Chemistry for Engineers

FUELS AND
COMBUSTION
Discussion Post #8

Mikaela Quibot
BSCE 1A
Fuel is a combustible substance with carbon as
its primary component that, when burned
properly, produces a significant amount of heat
that can be used profitably for both residential
and industrial uses.

As one of our
primary
source of
energy, fuel Solid Fuels
varies as
natural and
artificial fuel
which also
comes as
solid, liquid or
gaseous fuel.
Solid fuels
such as wood,
charcoal and
coal; liquid
fuels like Liquid Fuels
alcohol,
petroleum
and diesel;
and gaseous
fuel namely
natural gas,
coal gas, and
LPG are
examples of
fuels that are
commonly Gaseous Fuels
used in
different
fields or
areas.
When fuels burn they
release heat energy and
light energy to the
surroundings in exothermic
reactions. Fuel energy
reactions can either be
exothermic where the
energy is being released or
endothermic where the
energy is being absorbed.

Liquid and gaseous fuels are more pricey than

the solid fuels as most of the liquid and gaseous
fuels are artificial fuels which are derived from
natural fuels that are in solid form.

Another source of energy are fossil fuels which

are compounds made up of carbon and
hydrogen only. The bonds between the
hydrogen and carbon atoms store energy and
by burning the compounds in the presence of
oxygen, the bonds are then broken and the
stored energy is converted to heat energy
where carbon dioxide is being produced in the
process.
Fossil fuels are formed from the decomposition
of plants and animals from millions of years ago
thus it is names fossil fuels. With this being said,
it is a non-renewable energy which means that
it's supply is limites and will eventually run out.
With it being used to produce energy ay home,
provide electricity in large power stations and
power engines, it is crucial that we are able to
conserve these kinds of fuels.

As these fuels provide us a lot

of benefits, it also bring
negative impacts in our
environment. Our land is being
polluted as the unearthing,
processing, and moving
underground oil, gas, and coal
deposits take an enormous toll
on our landscapes and
ecosystems thus causing land
degradation. As coal mining
operations wash toxic runoff
into streams, rivers, and lakes
and all drilling, fracking, and
mining operations generate
enormous volumes of
wastewater, which can be laden
with heavy metals, radioactive
materials, and other pollutants,
our water forms absorb as much
as a quarter of all man-made
carbon emissions thus polluting
it. In addition fossil fuels emit
harmful air pollutants long
before they’re burned as it
produce large quantities of
carbon dioxide and arbon
emissions trap heat in the
atmosphere and lead to climate
change.