Formation of Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels

are basically remains of plants and animals that died millions of years ago. They are the world’s primary energy source that provide most of the energy support in transportation, electricity, and industries. They are natural and finite resources that are very abundant and has a cheaper cost production compared to other resources present on Earth. They are considered as non-renewable energy source as they take millions of years to form.

What are fossil fuels made up of?

Fossil fuels are made up of hydrocarbons.

3 Main Types of Fossil Fuels

Coal, Oil, Natural Gas

Coal

Is an important and primary fossil fuel present on earth. Coal resources are found predominantly where forest trees, plants and marshes existed before being buried and compressed millions of years ago.

At what percentage do the philippine use coal?

Philippines uses approximately 50% coal resource to produce energy and electricity. There are four major ranks of coal.

Where do coals normally occur?

normally occurs in rock strata as layers or veins called coal beds or coal seams.

The process of coal formation is called?

coalification.

What is the most fovorable condition for the formation of coal?

The most favorable conditions for the formation of coal occurred 360 million to 290 million years ago. (Carboniferous period)

What is the two components that affects where coalification happens?

The temperature and the location where coalification happens affect the rate of it and the

quality of coal.

Coal Formation

It all starts with a swamp on the edge of sedimentary basin, such as a lagoon or a lake. Tectonic activity or other natural phenomenon raises the level of water, covering and killing the vegetation. Plant debris accumulates and is buried under layers of mud and sand in a process known as sedimentation. Sedimentation will happen for a long period of time which will cover the plant debris and slow down the decomposition. Pressure due to the continuous sedimentation and heat under the Earth gradually cook plant debris to coal.

Peat

The earliest stage, not fully coal, with high moisture content and has the lowest carbon content.

Lignite

Also called brown coal; still relatively low carbon, but more than peat.

Sub-bituminous coal

Intermediate carbon content; less moisture than lignite.

Bituminous coal

High carbon content, low moisture; widely used in industry.

Anthracite

The highest grade of coal; very high carbon content, very low moisture; burns the cleanest and hottest.

Oil is liquid fossil fuels while natural gas is gaseous.

They are both made up of hydrocarbons. The formation of oil and natural gas have a great similarity.

Oil and Natural Gas Formation

When a living organism dies, it is generally recycled in one of two ways 1. It is eaten by predators, scavengers or bacteria. 2. It oxidizes.

Oil and Natural Gas Formation, Transported by water,

this tiny proportion sinks to the bottom of ocean or lakes.

Oil and Natural Gas Formation Over time,

this mixture accumulates and hardens.

Oil and Natural Gas Formation The weight of

accumulating sediment very slowly pushes the source rock under the Earth’s crust.

Oil and Natural Gas Formation

At a desired depth and temperature,

kerogen starts to release oil. Further release of temperature will turn oil into gas

Oil and Natural Gas Formation A hydrocarbon deposit

can only form in reservoir rock. Hydrocarbon molecules may accumulate in large amount

quantities in this porous, permeable rocks.