Coal Properties and Uses

Solid fossil fuel formed from decomposed plant material over millions of years.
Composed mainly of carbon, along with hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen.
Four main types: anthracite, bituminous, sub-bituminous, and lignite, ranked by carbon content and energy output.

Electricity Generation: Primary source for thermal power plants.
Industrial Fuel: Used in iron and steel manufacturing.
Coking Coal: Crucial for producing coke, a key component in steel production.
Chemical Production: Raw material for chemicals like ammonia and methanol.
Heating: Residential heating in some regions.

Formed during the Carboniferous Period (approximately 360–300 million years ago).
Early use dates back to ancient civilizations for heating and cooking.
Industrial Revolution saw a significant increase in coal mining and usage, fueling industry and transportation.
Environmental concerns have risen due to mining impacts and greenhouse gas emissions.

Surface Mining: Involves removing overburden to expose coal seams. Techniques include strip mining and open-pit mining.
Underground Mining: Involves tunneling to reach deep coal deposits. Methods include room-and-pillar and longwall mining.
Processing: Coal is crushed, cleaned, and sometimes chemically treated to enhance quality before use.

A liquid fossil fuel, primarily composed of hydrocarbons, formed from the remains of ancient marine organisms.
Exists in various forms: crude oil, natural gas, and petroleum products.

Transportation Fuel: Gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel for vehicles and aircraft.
Heating: Used in residential and industrial heating systems.
Lubricants: Production of oils and greases for machinery.
Plastics and Chemicals: Raw material for synthetic materials, fertilizers, and chemicals.
Electricity Generation: In some regions, used in power plants.

Formed millions of years ago under heat and pressure from organic material in sedimentary rock layers.
Use dates back to ancient civilizations for lighting (oil lamps).
The 19th century saw advancements in extraction and refining, leading to the modern oil economy.
Major geopolitical influence, particularly during the 20th century, often linked to conflicts and economic strategies.

Exploration: Geologists use seismic surveys and geological mapping to locate oil reserves.
Drilling: Involves drilling wells to extract crude oil. Techniques include rotary drilling and directional drilling.
Extraction: Methods vary from conventional (pumping) to enhanced recovery techniques (water flooding, gas injection).
Refining: Crude oil is processed in refineries to produce various petroleum products (gasoline, diesel, lubricants).

Solid fossil fuel formed from decomposed plant material over millions of years.
Mainly composed of carbon; includes hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen.
Four main types: anthracite (highest carbon content), bituminous, sub-bituminous, and lignite (lowest carbon content).

Primary source for electricity generation in thermal power plants.
Industrial fuel crucial for iron and steel manufacturing processes.
Coking coal is vital for producing coke, essential in steel production.
Serves as a raw material in the production of chemicals like ammonia and methanol.
Utilized for residential heating in certain regions.

Formed during the Carboniferous Period, approximately 360–300 million years ago.
Early use can be traced back to ancient civilizations for heating and cooking needs.
The Industrial Revolution significantly increased coal mining and utilization, powering industries and transportation networks.
Rising environmental concerns surround coal due to mining impacts and greenhouse gas emissions.

Surface mining removes overburden to access coal seams, with techniques such as strip mining and open-pit mining.
Underground mining involves tunneling to reach deep deposits, using methods like room-and-pillar and longwall mining.
Processing of coal includes crushing, cleaning, and sometimes chemical treatment to enhance quality.

A liquid fossil fuel composed primarily of hydrocarbons, formed from ancient marine organisms.
Exists in various forms including crude oil, natural gas, and derived petroleum products.

Key transportation fuel, including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel used in vehicles and aircraft.
Employed in residential and industrial heating systems.
Provides lubricants for machinery, including oils and greases.
Serves as a raw material for the production of plastics, fertilizers, and various chemicals.
Used in electricity generation in some regions.

Formed millions of years ago under heat and pressure from organic material in sedimentary rock layers.
Ancient civilizations utilized petroleum for lighting purposes (such as oil lamps).
The 19th century witnessed advancements in extraction and refining processes, leading to the establishment of the modern oil economy.
Major geopolitical implications during the 20th century, often associated with conflicts and economic strategies.

Exploration involves seismic surveys and geological mapping to locate oil reserves.
Drilling techniques include rotary drilling and directional drilling to extract crude oil from wells.
Extraction varies from conventional methods (pumping) to enhanced recovery techniques (like water flooding and gas injection).
Refining of crude oil occurs in refineries to produce various products including gasoline, diesel, and lubricants.