Primary fuel: Difference between revisions
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<onlyinclude>'''Primary fuels''' or '''primary energy sources''' are [[energy density|dense]] sources of [[primary energy]] found as [[natural resource]]s. Primary fuels are [[fuel]]s that are found in nature and can be extracted, captured, cleaned, or graded without any sort of energy conversion or transformation process.</onlyinclude> This means that all processing and collecting of the fuel is done before the fuel is converted into [[heat]] or [[work|mechanical work]].<ref name="RE1">Sara Øvergaard. (June 4, 2015). ''Issue paper: Definition of primary and secondary energy '' [Online]. Available: http://unstats.un.org/unsd/envaccounting/londongroup/meeting13/LG13_12a.pdf</ref> These primary fuels tend to be non-renewable, and some of the most commonly known primary fuels are [[fossil fuel]]s. Energy harvested from primary fuels tends to make up most of a country's [[total primary energy supply]] or '''TPES'''. | <onlyinclude>'''Primary fuels''' or '''primary energy sources''' are [[energy density|dense]] sources of [[primary energy]] found as [[natural resource]]s. Primary fuels are [[fuel]]s that are found in nature and can be extracted, captured, cleaned, or graded without any sort of energy conversion or transformation process.</onlyinclude> This means that all processing and collecting of the fuel is done before the fuel is converted into [[heat]] or [[work|mechanical work]].<ref name="RE1">Sara Øvergaard. (June 4, 2015). ''Issue paper: Definition of primary and secondary energy '' [Online]. Available: http://unstats.un.org/unsd/envaccounting/londongroup/meeting13/LG13_12a.pdf</ref> These primary fuels tend to be non-renewable, and some of the most commonly known primary fuels are [[fossil fuel]]s. Energy harvested from primary fuels tends to make up most of a country's [[total primary energy supply]] or '''TPES'''. | ||
Primary fuels such as coal should be distinguished from [[flow]]s like [[wind]] and [[solar power]]. Although they are all sources of primary energy, primary fuels are "consumed". In contrast, a flow such as wind doesn't get "consumed"—rather, it makes more sense to think of flows as being "utilized". It is also important to distinguish primary fuels from [[secondary fuel]]s like [[gasoline]]. Secondary fuels are derived from primary fuels through some sort of distillation process. Gasoline, for example, is created after [[fractional distillation|distilling]] a primary fuel, [[oil]]. | Primary fuels such as coal should be distinguished from [[primary energy flow]]s like [[wind]] and [[solar power]]. Although they are all sources of primary energy, primary fuels are "consumed". In contrast, a flow such as wind doesn't get "consumed"—rather, it makes more sense to think of flows as being "utilized". It is also important to distinguish primary fuels from [[secondary fuel]]s like [[gasoline]]. Secondary fuels are derived from primary fuels through some sort of distillation process. Gasoline, for example, is created after [[fractional distillation|distilling]] a primary fuel, [[oil]]. | ||
The distinction between primary fuels and [[energy currency|energy currencies]] like [[electricity]] is also important. Primary fuels are sources of primary energy, and this energy—once obtained from the fuel itself—is transformed into forms that are easier to use, transport, or store.<ref>Scott, ''Smelling Land'', 1st edition. Vancouver, Canada: Canadian Hydrogen Association, 2007</ref> Essentially, energy currencies are ways of transporting the energy obtained from primary fuels. | The distinction between primary fuels and [[energy currency|energy currencies]] like [[electricity]] is also important. Primary fuels are sources of primary energy, and this energy—once obtained from the fuel itself—is transformed into forms that are easier to use, transport, or store.<ref>Scott, ''Smelling Land'', 1st edition. Vancouver, Canada: Canadian Hydrogen Association, 2007</ref> Essentially, energy currencies are ways of transporting the energy obtained from primary fuels. | ||
Revision as of 22:24, 10 April 2020
Primary fuels or primary energy sources are dense sources of primary energy found as natural resources. Primary fuels are fuels that are found in nature and can be extracted, captured, cleaned, or graded without any sort of energy conversion or transformation process. This means that all processing and collecting of the fuel is done before the fuel is converted into heat or mechanical work.[1] These primary fuels tend to be non-renewable, and some of the most commonly known primary fuels are fossil fuels. Energy harvested from primary fuels tends to make up most of a country's total primary energy supply or TPES.
Primary fuels such as coal should be distinguished from primary energy flows like wind and solar power. Although they are all sources of primary energy, primary fuels are "consumed". In contrast, a flow such as wind doesn't get "consumed"—rather, it makes more sense to think of flows as being "utilized". It is also important to distinguish primary fuels from secondary fuels like gasoline. Secondary fuels are derived from primary fuels through some sort of distillation process. Gasoline, for example, is created after distilling a primary fuel, oil.
The distinction between primary fuels and energy currencies like electricity is also important. Primary fuels are sources of primary energy, and this energy—once obtained from the fuel itself—is transformed into forms that are easier to use, transport, or store.[2] Essentially, energy currencies are ways of transporting the energy obtained from primary fuels.
Types of Primary Fuels
As mentioned above, most of the primary fuels used currently are non-renewable. However, one major renewable primary fuel is from biomass sources. Other examples of primary fuel include:[3]
Primary fuels such as these can be obtained from the ground using several different mining techniques. While coal is mined more "traditionally" using strip mines or deep mines, certain sources of natural gas such as shale gas or tight gas are obtained by fracturing large stones with poor permeability. Overall, there are many different ways to obtain these vital resources.
Interactive Data Simulation
The data simulation below shows the energy production of countries worldwide based on their energy source. Note that some of the energy sources are from flows, such as hydro, wind, and solar. Production from the fuels such as oil, coal, peat, natural gas, and nuclear (uranium and thorium) are all energy produced from primary fuels.
For Further Reading
- Primary energy
- Fuel vs flow
- Natural resource
- Energy currency
- Or explore a random page
References
- ↑ Sara Øvergaard. (June 4, 2015). Issue paper: Definition of primary and secondary energy [Online]. Available: http://unstats.un.org/unsd/envaccounting/londongroup/meeting13/LG13_12a.pdf
- ↑ Scott, Smelling Land, 1st edition. Vancouver, Canada: Canadian Hydrogen Association, 2007
- ↑ American Petroleum Institute. (June 4, 2014). Primary Energy Sources [Online]. Available: http://www.classroom-energy.org/energy_09/3.html