Hydrocarbons In Fossil Fuels

Improved Essays
Show More
Fossil fuels are a critical component in the functioning of our society. These resources are staples in maintaining the energized life styles that people have become used to. Fossil fuels are sources of energy derived from animal and plant remains from more than 300 million years ago (U.S. Department of Energy 2013). These remains were then coated with combinations of clay and rock called sediment (Energy Quest 2012). Sedimentary rock effectively protected the hydrocarbons in fossil fuels because it is inorganic and does not contain any carbon (NMOGA 2015). This applies pressure to the plants and animals as well as heating temperatures ranging 150-300 degrees Fahrenheit (NMOGA 2015). After millions of years the deceased plants and animals transform from their organic state to hydrocarbons (NMOGA 2015). …show more content…
These energy sources were formed during what was called the Carboniferous period which gets its name from carbon, the basic element in fossil fuels (Energy Quest 2012). Different variations of fossil fuels were created based on what combination of plant and animal debris were present, as well as the amount of pressure and temperature the remains were subjected to over those millions of years (U.S. Department of Energy 2013). During the Mesozoic era, evaporation caused a drastic change in water levels. This in addition to years of pressure and temperatures ranging from 150-300 degrees Fahrenheit, caused a chemical change in the hydrocarbons creating oils and natural gases (NMOGA

Related Documents

  • Great Essays

    The Keystone Pipeline
    • 2525 Words
    • 11 Pages

    The Keystone Pipeline

    Keystone Politics By Garrett Kizior History of the Keystone Pipeline Canada’s Athabasca River Basin is the home of one of the world’s largest stockpile of fossil fuels; bitumen. Bitumen, which lies beneath prehistoric boreal forests and peat bogs, is composed of oil, sand, and clay, and is often compared to thick tar. Because of its composition, bitumen is commonly referred to as tar sands The only method to remove the tar sands from the ground is to first inject hot steam into the earth until the bitumen melts and then carry it to the surface with heavy machinery. Once above ground, converting bitumen to fuel can consume as much energy as it provides. Even though the costs involved in drilling the tar sands are high and the ultimate energy…

    • 2525 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Great Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Global Warming Stand Up By Bill Mckibben Summary
    • 672 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Global Warming Stand Up By Bill Mckibben Summary

    It is mined from our oceans and within our earth to provide energy, gas, and fuel for heating homes, fueling vehicles, and factory use around the world. In relation to global needs, these energy sources contribute to the economy, as McKibben claims, "It is economic growth. "(par.13). Carbon dioxide is the only pollutant that is not reduced because of fossil fuels, and its economic value to people on Earth. However, as long as we continue to utilize fossil fuels for its oil, coal, and gas properties, we will be contributing to the demise of our unique precious home.…

    • 672 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Bomb Calorimeter Research Paper
    • 562 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Bomb Calorimeter Research Paper

    A fuel is any material that can be made to react with other substances so that it releases chemical energy as heat. Fuels can range from solid forms such as coal, liquid forms such as LPG & gas forms such as propane (you, 2017). Most of the fuels used are fossil fuels. Over 81% of America’s fuels are fossil fuels, these include fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas. Fossil fuels are fuels that are extracted from the earth, this means that they are a limited resource.…

    • 562 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    The Era Of Fossil Fuel Summary
    • 384 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Era Of Fossil Fuel Summary

    In less than a century, environmental and social pollution have caused the public to reiterate their understanding about the effects of new energy sources. Martin V. Melosi portrays a rapid ideological change about how the United States’s energy choices influence the federal government to assert actions, in his article “Energy and Environment in the United States: The Era of Fossil Fuel”. Melosi argues that one of the most common beliefs in the late 19th century was that smoke signified luxury. It’s not unusual to belief that the nation yielding the highest amount of resources, or is able to acquire them, is better.…

    • 384 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Decent Essays

    Biofuels In The 1800s
    • 130 Words
    • 1 Pages

    Biofuels In The 1800s

    Biofuels and bioenergy are as old as civilization itself. Solid biofuels, such as wood, animal waste, and charcoal have been used since man discovered fire, and they are still used today for cooking and heating in many communities and in developing countries. Liquid biofuels such as olive oil and whale oil have been used in the ancient past. From the mid 1700s to the early 1800s, whale oil was extensively used and was the fuel of choice for lighting houses. In this time period, whaling was a big business and whale populations greatly decline.…

    • 130 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    The Pros And Cons Of The Keystone Pipeline
    • 1087 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The Pros And Cons Of The Keystone Pipeline

    Fossil fuels make up most of the world’s energy for electricity and fuel to specify crude oil, coal, and natural gas, each one is different in efficiency, availability, and byproducts, and they are same because they are all burn to get to the energy out and the main byproduct is carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. (Fischer, Douglas) The more carbon dioxide in the faster temperature rises, so has the emission regulate carbon dioxide emission before it out of control. Also the other byproducts are harmful as to the environment as to human. When fossil fuels are burned they release hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide gases and heavy metals leave behind, when burned it release hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide the gases will mix with water in air to create acid rain that could scar or destroy forests, with second most biodiverse forest being in the U.S. it have to be protected.…

    • 1087 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Fracking Vs Natural Gas
    • 723 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Fracking Vs Natural Gas

