COAL AND PETROLEUM

SYLLABUS: Natural resources, man-made resources, Types of Natural Resources, exhaustible resources, inexhaustible
resources, Fossil Fuels, Coal and its products, formation of coal, energy from coal, common varieties of coal, peat, lignite,
bituminous coal, anthracite coal, products of coal and their uses, coke, coal tar, ammonical liquor, coal gas, uses of coal,
petroleum, formation of petroleum, mining of petroleum, oil production in India, refining of petroleum, petrochemicals, useful
fractions of petroleum, uses of petroleum, impact of use and over extraction of fossil, fuels on the environment, Natural gas,
Advantage of natural gas, conservation of fossil fuels.

INTRODUCTION
Man is dependent on nature for his daily needs and comforts. We depend on plants, animals,
fuels, minerals, water, air and soil to sustain life and we get all such things from nature. There
are certain things which we don’t get from nature but still are very useful for us.

All such materials which are used by humans for his survival and welfare are called as
resources.
Resources can be divided in to two categories i.e. Natural resources and manmade resources.

1. NATURAL RESOURCES
Natural resources are obtained from the nature. E.g. Air, water, soil, minerals, etc.

2. MAN-MADE RESOURCES
These resources are made by human beings. e.g. – Plastic (It is non-biodegradable)

3. TYPES OF NATURAL RESOURCES

1. Exhaustible natural resources 2. Inexhaustible natural resources

i) Exhaustible
These resources are present in limited quantity in nature.
They can be exhausted by human activities after some time.
e.g. Forest, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas etc.

ii) Inexhaustible
These resources are present in unlimited quantity in nature.
They cannot be exhausted by human activities. e.g. Sunlight, air.

4. FOSSIL FUELS
The fuels which are formed by the decomposition of the remains of prehistoric plants and
animals buried under the earth millions of years ago are called fossil fuels. e.g. Coal, petroleum,
natural gas.

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Fossil Fuels take millions of years to form.

5. COAL AND ITS PRODUCTS

Coal is a black – colored, solid fuel.

It mainly contains carbon along with hydrogen and oxygen compounds.
Along with this Nitrogen, Sulphur, and phosphorus compounds are also present in little
amount.
Coal is found in coal mines deep under the surface of the Earth and it has to be dug out for use.
It is one of the earliest used fossil fuels. In India it is mainly found in Bihar, West Bengal and
Madhya Pradesh.

6. FORMATION OF COAL

Coal was formed by the decomposition of plants and trees that existed about 300 million years
ago. Due to natural calamities like floods, earthquakes, active volcanoes these forest got buried
under the surface of the earth and got covered with sand, clay, and water. Due to high
temperature and pressure inside the earth, wood, in the absence of air, was converted into
coal. The slow chemical process of the conversion of wood into coal is called carbonisation. It is
a very slow process and may have taken thousands of years to take place.

Energy from coal – The main constitute of coal is carbon. It burns (combines with oxygen) to
produce heat energy and carbon dioxide.

C + O2→CO2 + HEAT

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7. COMMON VARIETIES OF COAL

There are different varieties of coal depending upon the percentage of carbon in them.
The amount of carbon decides the quality of the coal.
Greater the amount of coal better is the quality of coal.

1. Peat - It is the first stage of transformation. It contains less than 40 to 55% carbon and more
of impurities.
It contains sufficient volatile matter and lot of moisture.
It burns like wood, gives less heat, emits more smoke more pollution and leaves lot of ash.

2. Lignite (soft coal) - The carbon content in lignite is about 60-70%. It catches fire easily
and is brown in color. Its burning cause’s pollution as it contains Sulphur.

3. Bituminous (household coal) -This form contains approximately 75% carbon. It is used
for domestic purposes and is called soft coal.
It is found at depth of about 3,000 – 6,000 meters below the earth’s crust.

