Elcano Building Utilities 2 Mechanical and Electrical Quiz

Coal Types and Characteristics

• Anthracite is the highest rank of coal, characterized by a high percentage of fixed carbon.
• Bituminous coal is distinguished by its higher carbon content compared to sub-bituminous and lignite coals, making it more efficient for energy production.
• Lignite coal has the least concentration of carbon among coal types.

Coal Usage and Environmental Concerns

• Bituminous coal is the most common type used in electricity generation in the United States.
• The primary environmental concern associated with coal is its contribution to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Non-Renewable Energy Characteristics

• A main limitation of non-renewable energy sources like coal is their finite availability and the environmental degradation they cause during extraction and use.
• Coal is considered a non-renewable energy source because it takes millions of years to form and is being consumed at a faster rate than it can be replenished.

Geological Composition and Formation

• Coal is primarily composed of carbon-rich organic material that derives from ancient plant life.
• The plants that formed coal lived during the Carboniferous geological period, which occurred approximately 359 to 299 million years ago.

Coal Energy Generation Process

• In coal energy generation, water is converted into steam through a process of heating in a boiler, driven by burning coal.
• Coal is categorized as a fossil fuel because it originates from decayed plant material that has been subjected to heat and pressure over geological time periods.

Oil and Gas Characteristics

• The main product derived from oil is gasoline, used primarily as fuel in vehicles.
• Crude oil cannot be used immediately as an energy source after extraction due to the need for refining to separate it into various fuels and byproducts.
• Natural gas primarily consists of methane, which is crucial for combustion processes.

Fuel Processing and Use

• The refining process involves cleaning and separating crude oil into fuels like gasoline, diesel, and other byproducts.
• Propane is considered a hydrocarbon fuel and is commonly used in heating and cooking applications.
• Natural gas is mainly utilized in heating applications due to its efficiency and cleaner-burning properties compared to other fossil fuels.