Fossil fuels

Question 1

Fossil fuel

Answer 1

a fuel formed from the burial and anaerobic decomposition of dead organic matter i.e. coal, oil and natural gas

Question 2

Features of fossil fuels

Answer 2

high energy density, high temperatures achieved, non-renewable, available, easy to store and transport, established technologies, high environmental impact

Question 3

Main uses of coal

Answer 3

Electricity generation, steel industry

Question 4

Main uses of oil

Answer 4

Vehicle fuels, plastics production

Question 5

Main uses of gas

Answer 5

Domestic and industrial heating, Electricity generation, fertiliser production

Question 6

Coal gasification

Answer 6

deep sources of coal can be burnt underground to produce hydrogen, carbon monoxide and methane (syngas)

Question 7

Coal liquefaction

Answer 7

production of liquid hydrocarbons from coal using solvents (more applicable to vehicle use)

Question 8

Coal extraction

Answer 8

open cast or deep mining

Question 9

Oil extraction

Answer 9

drilling into rocks which are porous and permeable and have trapped oil. A rig or platform is used to control extraction

Question 10

Gas extraction

Answer 10

drilling into rocks which are porous and permeable and have trapped gas. Gas is often found above oil. A rig or platform is used to control extraction

Question 11

Environmental impacts of extraction of coal

Answer 11

habitat loss, noise, dust, turbid water, spoil heaps, acid mine drainage, methane releases

Question 11

Environmental impacts of extraction of oil

Answer 11

oil pollution, seismic activity, habitat damage

Question 12

Environmental impacts of fossil fuel combustion

Answer 12

Greenhouse gas production, CO2, climate change, particulates, sulphur dioxides, nitrogen oxides, acid precipitation, carbon monoxide, thermal pollution, ash disposal

Question 13

Directional drilling

Answer 13

The drilling of wells for oil or gas that are not vertical. Can drill under existing infrastructure and through specific rock types

Question 14

Enhanced gas recovery

Answer 14

The injection of CO2 or nitrogen into an existing gas field to maintain or increase pressure and flow of natural gas

Question 14

Hydraulic fracturing (fracking)

Answer 14

A method using high pressure fluids (with sand) to open cracks in fine-grained shales to allow trapped oil and gas to flow so it can be extracted.

Question 15

Concerns over fracking

Answer 15

chemicals in fracking fluid, contamination of groundwater/aquifers, triggering earthquakes, noise, habitat loss

Question 16

Methane hydrate

Answer 16

A solid compound of methane trapped in ice crystals, often found in marine sediments.

Question 17

Oil shales

Answer 17

Fine sedimentary rock that contains kerogen: a solid form of crude oil.

Question 18

Tar sands

Answer 18

Very viscous crude oil found in sand.

Question 19

Primary oil recovery

Answer 19

The extraction of crude oil where the oil is forced to the surface by the pressure of water beneath the oil or natural gas above or dissolved in the oil.

Question 20

Secondary oil recovery

Answer 20

The extraction of crude oil where pressure is maintained by pumping water or natural gas into the oil reservoir.

Question 21

Tertiary oil recovery

Answer 21

The extraction of crude oil where the viscosity of the oil is reduced using methods such as the injection of steam, solvents or bacteria.

Question 22

ROV

Answer 22

remotely operated vehicles, can be used to carry out seabed surveys and inspect equipment and pipelines

Question 23

AUV

Answer 23

autonomous unmanned vehicles, can be used to carry out seabed surveys and inspect equipment and pipelines

Question 24

CCS

Answer 24

Carbon capture and storage, the development of new technologies which can store CO2

Question 25

New technologies gas

Answer 25

Enhanced gas recovery, Methane hydrates

Question 26

New technologies oil

Answer 26

Secondary and tertiary oil recovery, directional drilling, use of ROVs and AUVs, subsea wells, Fracking, Tar sands, Oil shales

Question 27

New technologies coal

Answer 27

coal gasification, coal liquefaction