4. Anthracite (hard coal) - It has the highest calorific value and is the most useful form of
coal, containing more than 90% carbon.
It is called hard coal and is found at great depths, beyond 6,000 meters.
Ignites slowly and burns with a nice short blue flame.
On burning little or no pollution is caused.

Each step during carbonization leads to an increase in carbon content.

Wood → peat → lignite → bituminous → anthracite

8. PRODUCTS OF COAL AND THEIR USES

The various products obtained by processing of coal of are given below:
1. Coke 2. Coal tar 3. Coal gas 4. Ammonical liquor

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i) Coke
1. It is residue left behind in the destructive distillation of coal when all volatile components are
removed.
2. It is the most pure form of the carbon with about 98% content.
3. It is tough, porous, black substance.
4. It also makes an excellent fuel because it gives off more heat than coal and does not produce
smoke.
5. Also used in the extraction of many metals and for manufacturing steel.

ii) Coal Tar

It is a thick dark black colored liquid which is obtained by destructive distillation of coal.
It has an unpleasant smell.
It is a mixture of many useful chemical substances which can be separated and are used to
make drugs (medicines), dyes, explosives, paints, varnishes, plastics, synthetic fibers and
pesticides.
Some useful organic compounds like benzene, toluene, phenol, and naphthalene are also
obtained from coal tar.

iii) Ammonical Liquor

The Ammonia (NH3) formed during the destructive distillation of coal is dissolved in water to
produce ammonical liquor.
This is used in making fertilizers.

iv) Coal Gas

It is obtained during the process of coal to get coke.
It is used as a fuel in industries and for lightning purposes as it produces lot of heat on burning.
Initially it was used to light streets.
These days it is mainly used as the source of heat.

9. USES OF COAL
1. It is used as a domestic and industrial fuel.
2. It is used in thermal power stations to generate electricity.
3. It is used in the manufacturing of synthetic petrol and synthetic natural gas.
4. It is used to make coke, coal tar, coal gas.
5. It is used as a source of organic compounds like benzene, toluene, phenol, aniline and
anthracene.
6. It is used in the extraction of metals.

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7. It was used in railway engines to produce steam in the past.

10. PETROLEUM
We all know the importance of petrol in today’s world, In fact the economy of a nation depends
to a great extent on its petroleum wealth and so it is also called as black gold.
It is a dark colored, viscous, strong smelling liquid.
The name petroleum is derived from petra meaning rocks and oleum meaning oil, that means it
occurs under the earth’s crust, entrapped in rocks.
The crude oil (petroleum) is a complex mixture of solid, liquids and gaseous hydrocarbons
mixed with water, salt and other particles.

11. FORMATION OF PETROLEUM

Petroleum was formed from the remains marine plants and animals which died millions of
years ago.
Their bodies sank and settled at the bottom of the sea and were soon covered with layers of
sand and clay and rocks.
The decomposed matter was buried deeper and deeper. Over millions of years, these remains
in the absence of air, bacteria, high temperature and pressure got converted into petroleum.
The petroleum so formed passed through porous rocks until it got trapped between some
impervious rocks. The natural gas always occurs above the petroleum under the earth.

12. MINING OF PETROLEUM

Petroleum is obtained by drilling holes (oil wells) into the earth’s crust where the presence of
oil has been predicted by survey by geologists and seismologists. When oil is struck, it gushes
out together with the natural gas.
The first oil well was drilled in Pennsylvania (USA) in 1859.
Oil was struck in INDIA in 1867, at Makum in Assam.

13. OIL PRODUCTION IN INDIA

In India Petroleum is produced from the wells in Rudrasagar and Lakwa in Assam, Ankleshwar
and Kalol in Gujrat, Bombay high (offshore area).
Deltas of Cauvery, Krishna and Godavari rivers.

