fuel
Information about fuel
Fuel is any material that is burnt or altered in order to obtain energy.[1] Fuel releases its energy either through chemical means, such as combustion, or nuclear means, such as nuclear fission or nuclear fusion. An important property of a useful fuel is that its energy can be stored to be released only when needed, and that the release is controlled in such a way that the energy can be harnessed to produce work.
All carbon-based life forms—from microorganisms to animals and humans—depend on and use fuels as their source of energy. Their cells engage in an enzyme-mediated chemical process called metabolism that converts energy from food or solar power into a form that can be used to sustain life. [2] Additionally, humans employ a variety of techniques to convert one form of energy into another, producing usable energy for purposes that go far beyond the energy needs of a human body. The application of energy released from fuels ranges from heat to cooking and from powering weapons to combustion and generation of electricity.
Perhaps the earliest fuel that was employed by humans is wood. Evidence shows controlled fire was used up to 1.5 million years ago at Swartkrans, South Africa. It is unknown which hominid species first used fire, as both Australopithecus and an early species of Homo were present at the site.[3] As a fuel, wood has remained in use up until the present day, although it has been superseded for many purposes by other sources. Wood has a relatively low energy density of 10–20 MJ/kg, which is less than half that of gasoline.[4]
Recently biofuels have been developed for use in automotive transport (for example E10 fuel).
Modern large-scale industrial development is based on fossil fuel use, which has largely supplanted water-driven mills, as well as the combustion of wood or peat for heat. With global modernization in the 20th and 21st centuries, the growth in energy production from fossil fuels, especially gasoline derived from oil, is one of the causes of major regional and global conflicts and environmental issues. A global movement toward the generation of renewable energy is therefore under way to help meet the increased global energy needs.
The burning of fossil fuels by humans is the largest source of emissions of carbon dioxide, which is one of the greenhouse gases that enhances radiative forcing and contributes to global warming. The atmospheric concentration of CO2, a greenhouse gas, is increasing, raising concerns that solar heat will be trapped and the average surface temperature of the Earth will rise in response.
Nuclear fuel is any material that is consumed to derive nuclear energy. Technically speaking this definition includes all matter because any element will under the right conditions release nuclear energy, the only materials that are commonly referred to as nuclear fuels though are those that will produce energy without being placed under extreme duress.
The most common type of nuclear fuel used by humans is heavy fissile elements that can be made to undergo nuclear fission chain reactions in a nuclear fission reactor; nuclear fuel can refer to the material or to physical objects (for example fuel bundles composed of fuel rods) composed of the fuel material, perhaps mixed with structural, neutron moderating, or neutron reflecting materials. The most common fissile nuclear fuels are 235U and 239Pu, and the actions of mining, refining, purifying, using, and ultimately disposing of these elements together make up the nuclear fuel cycle, which is important for its relevance to nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons.
In stars that undergo nuclear fusion, fuel consists of atomic nuclei that can release energy by the absorption of a proton or neutron. In most stars the fuel is provided by hydrogen, which can combine together to form helium through the proton-proton chain reaction or by the CNO cycle. When the hydrogen fuel is exhausted, nuclear fusion can continue with progressively heavier elements, although the net energy released is lower because of the smaller difference in nuclear binding energy. Once iron-56 or nickel-56 nuclei are produced, no further energy can be obtained by nuclear fusion as these have the highest nuclear binding energies.[7]
World Bank reported that the USA was the top fuel importer in 2005 followed by the EU and Japan.
Coal was first used as a fuel around 1000 BCE in China. With the development of the steam engine in 1769, coal came into more common use as a power source. Coal was later used to drive ships and locomotives. By the 19th century, gas extracted from coal was being used for street lighting in London. In the 20th century, the primary use of coal is for the generation of electricity, providing 40% of the world's electrical power supply in 2005.[10]
All carbon-based life forms—from microorganisms to animals and humans—depend on and use fuels as their source of energy. Their cells engage in an enzyme-mediated chemical process called metabolism that converts energy from food or solar power into a form that can be used to sustain life. [2] Additionally, humans employ a variety of techniques to convert one form of energy into another, producing usable energy for purposes that go far beyond the energy needs of a human body. The application of energy released from fuels ranges from heat to cooking and from powering weapons to combustion and generation of electricity.
