Fossil Fuels: An Overview

The world and the U.S. get 85% of their energy from oil, natural gas and coal!

These non-renewable fossil fuels have enabled the industrial revolution and an unprecedented high standards of living.

Oil Reserves 1986, 1996, 2006

OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries)

• Algeria Angola

• Ecuador Iran

• Iraq Kuwait

• Libya Nigeria

• Qatar Saudi Arabia

• United Arab Emirates Venezuela

Coal- provides over 50% of electricity in U.S. and 23% of energy

Carboniferous Period proto-continent- light blue are shallow

seas where coal deposits developed

Grades of coal

• Anthracite- highest rank, black, glassy, hardest, most concentrated energy and least pollution given off. Used for residential and commercial space heating

• Bituminous- black to dark brown, mainly used in electrical power generation. High sulfur and mercury content.

• Lignite- or brown coal. Used for electric power generation.

• Peat- lowest grade, precursor of coal- organic deposits from bogs. Used for cooking fires and home heating in Ireland, Scotland, etc.