Formation of Coal

Formation of Coal

• Coal is formed from the remains of plants that have been buried for millions of years
• The process of coal formation involves:
  • Peatification: plant material is converted into peat
  • Coalification: peat is converted into lignite, then bituminous coal, and finally anthracite coal
• Factors affecting coal formation:
  • Temperature
  • Pressure
  • Time

Types of Coal

• Based on carbon content:
  • Lignite (25-35% carbon): brownish-black, soft, and high moisture content
  • Bituminous (35-86% carbon): black, hard, and high energy content
  • Anthracite (86-98% carbon): black, hard, and highest energy content
• Based on uses:
  • Thermal coal: used for electricity generation
  • Metallurgical coal: used for steel production

Uses of Petroleum

• Transportation fuels: gasoline, diesel, jet fuel
• Industrial uses: lubricants, greases, petrochemicals
• Energy generation: power plants, heating fuels
• Petrochemicals: plastics, synthetic fibers, fertilizers

Refining of Petroleum

• Crude oil is separated into various fractions based on boiling points
• Refining processes:
  • Distillation: separation of crude oil into fractions
  • Cracking: breaking down large molecules into smaller ones
  • Reforming: conversion of naphtha into high-octane gasoline
  • Isomerization: rearrangement of molecules to produce desired products

Environmental Impact of Fossil Fuels

• Air pollution: release of CO2, NOx, SOx, and particulate matter
• Climate change: contribution to global warming and climate change
• Water pollution: contamination of water sources through oil spills and leaks
• Land degradation: destruction of habitats and ecosystems through mining and drilling

Coke, Coal Tar, and Coal Gas

• Coke: a residue of coal used as a fuel and in steel production
• Coal Tar: a by-product of coal carbonization, used in:
  • Production of dyes, paints, and coatings
  • Road construction and paving
  • Medicinal applications
• Coal Gas: a mixture of gases produced during coal carbonization, used as:
  • Fuel for power generation and industrial processes
  • Feedstock for chemical synthesis
  • Source of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and methane

Formation of Coal

• Plants that have been buried for millions of years are converted into coal
• Coal formation involves two stages: peatification (plant material to peat) and coalification (peat to lignite, bituminous coal, and finally anthracite coal)
• Temperature, pressure, and time are factors that affect coal formation

Types of Coal

• Lignite coal: 25-35% carbon, brownish-black, soft, and high moisture content
• Bituminous coal: 35-86% carbon, black, hard, and high energy content
• Anthracite coal: 86-98% carbon, black, hard, and highest energy content
• Thermal coal is used for electricity generation
• Metallurgical coal is used for steel production

Uses of Petroleum

• Petroleum is used to produce transportation fuels like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel
• Industrial uses of petroleum include lubricants, greases, and petrochemicals
• Petroleum is used for energy generation in power plants and heating fuels
• Petrochemicals derived from petroleum are used to produce plastics, synthetic fibers, and fertilizers

Refining of Petroleum

• Crude oil is separated into various fractions based on boiling points
• Distillation is used to separate crude oil into fractions
• Cracking is a process that breaks down large molecules into smaller ones
• Reforming converts naphtha into high-octane gasoline
• Isomerization rearranges molecules to produce desired products

Environmental Impact of Fossil Fuels

• Burning fossil fuels releases CO2, NOx, SOx, and particulate matter, contributing to air pollution
• Fossil fuels contribute to global warming and climate change
• Oil spills and leaks can contaminate water sources
• Mining and drilling for fossil fuels can destroy habitats and ecosystems

Coke, Coal Tar, and Coal Gas

• Coke is a residue of coal used as a fuel and in steel production
• Coal tar is used in the production of dyes, paints, and coatings, and in road construction and paving
• Coal tar has medicinal applications
• Coal gas is used as a fuel for power generation and industrial processes
• Coal gas is used as a feedstock for chemical synthesis
• Coal gas is a source of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and methane

Learn about the process of coal formation from plant remains, factors affecting coal formation, and types of coal based on carbon content.