How Many Types of Fuel are There

Introduction

There are mainly 3 types of Fuel that can be found in nature. When a substance produces energy, it goes under several nuclear and chemical processes that can further be transformed into some useful work, which is known as Fuel. The law of Conservation of Energy states that ‘Energy can neither be created nor be destroyed, it can only be converted from one form to another’. Hence, we cannot create energy to do a particular work. Therefore, we use significant substances, which help us to convert one form of energy into another. The substance we use to do a conversion between the energy forms is called the Fuel.

Main Content

Fuels are categorised mainly based on two characteristics:

1. On the basis of Occurrence – There are two types of fuel, based on its occurrence, namely Natural Fuels, Fossil Fuels, Bio Fuels, and Artificial Fuels.

2. On the basis of States – There are three types of fuel, based on their States, namely Solid Fuels, Liquid Fuels, and Gaseous Fuels.

Natural, Fossil, Bio, and Artificial Fuels both exist in these three states, namely solid, liquid, and gaseous.

Solid Fuels

The fuels that are originally found in their solid form are known as Solid Fuels. It was the first type of fuel that was used by humans, primarily wood to generate fire. Coal is another solid form of fuel that is highly usable in industries, and initially, steam engines and train ran with coal.

It is easy to store and transportable. It is usually found in moderate igneous temperatures. It has a low production cost.

Coal, Wood, Charcoal, Oil Shale, Straw, and Briquettes are a few examples of Solid state fuels.

Liquid Fuels

The fuels that are originally found in their liquid state are known as Liquid Fuels. Most liquid fuels are obtained from fossil fuels. Fossil Fuels are made from decaying and decomposed remains of dead animals buried inside the earth, and they came out as high-quality fuel. Instead of liquid, the fumes of liquid are more flammable.

It has a greater calorific value, per unit mass. It can be burned without clinkers and ashes. It is easy to control the combustion of liquid fuels. It is easy to transport, and can easily be storable without any loss. It lowers energy loss as compared to other fuels. It does not require much space for combustion.

Petroleum, Alcohol, Shale-Oil, and Coal Tar are a few examples of Liquid state fuels.

Gaseous Fuels

Gaseous Fuels are primarily found in their gaseous form. It can easily be found in nature. Many gaseous fuels are composed of hydrogen, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, or a fusion of them all. It is easily transportable through pipes, and has effortless combustion, compared to others. It has high heat content, and it does not require any significant burner technology.

Natural Gas, Water Gas, Acetylene, Oil Gas, and Blast Furnace Gas are a few examples of Gaseous state fuels.

Conclusion

Fuel is a kind of substance, which is burned to provide power, heat, or nuclear energy that can further be taken in several kinds of powerful work that needs high energy. Mainly there are only three categories of fuels, which are solid, liquid, and gaseous. Moreover, these states of fuels exist in each occurrence of fuel, such as natural, fossil, artificial, and biofuels.

The primary natural and solid fuels are coal, dung, peat, wood, etc. and coke and charcoal are several artificial solid fuels.

The primary naturally obtained liquid fuel is petroleum, and kerosene, ethanol, diesel, gasoline, and LPG are a few artificial liquid fuels.

The primary naturally obtained gaseous fuel is Natural Gas, and coal gas, methane, CNG, hydrogen, propane, and water gas are several artificial gaseous fuels.