FOSSIL ENERGY

Fossil energy come from to the remains of plants and other living organisms like plankton, these millions
years ago were buried by cataclysms and natural phenomena, and for the action of come microorganisms
in certain conditions of pressure and temperature. This energy isnt renewable, so isnt considerate
biomass energy but is considerate fossil fuel.
Exist multiple types of fossil energy, like coal, oil and natural gas.
COAL:
Is the first fuel used by man, has abundant reserves. Represent about 70% of global energy reserves, and
is often used in the production of electricity worldwide.
In Spain, however, the coal is limited and his quality is low, and in the Canarias Island isnt used this fuel.
The coal is a fossil substance, is under the earths surface, the vegetal origin generate for the slow
decomposition of organic matter of plants, found in swampy places, lagoons and river deltas; during the
Carboniferous period.
This plants underground suffered a process of fermentation thanks for the absence of O2.
For the action of microorganism under certain conditions of pressure and temperature, was created coal.
Exist different types of coal: peat, lignite, coal, and anthracite.
OIL:
Is a natural liquid fuel, mixture of carbon and hydrogen.
Most of the oil was formed 85/95 millions ago.
The composition is very variable.
The calorific value ranges between 9000/11000 kcal/kg.
The transformation process is similar to coal: come from the processing by the action of certain bacteria in
ocean areas under certain conditions of pressure and temperature.
This fuel is lighter than water.
Deposits of oil are located in places with no porous rocks and impermeable rock, like clay.
Need to refine the oil to have utility. This process make in refineries. The components separated when
warming the oil. Obtain different products when refine the oil: solid residues, heavy oils, gasoliers,
kerosene, petrol and gases.
NATURAL GAS:
Consist of a mixture of gases which is stored inside the earth. Sometimes in insolation (dry gas) and other
accompanying the oil (wet gas).
The origin is similar to oil but is easy to removal. Consisting of more than 70% methane, and the rest,
ethane, propane and butane. It isnt toxic, odorless and colorless. Is lighter than air. The calorific value is
11000 kcal/kg. Natural gas is transported by pipeline and tankers. Is the second source of primary energy
used in Europe. The level of contamination is low, almost doesnt present impurities. Its clean and easy to
transport.


ADVANTAGES:
It's easily transport to many areas in the world.
Cheap to buy on open market due to large reserves and easy access ability.
Coal is the least expensive fossil fuel because it is rather simple to mine.
Coal powered generation scales well, which makes it possible to build a variety of sizes of
generation plants.
Since coal is a fossil fuel, it can be used to build power stations almost anywhere as long as there
are large amounts of it.
DISADVANTAGES:
While fossil fuels are relatively cheap and accessible, causing environmental problems.
Fossil fuels only exist in some countries, so we depend on these countries.
Contamination for extraction and transportation and then during use.
Its use results in the emission of gases that pollute the atmosphere and are toxic to life.
Isn't a renewable energy.
Contributes to the greenhouse effect, acid rain and altered ecosystems.

ENVIRONMENT IMPACT:

The combustion of coal contributes to acid rain and air pollution, and has been connected with global
warming.
IMPACT:

- Radioactive increased by the emission of greenhouse gases.
- Emission of carbon monoxide toxic in blood.
- Emission of volatile hydrocarbon.
- Emission of metals.

TRANSPORT DERIVATIVES:

- In water: Increasing the biological oxygen demand
Serious impact on the planktonic, associated with food chain

- Toxic by bioaccumulative and persistent compounds, and metals.
- Adherence to own vital system.
- Soil contamination.

COST:
- Electric energy is produced by a power plant
- Different cost between fossil energy.
- Currently the price of a barrel of oil is between 90 and 100 dollars around the world.
- It is a very expensive because the process for obtaining it is very difficult and laborious.
- It is the cheapest way to produce energy after the hydroelectric.
- Is so cheap that coal reserve there are enough to meet global demand.
- The generation and transportation processes are safe.
- Have a cleaner technology.
- Prices for natural gas prices are freely negotiated between the consumer and the marketer.