Post on 31-Dec-2015
For thousands of years, people have used natural resources for
energy. For example, the earliest known use of fire dates back to
460,000 BC somewhere in China. What other sources of energy do
people use?
How are fossil fuels formed?
• Video: How are fossil fuels formed
• To minute 2:07
How do we use fossil fuels?
• Video: How fossil fuels are used to make electricity
Lignite
• “Youngest”• Most impurities• Provides the least
energy• Gives off the most
pollution and carbon dioxide
Anthracite
• “Oldest”• Least impurities• Provides the most
energy• Gives off the least
pollution and carbon dioxide
Problems with Strip-Mining
• Heavy Machinery and Removal of Earth causes massive habitat destruction
• Land where earth has been replaced or around spoils is unstable
• Erosion• Acid Drainage – minerals and coal react with
air to form Sulfuric Acid – creates acid run-off and can percolate into groundwater
Problems with Sub-Surface Mining
• Dangerous for Workers• Unstable Ground from filled in mine shafts• Groundwater pollution• Acid Drainage – minerals and coal react with
air to form Sulfuric Acid – creates acid run-off and can percolate into groundwater
Drilling for Oil and Oil Extraction
• Video: How are fossil fuels formed
• To about 7 min
Natural Gas
Biogenic• Pure Methane• From recently decomposed
materials in swamps, livestock feedlots, landfills, manure and wastewater sludge
• Can be used in electricity production
• Can be used in Natural Gas Pipelines IF refined
• Using Biogenic Methane from a Landfill
Thermogenic• Mixed with other chemicals
from crude oil• Forms in a similar way to
crude oil