Fossil Fuels

Question 1

Why may largescale use of specific deposits not be exploited?

Answer 1

1. Not economically viable
2. May cause unacceptable pollution
3. Involves habitat damage in areas too ecologically sensitive
4. Extraction processes may cause Earth tremors

Question 2

Chemical Energy of fossil fuels and its importance?

Answer 2

Chemical energy of fossil fuels is easy to store and convert into heat energy that is usually required

Question 3

Two common extraction methods for coal?

Answer 3

1. Open-cast mining
2. Deep Mining

Question 4

Environmental impacts of open-cast mining?

Answer 4

habitat damage from visible environmental degradation of the site.

Question 5

Environmental impacts of deep mining?

Answer 5

predominantly at the surface. Loss of habitat, transport infrastructure and potentially surface subsistence.

Question 6

Why is open-cast mining more economically viable?

Answer 6

Far less labour intensive, and much more mechanised.

Question 7

How may oil rigs cause pollution?

Answer 7

oil based drilling mud used to lubricate the drill pipes can cause pollution in groundwater, rivers and the sea.

Question 8

What are the risks of surplus gas on oil rigs?

Answer 8

They may be burnt or ‘flared’ to reduce the risk of explosions. This causes atmospheric pollution through pollutants such as S04, C02, and smoke.

Question 9

what are the environmental impacts of extracting coal (mining)?

Answer 9

Habitat loss, noise, dust, turbid drainage water, soil heaps, acid mine drainage, methane drainage, derelict sites.

Question 10

what are the environmental impacts of Oil extraction & Transport?

Answer 10

Oil Pollution, marine seismic surveys. Habitat destruction caused by pipeline construction.

Question 11

what are the environmental impacts of combusting fossil fuels?

Answer 11

Atmospheric pollution such as releasing C02, S04, N0x’s, Carbon monoxide, smoke etc.

Question 12

How do oil & gas pipelines have environmental impacts during construction?

Answer 12

Cover a large area which could degrade the surrounding environment especially while being made.

Question 13

What are the main uses of Crude Oil?

Answer 13

Liquid vehicle fuels; petrol, diesel, aircraft fuel, ship fuel.

Question 14

What are the main uses of Natural Gas?

Answer 14

Domestic and industrial heating. Electrical generation, and chemicals; nitrate fertilisers.

Question 15

What are the main uses of Coal?

Answer 15

Electricity generation. Also the Iron & Steel industry.

Question 16

Name two new coal technologies?

Answer 16

Coal liquefication, Coal Gasification.

Question 17

Coal Gasification

Answer 17

Coal too deep to be mined underground can be burnt underground instead using controlled conditions to produce a mixture of fuel gases, including hydrogen, CO, and Ch4

Question 18

Coal Liquefication

Answer 18

Conservation of coal to liquid hydrocarbons, which have applications solid coal cannot perform such as liquid vehicle fuel.

Question 19

How may coal liquefication convert coal to liquids in extraction?

Answer 19

From directly using solvents or indirectly using gasification. The chemical changes convert gaseous hydrocarbons to liquid hydrocarbons.