Booklet 1 – 3: Fuels Study Design Areas of Confusion
Booklet 1: Define a fuel, including the distinction between fossil fuels and biofuels
with
... [Show More] reference to origin and renewability (ability of a resources to be replaced by
natural processes with a relatively short period of time)
Definitions
Definitions Examples
Fossil Fuels Fuels for from the geological past from the
remains of living organism (mostly plant)
Coal, Crude
Oil, Petrol,
Diesel
Biofuels A fuel derived immediately from living
matter
Bioethanol,
Biogas,
Biodiesel
Renewability Origin of energy can be replaced rapidly (at
a rate faster than it is used up) by natural
process
Solar, Wind,
Biofuels
Booklet 1: Compare Fossil Fuels (coal, crude oil, petroleum gas, coal seam gas) and
biofuels (biogas, bioethanol, biodiesel) with reference to energy content, renewability
and environmental impacts related to sourcing and combustion.
Fossil Fuels Biofuels
Definition Fuels for from the geological past
from the remains of living
organism (mostly plant)
A fuel derived immediately from living
matter
Energy Content Usually more than biofuels in kJ g-1
Methane, ethane, propane, butane,
octane and ethyne are in the data
booklet
Usually less than biofuels in kJ g-1
Methane, Methanol and Ethanol in data
booklet
Renewability Non-renewable, the stores are
finite and will runout at some
point.
Renewable, can be continuously
replaced or produced by natural
processes. At least as fast as it is
consmed
Environmental
Impacts (Sourcing)
Need to mine or drill underground
ruining habitat
Need to clear land to produce on a
wide scale.
When plants are growing they consume
CO2 from the atmosphere.
When we use waste biomass, we are
gaining a use from something that was
originally waste.
Environmental
Impacts
(Combustion)
Release CO2 (greenhouse gas) into
the atmosphere. This is carbon
that we are putting into the
atmosphere that has been stored
and developed for millions of year.
Contributing to global warming.
Still release CO2 to the atmosphere
when burnt, but lower net CO2 because
the plants consume CO2 during
photosynthesis when they are growing.
Not carbon neutral though, because
energy is used in growing and
transporting these fuels.
This study source was downloaded by 100000824368823 from CourseHero.com on 10-07-2022 04:55:00 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/139764979/SOLUTIONS-2020-Unit-3-Area-of-Study-1-Revision-Notes-1docx/ [Show Less]