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About Fuel
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- Sources of heat energy include wood, charcoal, petrol, and kerosene, these are termed as fuels.
- A good fuel is one which:
- Is readily available and economical.
- Burns at a moderate rate in air.
- Produces ample heat and minimal undesirable residues.
- Different fuels come in solid, liquid, and gaseous forms.
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Fuel Efficiency and Environmental Impact: A Comprehensive Analysis of Combustible Energy Sources
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- Efficiency varies among fuels like cow dung, coal, and LPG.
- Calorific Value: The calorific value denotes the heat energy produced upon the complete combustion of 1 kg of fuel, expressed in kJ/kg.
- Environmental Impact of Fuels:
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- Burning of Wood: Produces significant smoke, causing respiratory issues.
- Using wood as fuel leads to the loss of essential substances from trees and contributes to deforestation.
- Carbon Fuels: They release unburnt carbon particles, leading to pollutants causing respiratory ailments.
- Carbon Monoxide: It is a hazardous gas produced from incomplete combustion, especially dangerous in closed rooms.
- Carbon Dioxide: Its increased concentration due to fuel combustion may lead to global warming.
- Sulphur Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxides: Released from burning coal, diesel, and petrol, these gases form acid rain, detrimental to crops, buildings, and soil.
- Transition to CNG: Diesel and petrol are being replaced by CNG in vehicles, as it’s a cleaner fuel emitting fewer harmful products.
- Global Warming: It is characterised by an increase in Earth’s atmospheric temperature, leading to polar glacier melting.
- Global warming results in sea-level rise, causing floods in coastal areas, with potential permanent submersion of low-lying regions.
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