Fossil fuels Flashcards
Fossil fuel
a fuel formed from the burial and anaerobic decomposition of dead organic matter i.e. coal, oil and natural gas
Features of fossil fuels
high energy density, high temperatures achieved, non-renewable, available, easy to store and transport, established technologies, high environmental impact
Main uses of coal
Electricity generation, steel industry
Main uses of oil
Vehicle fuels, plastics production
Main uses of gas
Domestic and industrial heating, Electricity generation, fertiliser production
Coal gasification
deep sources of coal can be burnt underground to produce hydrogen, carbon monoxide and methane (syngas)
Coal liquefaction
production of liquid hydrocarbons from coal using solvents (more applicable to vehicle use)
Coal extraction
open cast or deep mining
Oil extraction
drilling into rocks which are porous and permeable and have trapped oil. A rig or platform is used to control extraction
Gas extraction
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
Environmental impacts of extraction of coal
habitat loss, noise, dust, turbid water, spoil heaps, acid mine drainage, methane releases
Environmental impacts of extraction of oil
oil pollution, seismic activity, habitat damage
Environmental impacts of fossil fuel combustion
Greenhouse gas production, CO2, climate change, particulates, sulphur dioxides, nitrogen oxides, acid precipitation, carbon monoxide, thermal pollution, ash disposal
Directional drilling
The drilling of wells for oil or gas that are not vertical. Can drill under existing infrastructure and through specific rock types
Enhanced gas recovery
The injection of CO2 or nitrogen into an existing gas field to maintain or increase pressure and flow of natural gas
Hydraulic fracturing (fracking)
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.
Concerns over fracking
chemicals in fracking fluid, contamination of groundwater/aquifers, triggering earthquakes, noise, habitat loss
Methane hydrate
A solid compound of methane trapped in ice crystals, often found in marine sediments.
Oil shales
Fine sedimentary rock that contains kerogen: a solid form of crude oil.
Tar sands
Very viscous crude oil found in sand.
Primary oil recovery
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.
Secondary oil recovery
The extraction of crude oil where pressure is maintained by pumping water or natural gas into the oil reservoir.
Tertiary oil recovery
The extraction of crude oil where the viscosity of the oil is reduced using methods such as the injection of steam, solvents or bacteria.
ROV
remotely operated vehicles, can be used to carry out seabed surveys and inspect equipment and pipelines
AUV
autonomous unmanned vehicles, can be used to carry out seabed surveys and inspect equipment and pipelines
CCS
Carbon capture and storage, the development of new technologies which can store CO2
New technologies gas
Enhanced gas recovery, Methane hydrates
New technologies oil
Secondary and tertiary oil recovery, directional drilling, use of ROVs and AUVs, subsea wells, Fracking, Tar sands, Oil shales
New technologies coal
coal gasification, coal liquefaction
