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Abstract
Carbon is only a trace element in the structure of the earth (carbon content of the earth's crust is 0.04% [l]), but it is an indispensable necessity of life and provides the major source of energy through carbonaceous residues (peat, lignite, coal) and fuels (oil and natural gas) which have been produced over millions of years by chemical and bacteriological decompositions of organic matter originally deposited in ancient sediments. There is little doubt that coal and petroleum oils have been known for many hundreds of years but, preceding the industrial revolution of the 19th century, they were not of any importance. However, the advent of this industrial revolution has caused man to turn from wood to coal and petroleum as a main source of fuel. Furthermore, with the onset of the 20th century and the development of a technologically oriented society, further uses have been found not only for coal and petroleum, but also for products derived from these fossil materials. Thus, vast industries have emerged which rely upon the conversion of coal and petroleum to many varied and interesting by-products, and we are still progressing at a rate where further uses for coal- and petroleum-derived materials are rapidly being discovered.