Table of Contents
Fuel Types – Characteristics of Ideal Fuel
An ideal fuel would have the following characteristics:
1. It would be abundant and easy to find.
2. It would be easy to store and transport.
3. It would be clean and environmentally friendly.
4. It would be affordable.
5. It would produce a lot of energy.
6. It would be stable and reliable.
The SI Unit to Measure Calorific Value is J/kg.
The SI Unit to measure calorific value is Joules per kilogram. The calorific value of a fuel is the amount of heat energy released by the complete combustion of a unit mass of the fuel.
Renewable Sources of Energy
Renewable sources of energy are those that come from sources that are naturally replenished. These sources include solar, wind, water, geothermal, and biomass. Renewable energy technologies are constantly evolving and becoming more efficient, which is why they are such an important part of the global energy mix.
Non-Renewable Sources of Energy
Non-renewable sources of energy are those which cannot be replenished or renewed in a short period of time. The main sources of non-renewable energy are fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. These fuels are formed over millions of years from the decomposition of plants and animals. Once these fuels are used, they cannot be replaced and so they are a finite resource.
Some Properties of Ideal Fuel are:
-It is a fluid that can be compressed and has a high heat of vaporization.
-It is a clean burning fuel that does not produce pollutants.
-It has a high octane rating.
-It is a renewable resource.
Types of Fuels
There are many types of fuels, but the most common are:
-Oil
-Gasoline
-Diesel
-Propane
-Natural Gas
-Electricity
Examples of Fuels
Petroleum, coal, natural gas, and biomass are all examples of fuels.
Types of Gaseous Fuels
There are three types of gaseous fuels: natural gas, propane, and hydrogen.
Nuclear Fuels
Nuclear fuel is a material that is used to produce energy through nuclear fission. The most common type of nuclear fuel is uranium.
Advantages of Nuclear Energy
1. Nuclear energy is a renewable resource.
2. Nuclear energy is efficient.
3. Nuclear energy does not produce greenhouse gases.
4. Nuclear energy is reliable.
5. Nuclear energy is safe.
Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy
The disadvantages of nuclear energy include the following:
-Nuclear accidents can cause extensive damage to the environment and human health.
-Nuclear waste is highly radioactive and extremely dangerous to handle, and there is no permanent storage solution for it.
-The use of nuclear energy can create weapons-grade plutonium, which can be used to make nuclear weapons.
-The cost of building and maintaining a nuclear power plant is very high.
-Nuclear power plants are very vulnerable to terrorist attacks.