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14. REFINING OF PETROLEUM
The process of separating petroleum into useable and useful fractional distillation is known as
Refining.
It is carried out in petroleum refinery.
Refineries in India are located at Mumbai, Chennai, Mathura, Barauni, Digboi,Guwahati, Haldia,
Kochi, Koyali and Vishakhapatnam.
15. PETROCHEMICALS
The useful substances which are obtained from petroleum and natural gas are called
petrochemicals.
The petrochemicals provide the raw materials for the preparation of a large variety of
substances.
These are used for making synthetic fibers, synthetic rubber, plastic, perfumes, fertilizers,
explosives, varnishes, dyes and drugs.

16. USEFUL FRACTIONS OF PETROLEUM

Few useful fractions obtained during refining are given below -
1. Petroleum gas:Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is the most commonly used domestic fuel. It
causes very less pollution than petrol, diesel, etc. In many places, LPG is used to run vehicles.
2. Gasoline:Petrol is obtained from gasoline. It is used as fuel in motors and is also used for dry
cleaning of clothes.
3. Kerosene:Used commonly as a domestic fuel, for lightning petromax in villages and small
towns. It is also used in generators.
4. Light oil:Diesel is obtained from light oil and used in automobile industry. It is also used to
run generators to produce electricity.
5. Paraffin wax: Used to make candles, Vaseline and creams.
6. Heavy oil:used in the production of various chemicals, it is also used to heat boiler and
furnaces.
7. Bitumen: It is the residue of refining of petroleum. It is used to make top surface of the
roads and in water proofing.

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17. USES OF PETROLEUM
1. Used as fuels.
2. Lubricating oils, grease, and Vaseline are used as lubricants.
3. Paraffin wax, a product of petroleum, is used for manufacturing candles, polishes, waxed
paper, water proofing etc.
4. Some of the byproducts of petroleum after purification are used in the preparation of
medicines, ointments, face creams and cosmetics.
5. Bitumen is used for metalling roads.

18. IMPACT OF USE AND OVER EXTRACTION OF FOSSIL FUELS ON THE ENVIRONMENT
1. Drilling for petroleum cause disturbance in aquatic ecosystem.
2. During transportation of petroleum there is always danger of oil spill.
3. Leakage of petroleum from storing tanks pollutes the ground water.
4. Coal or petroleum products on burning causes air pollution which becomes the reason for
global warming and acid rain.
5. Refining of petroleum to produce various products may lead to water and air pollution.
6. Mining creates the disturbance in the earth crust.

19. NATURAL GAS

Natural gas is very important fossil fuel and mainly contains methane gas.
It occurs deep under the crust of the earth either alone or along with oil above the petroleum
deposits.

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Thus, some wells dug into the earth produce only natural gas as well as petroleum. In India it is
found in Tripura, Jaisalmair, off shore area of Mumbai and in Krishna –Godavari delta.

20. ADVANTAGE OF NATURAL GAS

1. It is used as a domestic and industrial fuel.
2. It is the source of hydrogen gas needed in fertilizer industry.
3. Compressed natural gas is used for power generation and as a fuel for transport.
4. Has high calorific value.
5. Burns with a smokeless flame.
6. Burns readily to produce heat.
7. Easy to transport can be supplied directly from the gas well to factories or homes

21. CONSERVATION OF FOSSIL FUELS

1. Walk or use cycle, whenever possible.
2. Switch off fans and light when not in use.
3. Carpool should be used.
4. Use of public vehicles.
5. Regular servicing of the vehicles.
6. Use of lead free petrol.
7. Switch off engines on signals.
8. Drive at constant or moderate speed.
9. Shift to alternative sources of energy, like wind, solar, geothermal, tidal energy etc.
10. Use all fossil fuels wisely.

