5-3. FOSSIL FUEL: FORMATION
AND DEVELOPMENT
5-3-1. Origin of Fossil Fuel

Petroleum & natural gas: Anaerobic
decomposition of remains of organisms
including phytoplankton and zooplankton that
settled to the sea (or lake) bottom in large
quantities under anoxic conditions, millions of
years ago

Coal: Carbonization of terrestrial plants in
sedimentary formations
5-3-2. Formation of Fossil Fuel
http://quakeinfo.ucsd.edu/~gabi/sio15/topics/energy.html
http://ugmsc.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/one-day-course-review-hydrocarbon-prospect-in-western-indonesia/
An oil pump jack in southern Alberta.
http://www.canada-maps.org/alberta-pictures.htm
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/oilandgas/9329185/Cairnagrees-414m-deal-for-North-Sea-oil-field-owner-Nautical-Petroleum.html
offshore platforms
1, 2) conventional fixed platforms; 3) compliant tower; 4, 5) vertically moored tension leg and
mini-tension leg platform; 6) Spar ; 7,8) Semi-submersibles ; 9) Floating production, storage,
and offloading facility; 10) sub-sea completion and tie-back to host facility.
Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/oil-platform#ixzz33qKTN1lw
http://www.answers.com/topic/oil-platform
The kinds of coal, in increasing order of alteration, are lignite (brown coal--immature), sub-bituminous, bituminous
, and anthracite (mature). Coal starts off as peat. After a considerable amount of time, heat, and burial pressure, it
is metamorphosed from peat to lignite. Lignite is considered to be "immature" coal at this stage of development b
ecause it is still somewhat light in color and it remains soft. As time passes, lignite increases in maturity by becom
ing darker and harder and is then classified as sub-bituminous coal. As this process of burial and alteration contin
ues, more chemical and physical changes occur and a the coal is classified as bituminous. At this point the coal is
dark and hard. Anthracite is the last of the classifications, and this terminology is used when the coal has reached
ultimate maturation. Anthracite coal is very hard and shiny.
The degree of alteration (or metamorphism) that occurs as a coal matures from peat to anthracite is referred to as
the "rank" of the coal. Low-rank coals include lignite and sub-bituminous coals. These coals have a lower energy
content because they have a low carbon content. They are lighter (earthier) and have higher moisture levels. As ti
me, heat, and burial pressure all increase, the rank does as well. High-rank coals, including bituminous and anthr
acite coals, contain more carbon than lower-rank coals which results in a much higher energy content. They have
a more vitreous (shiny) appearance and lower moisture content then lower-rank coals.
http://www.uky.edu/KGS/coal/coalkinds.htm
Coastal exposure of the Point Aconi Seam (bituminous coal;
Pennsylvanian) exposed at Point Aconi, Nova Scotia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sydney_Mines_Point_Aconi_Seam_038.JPG
Panorama of open-pit mining Garzweiler, Germany
Shearer at work in a coal mine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SL500_01.jpg
5-4. FOSSIL FUEL: USES
5-4-1. Energy
http://www.manicore.com/anglais/documentation_a/storage.html
5-4-2. Other Uses

Petroleum


Olefin (alkene): plastics

Lubricants

Paraffin, wax

Sulfur, sulfuric acids

Tar –sealant

Asphalt

Petroleum coke

Aromatics
Coal


Coke

Syngas

Liquefaction fuel

Others
Natural gases



LNG (liquefied natural gas)
Fertilizers
H2
http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/energy/nonrenewable/crude.php
Breakdown by usage of the world coal consumption in 2007.
Source International Energy Agency, 2009
http://www.manicore.com/anglais/documentation_a/oil/coal_use.html