Energy sources
All currently-known fuels ultimately derive their energy from a small number of sources. Much of the chemical energy produced by life forms, such as fossil fuels, is derived from the utilization of solar energy through photosynthesis. Solar energy in turn is generated by the thermonuclear fusion process at the core of the Sun. The radioactive isotopes used as fuel to power nuclear plants was formed in supernova explosions.Chemical
Chemical fuels are substances that generate energy by reacting with substances around them, most notably by the process of oxidization. These substances were the first fuels to be known and used by humans and are still the primary type of fuel used today.Biofuels
Perhaps the earliest fuel that was employed by humans is wood. Evidence shows controlled fire was used up to 1.5 million years ago at Swartkrans, South Africa. It is unknown which hominid species first used fire, as both Australopithecus and an early species of Homo were present at the site.[3] As a fuel, wood has remained in use up until the present day, although it has been superseded for many purposes by other sources. Wood has a relatively low energy density of 10–20 MJ/kg, which is less than half that of gasoline.[4]
Recently biofuels have been developed for use in automotive transport (for example E10 fuel).
Fossil fuels
Modern large-scale industrial development is based on fossil fuel use, which has largely supplanted water-driven mills, as well as the combustion of wood or peat for heat. With global modernization in the 20th and 21st centuries, the growth in energy production from fossil fuels, especially gasoline derived from oil, is one of the causes of major regional and global conflicts and environmental issues. A global movement toward the generation of renewable energy is therefore under way to help meet the increased global energy needs.
The burning of fossil fuels by humans is the largest source of emissions of carbon dioxide, which is one of the greenhouse gases that enhances radiative forcing and contributes to global warming. The atmospheric concentration of CO2, a greenhouse gas, is increasing, raising concerns that solar heat will be trapped and the average surface temperature of the Earth will rise in response.
Nuclear
Nuclear fuel is any material that is consumed to derive nuclear energy. Technically speaking this definition includes all matter because any element will under the right conditions release nuclear energy, the only materials that are commonly referred to as nuclear fuels though are those that will produce energy without being placed under extreme duress.
Fission
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Nuclear fuel pellets are used to create nuclear energy.
Fusion
Fuels that produce energy by the process of nuclear fusion are currently not utilized by man but are the main source of fuel for stars, the most powerful energy sources in nature. Fusion fuels tend to be light elements such as hydrogen which will combine easily.In stars that undergo nuclear fusion, fuel consists of atomic nuclei that can release energy by the absorption of a proton or neutron. In most stars the fuel is provided by hydrogen, which can combine together to form helium through the proton-proton chain reaction or by the CNO cycle. When the hydrogen fuel is exhausted, nuclear fusion can continue with progressively heavier elements, although the net energy released is lower because of the smaller difference in nuclear binding energy. Once iron-56 or nickel-56 nuclei are produced, no further energy can be obtained by nuclear fusion as these have the highest nuclear binding energies.[7]
World trade
)
Fuel imports in 2005
Use over time
The first use of fuel was the combustion of wood or sticks by Homo erectus near 2 million years ago.[8] Throughout the majority of human history fuels derived from plants or animal fat were the only ones available for human use. Charcoal, a wood derivative, has been used since at least 6,000 BCE for smelting metals. It was only supplanted by coke, derived from coal, as the forests started to became depleted around the 18th century. Charcoal briquettes are now commonly used as a fuel for barbecue cooking.[9]Coal was first used as a fuel around 1000 BCE in China. With the development of the steam engine in 1769, coal came into more common use as a power source. Coal was later used to drive ships and locomotives. By the 19th century, gas extracted from coal was being used for street lighting in London. In the 20th century, the primary use of coal is for the generation of electricity, providing 40% of the world's electrical power supply in 2005.[10]
See also
- List of energy topics
- Alcohol fuel
- Ammonia
- Alternative fuels
- Battery
- Biomass
- Biofuel
- Combustion
- Energy density
- Fuel cell
- Fossil fuel
- Fuel oil
- Fuel poverty
- Hydrocarbon
- Hydrogen
- Liquid fuels
- Methane
- Oxidation
- Propellant
- Solid fuel
- World energy resources and consumption
Footnotes
1. ^ "Fuels". World Encyclopedia. (2005). Oxford University Press. Retrieved on 2007-9-12.
