The Fossil Fuel Coal Essay - 1914 Words

Coal, an amazing fossil fuel Abstract Coal has had a tremendous effect on the world. It produces the most electricity when compared to other fuels. The US generates more than half of their electricity from coal. This black or brownish†black fossil fuel, formed by the energy in plants hundreds of millions of years ago, is made up of mostly carbon, hydrogen, and small traces of other elements like sulfur. Coal has four main types of categories. Mining is the method used to extract coal from underneath the ground. After coal is mined, it needs to be processed in order to increase its heating value. These sedimentary rocks are excellent in producing energy, but they also pollute the environment and increase global warming. With all of†¦show more content†¦First, coal is grinded down into thin powder by a pulverizer. The coal, mixed with hot air, is burned to heat up water. This creates steam, which powers a turbine to generate mechanical energy by spinning. Then, the turbine powers a generator to make electric energy. Steam cools down through a condenser and converts back into water. Water is heated up again, and the process repeats. These turbines usually waste 65% of coal’s energy in the form of heat into the surround environment. Newer designs are being constructed to make it more energy efficient. Steam engines work similarly according to this process. Coal has been around ever since the caveman times. It is a black or brownish†black fossil fuel, and is a mixture of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur. Giant plants started the creation of coal. After their deaths in swamps, water and dirt start to build up on them. Millions of years are needed to create this nonrenewable energy source. During this long period of time, heat and pressure turn the dead plants into coal. The energy inside coal comes from the energy in plants. There are four main types of coal. They are based on the carbon and magnitude of heat energy it can create. Lignite, a type of coal with the least amount of energy, is usually the newest accumulation and has not experienced extreme heat or pressure. It is crumbly and has a lot of moisture. Twenty five to thirty five percent of it is carbon. This type of coal, also knownShow MoreRelatedCoal Is A Fossil Fuel1705 Words   |  7 PagesCoal is a fossil fuel and is the result of altered remains of prehistoric vegetation that originally accumulated in swamps and peat bogs. The material that formed fossil fuels varied greatly over time as each layer was buried. As a result of these variations and the length of time the coal was forming, several types of coal were created. Depending upon its composition, each type of coal burns differently and releases different types of emissions. 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