Science-Fossil Fuel-Coal and Petroleum-Sainik School Class 9 Coaching Center Study Material Notes Jalandhar-ANAND CLASSES

ANAND CLASSES - Science-Fossil Fuel-Coal and Petroleum-Sainik School Entrance Exam for Class 9 Coaching Center Study Material Notes in Jalandhar

ANAND CLASSES, under the guidance of Er. Neeraj Anand, equips students with comprehensive study material on fossil fuel : coal and petroleum for the Sainik School Entrance Exam (Class 9).

By unraveling the science behind fossil fuels, students gain the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their Sainik School Entrance Exam preparation. Access the study material today and embark on your journey towards success with ANAND CLASSES.

What are fossil fuels ?

Fossil fuels are natural energy sources formed from the decomposed remains of plants and animals that died over a million years ago. 

The decomposing matter is buried deep underneath the surface over time and is exposed to heat and pressure in the earth’s crust for millions of years. 

The fossil remains slowly got transformed into fuels after being trapped under intense heat and pressure for many millions of years. 

Fossil fuels consist mainly of carbon-rich fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas and these are exhaustible natural resources.

Fossil Fuel : Coal

Coal is a complex mixture of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen compounds. 

Coal is a black or brownish sedimentary rock with a high carbon content that is typically used as fuel. It belongs to the category of solid fossil fuels because of its ignition property. It consists of 65-95% carbon. 

The other constituents include hydrogen, sulphur, oxygen and nitrogen.

Coal is formed from the remains of plants which lived millions of years ago in tropical regions of the Earth. Due to natural processes such as flooding, these trees got buried under the soil. With time, more and more soil got deposited over them. The temperature rose with depth. Under the conditions of high temperature and pressure over a long period of time, these remains of dead vegetation got converted to coal.

The process of conversion of dead vegetation to coal is termed as coalification.

Based on the degree of coalification that it underwent, coal can be classified into several groups which are as follows.

Types of Coal

Coal can be divided into four types, based on its carbon content and ignition rate.

• Peat: Peat is a light brown in color and it is a heterogeneous mixture of partially decomposed organic matter that has accumulated in a water-saturated environment in the absence of oxygen. Peat is used for its highly absorbent property towards fuel. The carbon content in peat is less than 60%. It contains minimum carbon content and produces less heat and more smoke on burning. Its calorific value is 10 to 15 kJ/g.

• Lignite: When peat gets transformed into a rock, it forms lignite. It is the lowest quality coal available. It is mainly used for electric power generation. It has a carbon content of nearly 60% – 70%. Lignite coal is also high in moisture content. It is known as soft coal. It is also brown in color and contains more carbon than peat. Its calorific value is 15 to 20 kJ/g.

• Bituminous: When lignite is subjected to high temperature and pressure, the process of organic metamorphism takes place, where the oxygen and hydrogen content of the matter decreases, thus increasing the carbon content. The carbon content of bituminous coal ranges from 77-87%. It is used as a fuel in steam-electric power generation and for heat and power applications in manufacturing industries. It is the common household coal.  Its calorific value is 30 to 35 kJ/g  and has a low moisture.

• Anthracite: Anthracite is considered the highest quality of hardest coal with low in moisture content. It has a carbon content of 87% or more. It is hard and glossy in nature and has the highest heating value. It is the hardest coal containing maximum carbon. It burns with difficulty due to presence of very low volatile matter. Therefore it is not used for household purposes, it is mainly used for industrial purposes. Its calorific value is 28 to 30 kJ/g. It is mainly used for residential and commercial purposes. Another interesting feature of anthracite coal is that while burning it produces very less smoke as compared to other types of coal and petrol.

Destructive distillation of Coal

The process of heating coal in the absence of air is called the destructive distillation of coal. 

Coal contains a number of elements such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur. 

When coal is heated in the absence of air, a number of products are obtained. 

The main products obtained by the destructive distillation of coal are as follows:

(1) Coke         (2) Coal tar         (3) Coal gas

(1) Coke: contains 98 % carbon. It is porous, tough, black and the purest form of coal. 

Like charcoal, it Is a good fuel and burns without smoke. It is largely employed as a reducing agent in the extraction of metals from their ores. It is also used in making fuel gases like water gas and producer gas.

(2) Coal tar (liquid): Coal tar is a mixture of different carbon compounds. It thick, black liquid with unpleasant smell. The fractional distillation of coal tar gives many chemical substances which are used in the preparation of dyes, explosives, paints, synthetics fibers, drugs, and pesticides. Some of these chemical substances are benzene, toluene, phenol and aniline. Naphthalene balls used to repel moth and other insects are also obtained from coal tar.         

Note: These days bitumen a petroleum product is used in place of coal tar for metaling the roads.

