, FUELS
What is a Fuel?
A fuel is a combustible substance containing carbon as the main
constituent which when burnt, i.e. on coming in contact and
reacting with oxygen or air gives large amount of heat that can be
used economically for domestic and industrial purposes.
Burning is called Combustion PEAT
Fuel + oxygen = carbon dioxide + water Peat, spongy material formed by the partial decomposition of
Example: organic matter, primarily plant material, in wetlands such as
Methane + oxygen = carbon dioxide + water Swamps, muskegs, bogs, fens, and moors.
Classification of Fuels
PRIMARY FUELS which occur in nature as such, e.g. coal, petroleum
and natural gas.
Tend to be non-renewable, and some of the most
commonly known primary fuels are fossil fuels.
A fossil fuel is an energy resource that is not replaceable
or is replaced very slowly by natural processes. Humans The formation of peat is the first step in the formation of
use fossil fuels faster than they can be naturally renewed. coal.
With increasing depth of burial and increasing
SECONDARY FUELS which are derived from the primary fuels, e.g. temperature, peat deposits are gradually changed to
coke, gasoline, coal gas, etc. lignite.
Are derived from primary fuels through some sort of distillation With increased time and higher temperatures, these low-
process. rank coals are gradually converted to subbituminous and
bituminous coal and under certain conditions to
anthracite.
Bio - Chemical Degradation of Dead Plants
Both primary and secondary fuels may be further classified based
upon their physical state as;
solid fuels
liquid fuels COALS
gaseous fuels
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What is a Fuel?
A fuel is a combustible substance containing carbon as the main
constituent which when burnt, i.e. on coming in contact and
reacting with oxygen or air gives large amount of heat that can be
used economically for domestic and industrial purposes.
Burning is called Combustion PEAT
Fuel + oxygen = carbon dioxide + water Peat, spongy material formed by the partial decomposition of
Example: organic matter, primarily plant material, in wetlands such as
Methane + oxygen = carbon dioxide + water Swamps, muskegs, bogs, fens, and moors.
Classification of Fuels
PRIMARY FUELS which occur in nature as such, e.g. coal, petroleum
and natural gas.
Tend to be non-renewable, and some of the most
commonly known primary fuels are fossil fuels.
A fossil fuel is an energy resource that is not replaceable
or is replaced very slowly by natural processes. Humans The formation of peat is the first step in the formation of
use fossil fuels faster than they can be naturally renewed. coal.
With increasing depth of burial and increasing
SECONDARY FUELS which are derived from the primary fuels, e.g. temperature, peat deposits are gradually changed to
coke, gasoline, coal gas, etc. lignite.
Are derived from primary fuels through some sort of distillation With increased time and higher temperatures, these low-
process. rank coals are gradually converted to subbituminous and
bituminous coal and under certain conditions to
anthracite.
Bio - Chemical Degradation of Dead Plants
Both primary and secondary fuels may be further classified based
upon their physical state as;
solid fuels
liquid fuels COALS
gaseous fuels
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