    Energy production, it is something that today’s world cannot go without. Many believe, though, that fracking to acquire Natural Gas is a non-efficient and a destructive way of doing it. This paper is not intended to argue the fact that is has no harm, but instead, that as of this moment in time there is no better way to mass produce energy than Natural Gas and fracking is the best method of obtaining it. The use of fracking to obtain Natural Gas is the most efficient, cleanest, and least damaging way to mass produce Natural Gas in today’s world. It is argued that fracking to acquire the gas from the ground is not the best way of getting it.…

    • 723 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Decent Essays

    Fossil Fuels In Australia
    • 193 Words
    • 1 Pages

    Fossil Fuels In Australia

    With people working on getting the natural gasses out of the ground it makes the natural gas more affordable than other energy sources. It is said by solarschools.net “the total amount of energy gained from fossil fuels since the start of civilization is estimated to be the same amount of energy we gather from the sun in 30 days”. Many people believe that gas and oil are found in huge subterranean caverns that is readily available. Fossil fuels are abundant in Australia so have cheap fuel. Natural gas is formed by fossil fuels that is buried in the ground, and “subsequent pressure of heating of dead plant and animal matter or biomass (organic matter), over millions of years”(non-renewable energy).The trapped energy can be released and utilized…

    • 193 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Health Implications Of Fracking
    • 1375 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Health Implications Of Fracking

    Fracking can be devastating to the environment and the health of the community that lives near any fracking operation. There have been many cases documented where families that either live near a fracking site or that have even allowed fracking companies to frack on their land, having unusual symptoms that are related back to fracking. These symptoms can be but not limited to fatigue, burning eyes, dermatologic irritation, headaches, upper respiratory problems and many more. Along with these health risks that fracking causes directly, there are other long term harms that fracking contributes to. Air pollution is one of them, when you burn natural gas that is extracted by means of fracking you are releasing greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere.…

    • 1375 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Alternative Energy: Ethanol Vs Renewable Energy
    • 479 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Alternative Energy: Ethanol Vs Renewable Energy

    Fossil fuel comes from decayed plants and animals. Although there are many alternatives to using energy from decayed plants that are much more sustainable. For example ethanol. Ethanol is an good alternative to regular gasoline and is renewable. Using ethanol instead of fossil fuels will not only improve the state of our environment…

    • 479 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    The Precambrian Time
    • 867 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The Precambrian Time

    Precambrian time covers the tremendous greater part of the Earth's history, beginning with the planet's creation around 4.5 billion years prior and finishing with the development of complex, multi celled life-shapes very nearly four billion years after the fact. The Precambrian is the most punctual of the geologic ages, which are set apart by various layers of sedimentary rock. Set down over a huge number of years, these stone layers contain a lasting record of the Earth's past, including the fossilized stays of plants and creatures covered when the silt were shaped. The Earth was at that point more than 600 million years of age when life started. The planet had cooled off from its unique liquid state, adding to a strong hull and seas made…

    • 867 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Should The United States Use Renewable Energy?
    • 581 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Should The United States Use Renewable Energy?

    Fossil fuels (oil, gas, and coal) have been the pillar of our modern society since the Industrial Revolution. There is no further doubt that fossil fuels have a high density of energy and they are the world’s dominant energy source. Even though these non-renewable resources have a variety of applications like fuel for transportation, electricity, plastic, medicine, and chemicals, they are also the largest emitters of carbon dioxide which causes human health and environmental issues. Every economic aspect the United States depends completely on these fossil fuels. An effective way to address the United States’ fossil fuel dependency is by relying on renewable sources of energy, learning how to conserve energy, recycling and reusing products…

    • 581 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Great Essays

    Fossil Fuels: Environmental Case Study
    • 1932 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Fossil Fuels: Environmental Case Study

    INTRODUCTION Fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and gas have dominated and supplied most of the world’s energy needs for decades. As the dominant energy supply, it is not likely to be eliminated. It is thought to remain persistently in the environment for the next few generations. Fossil fuels have many long term consequences; for starters they are not a renewable source, thus they can deplete faster than they can be renewed. Not only are they exhaustible, they are a major threat to the environment; of particular concern is the threat towards the health of wildlife, ecosystems, environment, and human beings.…

    • 1932 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Great Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Coal Energy Vs Nuclear Energy
    • 1010 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Coal Energy Vs Nuclear Energy

    Thesis: Our energy comes predominantly from fossil fuels because of it’s supposed inexpensiveness. However, the cost of fossil fuels in terms of human lives is often ignored. Nuclear power, on the other hand, is a much safer alternative because it results in fewer deaths per unit of energy produced than coal and natural gas. By comparing their outputs in terms of energy produced per unit of fuel consumed, and comparing that with the amount of byproducts produced as well as the amount of deaths associated with both energy sources we can analyse their relative harmfulness.…

    • 1010 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    Persuasive Essay On Renewable Energy
    • 1766 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Persuasive Essay On Renewable Energy

    If there was the possibility of changing the fate of the world for the better, would the people do it? At this very moment we are burning up fossil fuels that we will never be able to replenish. There is a clock running on how long we can make fossil fuels last, and that clock is ticking down every day every hour. We were made to evolve and learn, so let’s do so. Let’s focus on finding a new way to power the world that does not poison it.…

    • 1766 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More

Related Topics

Ready To Get Started?
Discover
Company
Follow
©2024 Cram.com
Privacy Policy |  About Ads |  Site Map |  Advertise  | 
  • Cookie Settings