(3) Coal Gas: Coal gas is mainly a mixture of hydrogen, methane and carbon monoxide. The gases present in coal gas are combustible and hence, it is an excellent fuel. It has high calorific value. It was used for lighting houses, factories and streets in Mumbai until 1950. It was also used for cooling earlier.

Petroleum 

It is dark brownish to green coloured viscous liquid fossil fuel. It consists of 93-97% carbon. The other constituents include hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulphur. Petroleum is formed from the remains of zooplankton and algae. Vast quantities of these remains settled at the lake or sea bottoms upon mixing with sediments got buried in the absence of oxygen. With further layers settling to the sea or lake bed, they got subjected to high temperature and pressure. Over time, the organic matter changes to a waxy material known as kerogen. 

Kerogen when applied with more heat converts into liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons. Formation of petroleum occurs from the hydrocarbon with various reactions at high temperature and pressure.

In a gaseous state, petroleum is known as natural gas and as bitumen in solid form.

It has strong foul smell due to the presence of sulphur containing compounds in it. It is commonly called as crude oil. The economy of a nation depends to a great extent on petroleum wealth, that's why petroleum is called the black gold.

Its name is derived from Latin words Petra (meaning rock) and O1eum (meaning oil). Thus, petroleum literally means "rock oil".

Crude petroleum oil is further distilled to obtain gasoline (petrol), kerosene, butane, diesel, LPG etc. apart from asphalt and other chemical reagents.

Uses of petroleum

(1) Petroleum products are used as fuels.

(2) Lubricating oils, and vaseline are used as lubricants.

(3) Paraffin wax, products of petroleum, is used for manufacturing candles, polishes, waxed paper, water proofing, etc.

(4) Some of the by-products of petroleum after purification are used in the preparation of medicines, ointments, face creams and cosmetics.

Uses and Advantages of Fossil Fuels

Fossils represent the remains or traces of once-living organisms. Broadly, the four types of fossils are: Body, Molecular, Trace & Carbon Fossils. Fossil fuels are used to fuel cars and aeroplanes, power electricity plants, make medicines, cosmetics, plastics, synthetic fibres and lubricants and also in the manufacture of products for everyday use such as toothpaste, tires etc.

Disadvantages of Fossil Fuels

Some major disadvantages of fossil fuels are:

Environmental hazards

When fossil fuels are burnt, carbon dioxide is released, which is one of the primary gases responsible for global warming. The rise in the temperature of Earth, melting of polar ice caps and flooding in low-lying areas are the major consequences.

Acid Rain

Sulphur dioxide is released when fossil fuels are burnt. It is one of the main causes of acid rain, which results in the destruction of crops and monuments made up of marble and bricks.

Impact on aquatic life

Oil spills resulting from the drowning of oil tankers and ships cause water pollution in seas and oceans. This, in turn, results in the destruction of aquatic life and creates an imbalance in the ecosystem.

Non-renewability

The reserve for fossil fuels is limited, and they are being extracted at an exorbitant rate and are expected to be finished in the next 30-40 years.

About ANAND CLASSES

Fossil fuels, including coal and petroleum, constitute the backbone of global energy production and industrialization. Understanding the science behind these vital resources is crucial for students preparing for the Sainik School Exam.

ANAND CLASSES, a premier coaching center in Jalandhar, led by esteemed faculty Er. Neeraj Anand, provides comprehensive study material on coal and petroleum, empowering students to excel in their exam preparation.

Exploring the Wonders of Coal and Petroleum:

The study material delves into the fascinating world of fossil fuels, focusing on the formation, extraction, utilization, and environmental impact of coal and petroleum.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Formation of Coal and Petroleum: Students learn about the geological processes involved in the formation of coal and petroleum from ancient organic matter. The study material explains how coal and petroleum deposits are created over millions of years through heat, pressure, and biological decay.

2. Types and Properties: ANAND CLASSES' study material introduces students to the different types of coal (lignite, sub-bituminous, bituminous, and anthracite) and petroleum products (crude oil, gasoline, diesel, etc.). Each type is explored in terms of its properties, composition, and energy content.

3. Extraction and Refining: The study material provides insights into the methods used to extract coal and petroleum from the Earth's crust, such as mining, drilling, and fracking. Students also learn about the refining process of crude oil into various petroleum products.

4. Utilization and Energy Production: ANAND CLASSES' study material explores the diverse uses of coal and petroleum, including electricity generation, transportation, heating, and industrial processes. Students gain an understanding of the technologies and infrastructure involved in harnessing energy from fossil fuels.

5. Environmental Impact: The study material addresses the environmental consequences of fossil fuel consumption, such as air and water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and climate change. Students learn about the importance of adopting cleaner and sustainable energy alternatives.

Faculty Expertise:

Er. Neeraj Anand, with his wealth of experience and expertise in teaching science and technology, leads ANAND CLASSES' faculty team in providing high-quality education and guidance to students. His dedication to student success and deep understanding of the subject matter make ANAND CLASSES a trusted choice for Sainik School exam preparation.