Non-rewnewable energy

Carboniferous Period

A geological period from about 350 to 300 million years ago characterized by warmer climates that supported extensive plant growth.

Fossil Fuels

Energy resources formed from the remains of ancient organisms, primarily through photosynthesis, buried in anaerobic conditions over millions of years.

Coal Composition

Coal consists of approximately 90% carbon, 4% hydrogen, 3% oxygen, and about 1% sulfur.

Types of Coal

The four main types of coal are lignite, subbituminous, bituminous, and anthracite, each formed from peat under varying heat and pressure conditions.

Lignite

The lowest grade of coal, high in moisture, and with the least amount of carbon.

Anthracite

The highest grade of coal, having the highest percentage of carbon and the lowest percentage of volatile materials.

Coal Power Generation Process

The process where pulverized coal is ignited in a boiler, generating steam to spin turbines connected to generators to produce electricity.

Pollution from Coal Power Plants

Coal-burning power plants are major sources of mercury contamination and various air pollutants including CO2, SO2, and NOx.

Clean Coal

Efforts to make coal burning cleaner through technology to sequester carbon emissions and manage ash waste.

Oil Formation

Oil is formed in warm shallow seas where organic material accumulated faster than it decomposed, predominantly during the Carboniferous period.

Natural Gas Composition

Natural gas consists primarily of 50-90% methane with smaller amounts of propane and butane.

Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking)

A technique used to extract natural gas from non-permeable rock formations by injecting high-pressure fluid.

Oil Spills Impact

Oil spills severely affect marine life, compromising the insulation and buoyancy of animals and suffocating bottom-dwelling organisms.

Energy Consumption Statistics

The richest 20 countries consume the majority of global fossil fuel production, with stark contrasts in consumption between wealthy and poor nations.