Fossil Fuels Flashcards
How is coal formed?
Ancient decomposing matter
- trapped, under pressure then cooked
How is energy harvested from coal?
The concussion of coal produces steam, which is used to turn a turbine which produces electricity
What is natural gas?
Mixtures of hydrocarbons
How is natural gas formed?
Marine plankton
- buried, under pressure, turned into a liquid
What is the main component of natural gas?
- mostly methane
- little bit of ethanol
Where are methane hydrates found?
Ocean sediments and permafrost
How is compressed natural gas used?
- power some cars
- no organic particulates or hydrocarbons are released
- can leak methane ( increase global warming)
Liquified petroleum gas
- main component is propane
- can be stored more efficiently that natural gas because it’s readily liquified under pressure
What is petroleum?
- crude oil, mostly hydrocarbons of the Alkane series and naphthenes , PAH
Where do you find petroleum?
Rock formations in the ground, then has to be refined
What are the fractions of petroleum?
The different liquid solutions are separated by the range they boil at
Where does the remaining petroleum occur?
In pores of rocks as droplets ( non-flowing)
What is light oil?
Unbranded alkanes
Requires little refining
What is heavy oil?
Has a higher number of naphthenes and PAH
Requires more refining
Alberta oil sands
Bitumen
Open pit and in situ
Failing ponds and contaminants are toxic
