Fuels

A Fuel is a substance that produces Energy when burned. A good fuel releases its energy over a longer period of time A reaction in which energy is released is called an Exothermic reaction( a reaction in which heat is taken in called an Endothermic reaction). Another word for burning is Combustion ie.we combine the element with Oxygen gas

Common fuels
Most

common household fuels contain the element Carbon. Fuels that contain carbon and hydrogen only are called Hydrocarbons. The simplest hydrocarbon is methane formula CH4.Methane makes up 96% of Natural Gas.

Combustion of Hydrocarbons
Combustion of Methane gas Carbon dioxide is collected in the tube here. The test for CO2 is that it turns limewater Milky(or chalky)

Water vapour from the burning methane gas condenses here

All Hydrocarbons burn to give CO2 and H2O In fact any substance that contains Carbon and Hydrogen gives CO2 and H2O when burned

Fossil Fuels
Fossil Fuels are formed from Living things millions of years ago. There are three main Fossil Fuels: Fossil Fuels are Finite Fuels ie.They will run out in the future and cannot be regenerated

Coal, Oil and Gas

Oil: This was formed by dead sea creatures falling to the sea-bed where they were subjected to chemical change by Bacteria

Coal: This was formed by the decay of Vegetation which was subjected to heat and pressure over a very long period of time Alternative sources of Energy which are Renewable must be found eg. Solar, Wind Tide and Wave Power

Gas was formed in much the same way as Oil.It is often collected when drilling for Oil.

Distillation of Crude Oil

Crude Oil is a mixture of Substances called Fractions.

To separate the fractions we heat them until they boil off. This is known as Fractional Distillation The smaller fractions ie short carbon chains have smaller Boiling Pts. and boil off first.
The smaller fractions are more flammable, lighter in colour and less Viscous than the longer chain Fractions

A Fractionating Tower

Air Pollution

When Carbon burns in plentiful supply of air it produces CO2 C + O2 CO2 When Carbon burns in an insufficient supply of oxygen it produces C + O2 CO `
Carbon Monoxide
The test for CO2 is that it turns limewater milky(chalky) CO is an odourless, poisonous gas which prevents the blood absorbing Oxygen is therefore extremely dangerous

CO2 extinguishes fires, whereas CO burns with a blue flame. CO is neutral whereas, CO2 is Acidic

Pollution from Cars

The main pollutants from car exhausts are Unburned Hydrocarbons Carbon Monoxide Oxides of Nitrogen Cars have Catalytic
occurs in the Spark Plugs of petrol cars (not Diesel since they Converters fitted to change these to harmless gases CO2 and N2. Catalytic converters are metal honeycombs coated in Platinum

do not have spark plugs)

Sulphur from petrol produces the acidic gas Sulphur Dioxide(also a pollutant)when burned