Fossil Fuels

Fossil Fuels


Fossil fuels are created from organic material that was created millions of years ago. Petroleum, a fossil fuel gets its name from two words, "petra" meaning rock and "oleum" which means oil. Petroleum is drilled in order to search for oil. Also to determine the size of a reserve, as well as to produce oil and gas at a controlled rate.

There are different ways to recover Petroleum. One of which is primary recovery. In this method, all flows are from natural pressure or simple pumping. The maximum recovery is thirty percent of the oil in the well. Secondary recovery pumps water or gas into the well to force oil out. Through this, an additional ten to twenty percent can be recovered.

On March 11, 2002 we learned the difference between gasoline engines and diesel engines. Gasoline engines give low power, low efficiency, are quiet, have an easy cold start, cause less pollution, controlled emissions, and easily converted. Diesel engines give high power, high efficiency, are noisy, difficult cold start, more pollution, and it is more difficult to control emissions.


There are severe environmental impacts from fossil fuel use. These impacts are found in all stages, recovery, transportation, refining,storage,and end use. During recovery of coal, the earth suffers destruction of topsoil as well as acidic run off creating orange creeks and land subsidence. Petroleum production causes on land and off shore drilling as well as gushers and accidents. During transportation accidents can occur and are pretty much routine. This causes massive pollution of the seas. Preparation or refining creates refuse and sludge from coal cleaning plants. With petroleum air and water pollution are caused. In storage, gasoline leaks in underground tanks at gas stations are a threat. During end use, pollutants from combustion occur. Also, the release of sulfur and nitrogen oxides pose a threat.

On March 18,2002 we learned of measures to reduce the environmental pollution from fossil fuel use. Amendments passed in 1990 placed limits on hydrocarbon emissions. Also, mandatory emission testing was placed on vehicles. in 1992 during the Earth Summet in Rio one hundred and six countries participated. An international treaty was raised to reduce CO2 emissions to 1990 levels and stabalize concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere. 1997 kyotoProtocal was created to reduce emissions in developed countries. US congress refused to approve it. Some major challenges we face now are the reduction of fossil fuel use, increasing population, and industrialization of developing nations.