Question

Explain non-renewable sources of energy. 

Name various non-renewable sources of energy.

Answer 1

Non-Renewable Sources of Energy: Non-renewable energy sources are those that exist in small amounts and cannot be restored in a human timeframe once eliminated. These energy sources form over millions of years and decrease much faster than they can be replaced naturally. Some examples include:

1. Coal: Coal is a readily combustible black or brownish-black rock; its composition is a complex combination of organic compounds and inorganic mineral matter. It is a fossil fuel formed in ecosystems where plant remains are preserved by water and mud from oxidation and biodegradation. Coal is primarily used as a solid fuel to produce electricity and heat through combustion. Coal is the most widely used fossil fuel for electricity generation.
2. Petroleum Gas: Petroleum gas is obtained as a byproduct in the process of petroleum refining. It mainly consists of butane and ethane. Cooking gas cylinders in our kitchen contain Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). LPG is an odourless gas that catches fire quickly. It is difficult to detect the leakage of LPG. To facilitate detection, a strong-smelling substance called mercaptan is mixed with LPG. It helps in detecting the leakage easily.
3. Natural Gas: After coal and oil, natural gas is the third type of fuel most widely used for electricity generation. Natural gas is a gaseous fossil fuel consisting primarily. of methane (85–90%) but including significant quantities of ethane, propane, butane, and pentane, as well as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, helium, and hydrogen sulphide, and trace amounts of other gases. Natural gas generates electricity through the use of gas turbines and steam turbines. Natural gas is also used as a domestic fuel. It is supplied to homes, where it is used in cooking, etc. Natural gas is also used in Natural gas vehicles as compressed natural gas (methane). It is a cleaner alternative to other automobile fuels such as gasoline (petrol) and diesel.
4. Oil: Almost all oils bum in air-generating heat, which can be used directly or converted into other forms of fuel by various means. Oils are used as fuels for heating, lighting (e.g., kerosene lamps), powering combustion engines, and other purposes. Oils used for this purpose nowadays are usually derived from petroleum (fuel oil, diesel oil, gasoline (petrol), etc.), though biological oils such as biodiesel are gaining market share. Fuel oil is derived from crude petroleum and is the most widely used liquid fuel for power generation. Distillate and residual fuel oils are the two major categories of this type of fuel.