2. ^ "Metabolism," Encyclopaedia Britannica, retrieved August 17, 2006.
3. ^ Rincon, Paul. "Bones hint at first use of fire", BBC News, March 22, 2004. Retrieved on 2007-09-11.
4. ^ Elert, Glenn (2007). Chemical Potential Energy. The Physics Hypertextbook. Retrieved on 2007-09-11.
5. ^ Dr. Irene Novaczek. Canada's Fossil Fuel Dependency. Elements. Retrieved on 2007-01-18.
6. ^ Fossil fuel. EPA. Retrieved on 2007-01-18.
7. ^ Fewell, M. P. (1995). "The atomic nuclide with the highest mean binding energy". American Journal of Physics 63 (7): 653-658.
8. ^ Leakey, Richard (1994). Origin of Humankind. Basic Books. ISBN 0465031358.
9. ^ Hall, Loretta (2007). Charcoal Briquette. How Products Are Made. Retrieved on 2007-10-01.
10. ^ History of Coal Use. World Coal Institute. Retrieved on 2006-08-10.
2. ^ "Metabolism," Encyclopaedia Britannica, retrieved August 17, 2006.
3. ^ Rincon, Paul. "Bones hint at first use of fire", BBC News, March 22, 2004. Retrieved on 2007-09-11.
4. ^ Elert, Glenn (2007). Chemical Potential Energy. The Physics Hypertextbook. Retrieved on 2007-09-11.
5. ^ Dr. Irene Novaczek. Canada's Fossil Fuel Dependency. Elements. Retrieved on 2007-01-18.
6. ^ Fossil fuel. EPA. Retrieved on 2007-01-18.
7. ^ Fewell, M. P. (1995). "The atomic nuclide with the highest mean binding energy". American Journal of Physics 63 (7): 653-658.
8. ^ Leakey, Richard (1994). Origin of Humankind. Basic Books. ISBN 0465031358.
9. ^ Hall, Loretta (2007). Charcoal Briquette. How Products Are Made. Retrieved on 2007-10-01.
10. ^ History of Coal Use. World Coal Institute. Retrieved on 2006-08-10.
References
- Ratcliff, Brian et al. (2000). Chemistry 1. Cambridge University press. ISBN 0-521-78778-5.
Further reading
.This is not an image, but rather a PDF file. Combustion or burning is a complex sequence of exothermic chemical reactions between a fuel and an oxidant accompanied by the production of heat or both heat and light in the form of either a glow or flames.
..... Click the link for more information.Nuclear fission is the splitting of the nucleus of an atom into parts (lighter nuclei) often producing photons (in the form of gamma rays), free neutrons and other subatomic particles as by-products.
..... Click the link for more information.nuclear fusion is the process by which multiple atomic particles join together to form a heavier nucleus. It is accompanied by the release or absorption of energy. Iron and nickel nuclei have the largest binding energies per nucleon of all nuclei and therefore are the most stable.
..... Click the link for more information.In physics, mechanical work is the amount of energy transferred by a force. Like energy, it is a scalar quantity, with SI units of joules. Heat conduction is not considered to be a form of work, since there is no macroscopically measurable force, only microscopic forces occurring
..... Click the link for more information.This article is about the biochemistry term. For musical group see Carbon Based Lifeforms.
Carbon forms the backbone of biology for all life on Earth.
