Definition Of Fuel
Fuels are any materials that store potential energy in forms that can be practicably released and used as heat energy
More About Fuel
- The concept originally applied solely to those materials storing energy in the form of chemical energy that could be released through combustion
- Sources of heat energy used for domestic and industrial purposes are called as fuels
- A good fuel is one which is readily available. It is cheap. It burns easily in air at a moderate rate. It produces large amount of heat. It does not leave behind any undesirable substances
- There s no fuel that could be considered an ideal fuel
- We should look for a fuel that fulfils most of the requirements for a particular use
- Fuels differ in their cost. Some fuels are cheaper than others
- The amount of heat energy produced on complete combustion of 1 kg of a fuel is called its calorific value
- The calorific value of a fuel is expressed in kilojoules per kg
- The calorific value of LPG is much higher than wood and charcoal
- Carbon fuels such as wood, charcoal, petroleum release unburnt carbon particles
- These particles are dangerous pollutants causing respiratory diseases such as asthma
- Incomplete combustion of these fuels gives carbon monoxide gas. It is a very poisonous gas
- It is dangerous to burn coal in a closed room. The carbon monoxide gas produced can kill a person sleeping in that room
- Combustion of fuels releases carbon dioxide, which causes global warming on increased concentration
- Burning of coal and diesel releases sulphur dioxide, which is extremely suffocating and corrosive gas
- Petrol engines give off oxides of nitrogen
- Oxides of sulphur and nitrogen dissolve in rainwater and form acid rains
- Acid rains are extremely harmful for crops, buildings and soil
- The use of petrol and diesel is replaced by CNG (Compressed natural gas)
- CNG releases much lesser amounts of harmful gases
- CNG is a cleaner fue
Applications of fuel:
- Solid fuels have been used by humanity for many years to create fire
- Coal was the fuel source which enabled the industrial revolution, from firing furnaces, to running steam engines
- Wood was also extensively used to run steam locomotives
- Many liquid fuels play a primary role in transportation and the economy
- Some common properties of liquid fuels are that they are easy to transport, and can be handled with relative ease
- Many fuel gases are composed of hydrocarbons
- Such gases are sources of potential heat energy or light energy that can be readily transmitted and distributed through pipes from the point of origin directly to the place of consumption