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OBJECTIVE
1. Among the following which one is not the example of natural resources?
a. Sunlight b. Water
c. Coal d. Plastic

2. Out of following resources which one is present in unlimited quantity in nature?

a. Sunlight b. Water
c. Coal d. Plastic

3. Which among the following is not a fossil fuel?

a. Coal b. Petroleum
c. Natural Gas d. Plastic

4. The Amount of compound of which of the following element is not found in the coal?
a. Oxygen b. Hydrogen.
c. Sulphur d. Helium

5. Due to high temperature and pressure inside the earth, wood was converted into coal in the
a. Absence of Air b. Presence of Air
c. Absence of Oxygen d. Presence of Oxygen

6. The quality of coal is decide by

a. The amount of its oxygen content b. The amount of its carbon content
c. Blackness of the coal d. The sulphur content of the coal

7. Which form of the coal is found at depth of about 3,000 – 6,000 meters below the earth’s
crust?
a. Peat` b. Lignite
c. Bituminous d. Anthracite

8. Which form of the coal has highest carbon content?

a. Peat b. Lignite
c. Bituminous d. Anthracite

9. Which form of the coal has highest calorific value and cause less pollution when burnt?
a. Peat b. Lignite
c. Bituminous d. Anthracite

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10. What is the approximate carbon content in the bituminous coal?
a. 30 to 40% b. 75%
c. 65% d. 90%

11. The residue left behind in the destructive distillation of coal when all volatile components
are removed
a. Is known as coke
b. Is the most pure form with 98% carbon content?
c . Is tough, porous, black substance.
d. All of the above

12. A thick dark black colored liquid which is obtained by destructive distillation of coal is
known as
a. Coal tar b. Coal gas
c. Coke d. Ammonicalliquor

13. Which of the following natural resource is used as a source of organic compounds like
benzene, toluene, phenol, aniline and anthracene?
a. Coal b. Petroleum
c. Natural gas d. Coal and natural gas both

14. Which of the following exhaustive natural resource is also known as black gold?
a. Coal b. Petroleum
c. Natural Gas d. coke

15. The first oil well was drilled in 1859 in

a. Pennsylvania (USA) b. Makum in Assam.
c. Antarctica d. Dubai

16. The process of separating petroleum into useable and useful fractional distillation is known
as
a. Refining b. Separating
c. Purifying d. Distillation

17. X is the most commonly used domestic fuel. It causes very less pollution than petrol, diesel,
etc. In many places X is used to run vehicles. What is X?
a. LPG b. Natural gas
c. Coal gas d. Gasoline

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18. Petrol is obtained from
a. Coal b. Gasoline
c. Diesel d. By purifying kerosene

19. Among the following which one is the residue of refining of petroleum?
a. Bitumen b. Heavy oil
c. Light oil d. Kerosene

20. Drilling for petroleum cause disturbance in

a. Forest Ecosystem b. Aquatic Ecosystem
c. Global Warming d. Land Ecosystem

21. Mining creates the disturbance in the earth

a. Core b. Crust
c. Does not create any disturbance d. Both core and crust

22. Natural gas is very important fossil fuel and mainly contains
a. Ethane gas b. Methane gas
c. Propane gas d. Butane gas

23. When coal burns in air then

a. Carbon dioxide is formed
b. Sulphur dioxide is formed
c. Carbon monoxide is formed
d. Hydrogen gas is formed

24. PCRA stands for

a. Public Conservations Research Association
b. Petroleum Conservation Research Association
c. Public Council of Research Association
d. Partial Counting of remaining Amendment

25. Which of the following is obtained from coal tar?

a. Petrol b. Coke
c. Air d. Naphthalene balls

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ANSWERS
1. d 2. a 3. d 4. d 5. a 6. b 7. c
8. d 9. b 10. d 11. a 12. a 13. b 14. b
15. a 16. a 17. a 18. b 19. a 20. b 21. b
22. b 23. a 24. b 25. d

