what are fuels ? how they are classifieds State characteristics of group 12
Answers
What is Fuel?
Definition of fuel is any substance that can provide heat and produce energy when it is burned. This energy that releases is generally in the form of chemical energy or heat energy. The recent invention of nuclear technology means now even nuclear energy may be released due to nuclear fission or fusion.
This heat energy that fuels release is used for various purposes such as cooking, in heaters, for many industrial and manufacturing purposes. At other times we use an engine to convert this heat energy into mechanical energy. Like when we use petrol to run our cars. The oil which is used to as fuel in the engine is known as Fuel oil.
And then there is the fuel our bodies use. Every cell requires energy to perform its functions. They get this energy from organic molecules such as carbohydrates, fats etc. This process of using fuels is known as cellular respiration. And these organic molecules are obtained via nutrition, which is why we call food as the fuel of our bodies.
Learn more about Fuel cell here. A fuel cell is a device which can generate electricity by force of chemical reaction.
Examples of Fuel
Methanol.
Gasoline.
Diesel.
Natural gas.
Hydrogen.
Biodiesel.
Types of Fuel
Solid Fuel
Liquid Fuel
Fuel Gas
Biofuel
Fossil Fuel
Let us discuss them one by one:
Solid Fuel
These are solid materials that combust to produce energy. Some examples of Solid fuel are coal, charcoal, soot, wood etc. These were most likely the first fuels utilized by mankind. They were the fuels responsible for the invention of fire. Even today they have very widespread household and industrial uses. Charcoal is still a very important fuel source for all manufacturing products and power industry, And wood is still widely used in houses to cook food and provide warmth.
Learn about Fuel injection here.
Liquid Fuel
These are the fuels we burn to produce mechanical energy and kinetic energy. Most liquid fuels such as crude oil form due to exposure to intense heat and pressure to fossilized remains of plants and animals. Then there are biofuels in liquid form such as ethanol and hydrogen fuel. These fuels are easy to transport and relatively easy to use,
Fuel Gas
Fuel Gas as the name suggests are fuels that are in a gaseous state under normal conditions. Some examples are methane, carbon monoxide, propane etc. They have an advantage that they can be easily transported to the place of consumption. However, they also tend to leak from pipes and every precaution must be taken to avoid this. The best example would be the CNG gas that comes to your kitchen via pipes that you utilize for cooking. This is also known as Domestic fuel.
Biofuel
Biofuel can be solid, liquid or a gas. The only condition is that it must be derived from Biomass. So essentially it is fuel derived from living matter that can be replenished. One such example is ethanol made from sugarcane wastes
Fossil Fuel
These are conventional fuels. They are also non-replenishable. They have formed over thousands of years in the earth’s core where fossilized remains of animals and plants have been exposed to high pressure and temperatures. These are fast depleting and our dependence on them is a major concern for all of humanity.
Fuel meaning
Fuel Efficiency
Now you know that energy cannot be created or destroyed, All energy can only be transferred. Fuel also do not create energy. They only convert the chemical energy of the fuel to the kinetic energy with the help of the thermal energy supplied to them. The efficiency with which the fuel does this conversion of energy is known as fuel efficiency.
Now let us take a look at how we measure this fuel efficiency. Fuel efficiency is measured as the amount of heat that 1 kg of fuel (any fuel) produces on combustion. This is known as the calorific value of the fuel. The unit of measurement of fuel efficiency is kilojoules per kg, i.e. kJ/kg.