Fuels are materials that can undergo rapid oxidation, in which heat is given off.
In the oxidation reactions of a fuel, the energy of the chemical bonds of its constituent compounds is transformed into other forms of energy, such as thermal or mechanical energy. It also releases heat, carbon dioxide (CO2) and other chemicals.
Fuels have certain characteristics that influence their combustion process:
- calorific power. It is the amount of energy per unit of mass or volume that can be released during an oxidation reaction of a fuel.
- ignition point. They are the pressure and temperature conditions necessary for a combustible substance to start burning when a heat source is brought close to it, and to continue burning if the heat source is removed.
Fuels fulfill a wide variety of functions in the daily life of every individual. They are used to generate electricity, heat environments, heat water or other substances, drive engines, among many other functions.
types of fuels
Oil is a natural fuel.
One of the main classifications of fuels refers to how they were originated. In this sense, they can be classified into natural and artificial fuels.
natural fuels
The natural fuels They are those that are in nature and that human beings use to obtain energy from their combustion. Natural fuels can exist in all three states of aggregation:
- solid fuels. Coal, wood and natural peat.
- liquid fuels. The oil.
- gaseous fuels. Natural gas.
Many of the natural fuels are fossil fuels. Fossil fuels originated millions of years ago from the remains of dead plants and animals that accumulated inside the earth’s surface, and were subjected to decomposition reactions and high pressures and temperatures. The best known fossil fuel is oil.
Examples of Natural Fuels
- Firewood
- Coal
- Agricultural residuals
- Petroleum
- Peat
- Anthracite
- Natural gas
- Wood
artificial fuels
Liquefied petroleum gases are a type of artificial fuel.
The artificial fuels (or syntheticyes) are those that the human being obtains when he applies thermochemical processes to a natural fuel. The objective of obtaining artificial fuels is to generate a greater amount of usable energy for some purpose.
Among the artificial fuels are biofuels or biofuels, which are obtained from biomass. Some of the most widely used biofuels are biodiesel and biogas.
Examples of artificial fuels
- Butane
- dimethyl ether
- biogas
- Diesel oil
- Liquefied petroleum gases
- Gasoline
- methanol
- Kerosene
- Ethanol
- biodiesel
- aviation fuel
- fuel oil
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