SUBJECTIVE
1. Describe the formation of fossil fuels with examples. Fossil fuels are exhaustible or
inexhaustible natural resources?
2. What are the main constituents of coal?
3. What is meant by carbonization?
4. What are the different varieties of the coal and on what basis they are differentiated?
5. The carbon content in this form of coal is about 60-70%. It catches fire easily and is brown in
color. Its burning cause’s pollution as it contains Sulphur. Name the coal?
6. Write the step of carbonization and mention the carbon content in the form of coal formed
in each step?
7. What are the various products obtained from the destructive distillation on the coal?
8. Explain the formation of petroleum?
9. How the mining of petroleum is done?
10. Is natural gas a clean fuel? Give reason for your answer.
11. What are the effects of burning of excessive fossil fuels?
12. Explain all the useful fractions of petroleum?
13. Write any three uses of petroleum?
14. How use of petroleum is responsible for acid rain?
15. What are the advantages of using natural gas over other fuels?
16. Write 5 ways to conserve the fossil fuels?
17. Why CNG is called clean fuel?
18. Why petroleum is called black gold?
19. What are fossil fuels? Name main fossil fuel.
20. What is coal tar? What are its uses?

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NCERT EXERSICE
Q.1. Make a list of various materials used by us in daily life and classify them as natural and
man-made materials (Refer to Activity 5.1).

Q.2. Does this list include air, water, soil and minerals?
Ans. Yes, this list contains, air, water, soil and minerals.

Q.3. Can we use all our natural resources forever?

Ans. No, we cannot use all our natural resources forever, because these are going to exhaust
one day.

Q.4. Can air, water and soil he exhausted by human activities?

Ans. No, these cannot be exhausted at all.

Q.5. Is water a limit less source?

Ans. Yes, water is a limitless source, but by unwise use and cutting of trees, sources of water
can be finished.

Q.6. What are the advantages of using CNG and LPG as fuels?
Ans. The advantages of using CNG and LPG:
(i) CNG and LPG are clean fuels.
(ii) Their cost is low.
(iii) They can he used directly for burning.
(iv) They are easily available.
(v) They do not produce pollution.

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Q.7. Name the petroleum product used for surfacing of roads.
Ans. Bitumen is the petroleum product which is used for surfacing of roads these days.

Q.8. Describe how coal is formed from dead vegetation. What is this process called?
Ans. About 300 million years ago the earth had dense forest in low lying wetland areas. Due to
various natural processes, like flooding and earthquakes, these forests got buried under the
Soil. The soil deposits layer by layer over them, they were compressed. Under high temperature
and pressure the plants got converted to coal slowly. This process is called carbonization.

Q.9. Fill in the blanks.

(a) Fossil fuels are ____ and ______
(b) Process of separation of different constituents from petroleum is called ______
(c) Least polluting fuel for vehicles is ________
Ans. (a) Coal, Petroleum and Natural gas
(b) Refining
(c) Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

Q.10. True/False.
(a) Fossil fuels can be made in the laboratory.
(b) CNG is more polluting fuel than petrol.
(c) Coke is almost pure form of carbon.
(d) Coal tar is a mixture of various substances.
(e) Kerosene is not a fossil fuel.
Ans. (a) False (b) False (c) True (d) True (E) False.

Q.11. Explain why fossil fuels are exhaustible natural resources.

Ans. Fossil fuels are present in limited quantity in the nature. They can be exhausted by human
activities.
So fossil fuels are called exhaustible natural resources.

Q.12. Describe characteristics and uses of coke.

Ans. Characteristic of coke:
(i) Coke is tough.
(ii) It is porous and black substance.
(iii) It is an almost pure form of carbon.
Uses: Coke is used in the manufacture of steel and in the extraction of many metals.

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Q.13. Explain the process of formation of petroleum.
Ans. Petroleum was formed from organisms living in the sea. As these organisms died, their
bodies settled at the bottom of the sea. These bodies got covered with layers of sand and clay.
Over millions of years, in the absence of air, and under high temperature and pressure the dead
bodies are converted into petroleum and natural gas.

Q.14. The following Table shows the total power shortage in India from. 1991-1997. Show the
data in the form of graph. Plot shortage percentage for the years on the y-axis and the year on
x-axis.

Ans. Scale: Along x-axis 1 unit = 1 year

Along y-axis 1 unit = 1%

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