Coal & Petroleum

Key Notes :

Coal:

1. Formation:
   • Coal is a fossil fuel that forms from the remains of plants that lived and died millions of years ago.
   • It is formed through the process of decay and accumulation of plant material in swampy conditions.
2. Types of Coal:
   • Peat: This is the initial stage of coal formation, consisting of partially decayed plant material.
   • Lignite: It is a soft coal with a low carbon content.
   • Bituminous: This is a harder form of coal with a higher carbon content.
   • Anthracite: It is the hardest and purest form of coal with the highest carbon content.
3. Uses of Coal:
   • Power Generation: Coal is a major source of electricity generation in many countries.
   • Industrial Processes: It is used in various industries for heating and in the production of steel.
   • Domestic Use: Some people still use coal for heating their homes.
4. Environmental Impact:
   • Burning coal releases carbon dioxide and other pollutants, contributing to air pollution and climate change.
   • Coal mining can lead to habitat destruction and water pollution.

Products from Coal:

• Electricity:
  • One of the primary uses of coal is for power generation. Coal is burned to produce steam, which turns turbines connected to generators, generating electricity.
• Steel Production:
  • Coal is a crucial ingredient in the production of steel. It is used as a reducing agent in the process of converting iron ore into iron in a blast furnace.
• Coke:
  • Coke is a solid carbonaceous material derived from coal. It is used as a fuel and a reducing agent in the production of iron and steel.
• Coal Gas:
  • Coal can be processed to produce coal gas, which is used for heating, lighting, and cooking.
• Tar and Coal Oils:
  • These by-products of coal processing find applications in the manufacturing of various chemicals and products, including road tar, pitch, and creosote.

Petroleum:

1. Formation:
   • Petroleum, also known as crude oil, is a fossil fuel that forms from the remains of marine microorganisms.
   • It is formed over millions of years through heat and pressure acting on the remains of dead organisms.
2. Extraction:
   • Petroleum is extracted from underground reservoirs through drilling.
   • Oil wells are drilled deep into the Earth to reach the reservoirs of oil.
3. Refining:
   • Crude oil is a mixture of various hydrocarbons. It is separated into different components through a process called refining.
   • The refined products include gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and various petrochemicals.
4. Uses of Petroleum:
   • Transportation: Gasoline and diesel are widely used as fuels for cars, trucks, airplanes, and ships.
   • Manufacturing: Petrochemicals derived from petroleum are used in the production of plastics, synthetic fibers, and other materials.
   • Heating: Petroleum products are used for heating in some homes and industries.
5. Environmental Impact:
   • Burning petroleum products releases carbon dioxide and contributes to air pollution.
   • Oil spills from transportation or drilling can have severe environmental consequences.

Products from Petroleum:

• Gasoline:
  • A major product derived from crude oil, gasoline is a primary fuel for internal combustion engines in cars and other vehicles.
• Diesel:
  • Diesel is another important fuel derived from petroleum, widely used in trucks, buses, trains, and ships.
• Jet Fuel:
  • Aviation fuels, including jet fuel, are refined from crude oil and are essential for air transportation.
• Lubricants:
  • Various lubricating oils and greases are produced from petroleum and are used to reduce friction in engines and machinery.
• Petrochemicals:
  • Crude oil is a rich source of petrochemicals, which are used as raw materials in the production of plastics, synthetic rubber, fibers, and a wide range of chemicals.
• Asphalt:
  • Asphalt, commonly used in road construction, is derived from petroleum.
• Heating Oil:
  • Distillates from crude oil are used as heating oil for homes and industries.
• Bitumen:
  • Bitumen, a thick and sticky substance, is used in the construction of roads and waterproofing.

Conservation:

1. Both coal and petroleum are finite resources, and their excessive use contributes to environmental problems.
2. The promotion of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, and sustainable practices is important for conserving these resources.

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