..... Click the link for more information.microorganism (also spelled as microrganism) or microbe is an organism that is microscopic (too small to be seen by the human eye). The study of microorganisms is called microbiology.
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..... Click the link for more information.Enzymes are proteins that catalyze (i.e. accelerate) chemical reactions.[1] In enzymatic reactions, the molecules at the beginning of the process are called substrates, and the enzyme converts them into different molecules, the products.
..... Click the link for more information.Metabolism is the complete set of chemical reactions that occur in living cells. These processes are the basis of life, allowing cells to grow and reproduce, maintain their structures, and respond to their environments. Metabolism is usually divided into two categories.
..... Click the link for more information.Food is any substance, usually composed primarily of carbohydrates, fats, water and/or proteins, that can be eaten or drunk by an animal or human being for nutrition or pleasure.
..... Click the link for more information.The human body is the entire physical structure of a human organism. The human body consists of a head, neck, torso, two arms and two legs. The average height of an adult human is about 1.6 m (5 to 6 feet) tall. This size is largely determined by genes.
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..... Click the link for more information.Cooking is the act of preparing food for eating by the application of heat. It encompasses a vast range of methods, tools and combinations of ingredients to alter the flavor or digestibility of food.
..... Click the link for more information.weapon is a tool used to injure, incapacitate, or kill an adversary.[1][2] Weapons may be used to attack and defend, and consequently also to threaten or protect. Metaphorically, anything used to damage (even psychologically) can be referred to as a weapon.
..... Click the link for more information.Combustion or burning is a complex sequence of exothermic chemical reactions between a fuel and an oxidant accompanied by the production of heat or both heat and light in the form of either a glow or flames.
..... Click the link for more information.For delivered electrical power, see .Electric power is defined as the rate at which electrical energy is transferred by an electric circuit. The SI unit of power is the watt.
When electric current flows in a circuit with resistance, it does work.
..... Click the link for more information.Fossil fuels or mineral fuels are hydrocarbons found within the top layer of the earth’s crust. They range from very volatile materials with low carbon:hydrogen ratios like methane, to liquid petroleum to nonvolatile materials composed of almost pure carbon, like
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..... Click the link for more information.nuclear fusion is the process by which multiple atomic particles join together to form a heavier nucleus. It is accompanied by the release or absorption of energy. Iron and nickel nuclei have the largest binding energies per nucleon of all nuclei and therefore are the most stable.
..... Click the link for more information.The Sun
Observation data
Mean distance
from Earth 1.4961011 m
(8.31 min at light speed)
Visual brightness (V) −26.74m [1]
Absolute magnitude 4.
..... Click the link for more information.Radioactive decay is the process in which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation in the form of particles or electromagnetic waves. This decay, or loss of energy, results in an atom of one type, called the parent nuclide
..... Click the link for more information.Isotopes are any of the several different forms of an element each having different atomic mass (mass number). Isotopes of an element have nuclei with the same number of protons (the same atomic number) but different numbers of neutrons.
..... Click the link for more information.supernova (plural: supernovae or supernovas) is a stellar explosion that creates an extremely luminous object. A supernova causes a burst of radiation that may briefly outshine its entire host galaxy before fading from view over several weeks or months.
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..... Click the link for more information.Renewable energy- Biofuels
- Biomass
- Geothermal power
- Hydro power
- Solar power
- Tidal power
- Wave power
- Wind power
..... Click the link for more information.Renewable energy- Biofuels
- Biomass
- Geothermal power
- Hydro power
- Solar power
- Tidal power
- Wave power
- Wind power
..... Click the link for more information.For the use of the term in ecology, see .Biomass refers to living and recently dead biological material which can be used as fuel or for industrial production.
..... Click the link for more information.The WOOD callsign may refer to:- WOOD-TV – an NBC-affiliated television station in Grand Rapids, Michigan
- WOOD (AM) – an AM radio station in Grand Rapids, Michigan
- WOOD-FM - an FM radio station in Grand Rapids, Michigan
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