What are Mineral Fuels?

Mineral fuels are combustible materials that are extracted from the earth and used as a source of energy. They include coal, oil, and natural gas, and are used to generate heat and power for homes, businesses, and vehicles. Mineral fuels are a non-renewable resource, meaning they can be used up and are not replaced naturally over time.

Origin of Mineral Fuels

The origin of mineral fuels is a topic of debate. Some scientists believe that they formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals that were buried underground and exposed to high temperatures and pressures. Over time, the organic matter changed into hydrocarbons, which are now used as fuel. Other scientists believe that mineral fuels were formed from the remains of living organisms that were exposed to high temperatures and pressures in the Earth’s mantle.

Formation of Coal

A plant or animal that dies and is buried under sediments can become a coal deposit. The weight of the overlying material compresses the dead organism, and the heat and pressure convert the dead organic material into coal. Coal is a sedimentary rock that is composed of carbon and other elements, such as hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.

Origin of Petroleum

No one knows for certain how petroleum originated, but there are three leading theories:

1. Organic: Petroleum is a natural product of the decomposition of organic matter. Over time, the remains of dead plants and animals are buried under layers of earth and rock. The intense pressure and heat of the earth’s inner core slowly converts the organic matter into hydrocarbons (oil and gas), which seep back to the surface and are collected in underground reservoirs.

2. Inorganic: Petroleum may also form through the process of hydrothermal metamorphism, which occurs when hot water and minerals interact with rocks deep in the earth’s crust. This process can create oil and gas deposits from the remains of once-living organisms, as well as from inorganic materials such as coal.

3. Biogenic: A third theory suggests that petroleum is formed through the action of bacteria. These tiny organisms consume organic matter, breaking it down into hydrocarbons that then accumulate in underground reservoirs.

Natural Petroleum

Natural gas liquids (NGL) is a collective term for the various hydrocarbons that are extracted from natural gas, such as ethane, propane, butane, and pentane. These hydrocarbons are typically used as fuels or petrochemicals.