Carbon-Based Fuels

Chapter 1

Fuel

A substance that is used (usually combusted) to produce energy.

Fossil Fuel

Natural fuel formed under the Earth's crust from the decomposition of plant and/or animal remains over millions of years. Examples include coal, natural gas, and petrol.

Biofuel

Fuel sourced from organic matter. Examples include biogas, bioethanol, and biodiesel.

Non-Renewable Resource

A resource that cannot be replaced by natural processes within a relatively short period of time.

Renewable Resource

A resource capable of being replaced by natural processes within a relatively short period of time.

Coal Seam Gas

Natural gas sourced from coal deposits, composed mainly of methane.

Crude Oil

Viscous black mixture of hydrocarbons also known as petroleum.

Petrol

Liquid hydrocarbon fossil fuel purified from crude oil.

Chemical Decomposition

Process in which larger chemical species are broken into simpler molecules.

Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

Process of the warming of the Earth’s lower atmosphere due to the increased concentration of gases like carbon dioxide, water vapour, and methane in the air.

Sustainable

Can be produced at a rate that is greater than or equal to the rate of consumption without compromising future generations

Distillation

Process involving the conversion of a liquid into vapor that is then condensed back to liquid form.

Fermentation

Breakdown of a substance in the presence of microorganisms such as yeast.

Transesterification Reaction

A type of chemical reaction used to produce biodiesel and glycerol.

Triglyceride

Fat or oil composed of three fatty acid tails and a glycerol backbone.

Carbon Neutral

Describes a fuel that does not result in a net production of carbon dioxide from sourcing and consumption.

Biodiesel

Fuel produced by the transesterification of fats and oils in organic matter.

Bioethanol

Fuel produced by the anaerobic fermentation of glucose from organic matter.

Biogas

Gaseous fuel produced by the anaerobic breakdown of organic matter.

Carbohydrate

Any polymer made up of sugar monomers like glucose.

Cellular Respiration

Process of converting glucose into energy in the cells of living organisms.

Photosynthesis

Process of converting light energy into chemical energy in the cells of plants, algae, and certain bacteria.

Energy Content

Amount of heat energy (in joules or kilojoules) produced upon burning 1 gram of a pure substance.

Glucose (C6H12O6)

An important sugar that is absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to cells.

Metabolism

Chemical reactions in the body’s cells that change food into energy.

Enthalpy change (ΔH)

Overall change in the chemical energy of a system

Exothermic reaction

Chemical reaction accompanied by the release of energy (in the form of heat)

Endothermic reaction

Chemical reaction that absorbs energy (in the form of heat) from the surrounding environment

Combustion

Exothermic reaction between a fuel and oxygen gas

Complete combustion

Combustion reaction where oxygen gas is in excess, producing only carbon dioxide gas and water

Incomplete Combustion

Combustion reaction where oxygen supply is limited; able to produce a range of carbon-based products in addition to water

Heat of combustion

Amount of heat released by the complete combustion of a substance

Molar heat of combustion

Amount of heat, in kJ mol−1, released when 1 mole of a substance completely combusts in excess oxygen gas.

Thermochemical equation

Balanced chemical equation that includes the enthalpy change (ΔH) of the reaction, measured in kJ mol−1 or kJ

Activation energy (Ea)

Minimum amount of energy required for a reaction to proceed