According to the law of conservation of energy, it can neither be made nor be destroyed, it can only be converted from one form to another. Thus, we cannot create power to do particular work. Therefore, we use particular molecules which assist us transfer one kind of energy to another form.
For instance, when we ignite paper with a matchstick, light is produced by the flame. If we investigate this closely, light energy is not created over there, it has just been produced due to the transfer of heat energy delivered by the matchstick into light energy. Thus, we always require a certain material to transform one form of energy into another for achieving various duties. We call such elements as fuels. In other words, any substance which upon combustion creates a usable amount of energy is known as fuel. Exemplar: fossil fuels, biogas, nuclear energy, etc.
Such materials can further be divided into
Renewable source of energy: which is inexhaustible. Example: Solar energy.
Non-renewable source of energy: one which is exhaustible. Example: Fossil Fuels.
Now, the energy created by burning paper is not adequate to run cars but energy produced by burning petrol is enough to do so. Thus, we may argue that each fuel releases its own set of energy i.e. all of them do not release the same quantity of energy upon combustion. The energy generated by burning one kg of fuel is known as its calorific value.
Thus, we can distinguish different fuels on the basis of their calorific value for their efficient consumption. Furthermore, each of them has a different amount with respect to another. Some are affordable while others are pricey. Therefore, we classify fuel as an ideal depending on numerous factors.
Some features of perfect fuel are:
- An excellent fuel is easily available.
- An ideal fuel is affordable.
- An ideal fuel is burned easily in the air at a modest rate
- It releases a significant amount of energy.
- It should not leave behind any undesired substances which can be hazardous to us.
- It should not affect the environment adversely.
Types of Fuels:
Fuels can be typically classified into two factors:
basis of their fuels state:
- Solid Fuels
- Liquid Fuels
- Gaseous Fuels
basis of their occurrence:
Natural Fuels , Artificial Fuels
Solid fuels
Solid fuels are fuels that are found in their solid state at room temperature and are used for a variety of applications. They were the first type of fuel known to have been utilised by man, and consisted mostly of wood for the purpose of starting a fire. Coal was yet another of the most influential fuels known to man, as it paved the way for the Industrial Revolution, enabling everything from the burning of furnaces to the operation of steam engines.
Advantages:
- Transporting and storing the product will be easier.
- Cost of manufacturing is low.
- The ignition temperature is moderate
Disadvantages:
- A significant amount of energy is squandered.
- The cost of handling is significant, and maintaining control is difficult.
- The ash content is considerable, and the clinker is formed as a result of the burning.
Liquid Fuel
Liquid Fuel is a type of fuel that is liquid in nature.
In the Earth’s crust, the majority of liquid fuels are formed from the fossilised remains of deceased plants and animals that have been subjected to high temperatures and pressures. Instead of the liquid fuel itself, the vapours from the liquid fuel are combustible.
Advantages:
- Increased calorific value per unit mass of mass.
- Burn without producing ash, clinkers, or other debris.
- It is now easier to maintain control over the combustion.
- Pipes make transportation and storage more convenient, and they may be stored forever without losing quality
- The amount of energy lost is far less.
- Reduce the amount of furnace space required for burning.
Disadvantages:
- When compared to solid fuel, the cost of liquid fuel is significantly higher.
- Storage methods are more expensive.
- Fire dangers are more likely to occur.
- For more efficient combustion, it is necessary to use specialised burning apparatus.
Gaseous Fuel
Gaseous Fuel is a type of fuel that is released into the atmosphere.
In addition to being produced from solid and liquid fuels, gaseous fuels can be found in the natural world. The majority of gaseous fuels are made up of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, or a combination of these elements.
Advantages:
- It is simple to transport goods using pipes.
- It is really simple to ignite combustion.
- They contain a higher concentration of heat.
- After each use, thoroughly clean the surface.
- There is no need for any specialised burner technology.
Disadvantages:
- It is necessary to have large storage tanks.
- The fact that they are very combustible means that the possibility of fire dangers is extremely high, and so extra safety precautions must be taken.
What are fossil fuels and how do they work?
Mineral and organic matter found in fossil fuels are the decomposed and decayed remains of plants and animals that have been subjected to decades of pressure and temperature beneath the earth’s crust. The majority of fossil fuels are composed of hydrocarbons. Both convenient and effective, they are widely used. They supply the calorific value that we require to meet our nutritional requirements. Despite the fact that they are readily available at the moment, they are a nonrenewable source of electricity. Using fossil fuels to generate electricity accounts for a significant portion of the world’s pollution index.
There are several types of fossil fuels:
- Coal
- Oil
- Natural Gas is a type of energy source.
- Fuel from Nuclear Power Plants
- Fuel from Nuclear Power Plants
A nuclear fuel is any material that is used to generate nuclear energy in any way. Technically speaking, any material can be converted into a source of radioactive energy. However, when it comes to practicality and feasibility, we choose materials that do not necessitate the use of extraordinary limitations to unleash nuclear energy
The majority of nuclear fuels contain heavy fissile materials, which are capable of causing nuclear fission when heated to high temperatures. When these fuels are attacked by neutrons, they are capable of producing neutrons when they break apart, which is why they are used in nuclear weapons. This makes it possible to have a self-sustaining chain reaction that releases energy at a regulated rate in a nuclear reactor or at a very quick uncontrolled rate in a nuclear weapon, depending on the situation
Uranium-235 (235U) and plutonium-239 (Putonium-239) are two prevalent types of nuclear fuel (239Pu).
Conclusion
Any material that may be made to react with other substances to release energy as thermal energy or to be used for work is referred to as a fuel. The notion was first applied to materials that could release chemical energy, but it has subsequently been expanded to include other types of heat energy, such as nuclear energy (via nuclear fission and nuclear fusion).
A heat engine can convert the heat energy released by fuel reactions into mechanical energy. Heat is sometimes prized for its own sake, such as for warmth, cooking, or industrial activities, as well as for the illumination that comes with combustion. Fuels are also employed in the cells of organisms, where organic molecules are oxidised to release usable energy in a process known as cellular respiration. Humans employ a variety of fuels, including hydrocarbons and similar organic compounds, but other substances, such as radioactive metals, are also used.
Other substances or technologies that store potential energy, such as those that immediately release electrical energy (such as batteries and capacitors) or mechanical energy, are compared with fuels (such as flywheels, springs, compressed air, or water in a reservoir).