January 26, 2009

• Conventional Energy Sources, continued

U.S. Coal Flow Diagram

If we want to reduce coal use, and the problems associated with it, what sector of the economy should we increase the efficiency of?

http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/coal/reserves/chapter1.html

Coal deposits are found in “seams” that can range in

size from inches to hundreds of feet

thick.

• Extraction of coal– Open pit mining

– Mountain top removal

– Deep mining

• Transport of coal

Use of Coal• Air and Water Pollution

– Heavy metals

– Sulfur

– Residual waste

• Waste Heat Pollution

• Coal Ash Spill in E. TN• http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=BZhT4jx2XZ8

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ats3dClc0No&NR=1

U.S. Natural Gas Flow Diagram

Where Natural Gas is Found and US Production

U.S. Electricity Flow Diagram, 2007

http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epa/figes1.html

Reserves to Production Ratio

Oil – 40 years

Natural Gas – 67 years

Coal – 180 years

Energy Return on Investment declining!

Challenges with Conventional Energy Sources

1. Environmental impacts of extraction, transport and refining

2. Environmental impacts of combustion:• Local and regional air pollution• Global climate change

3. Non-renewable nature / long-term availability of supplies

4. Security of supplies (esp. crude oil)

Energy and Air Pollution: Local Scale

www.kidsearthfund.org

Overview of Topics

• Pollutants• Primary and secondary pollutants• Scales of Air Pollution

– Local: photochemical smog– Local: Gray-Air or Industrial Smog– Regional: acidic deposition– Clean Air Act– Global: Ozone Depletion and Global climate

change

Pollutants• chemicals in the atmosphere in quantities and

duration that are harmful to human health and the environment

Types of air pollutants

– Primary pollutants -

– Secondary pollutants -

Pollutants

1. CO

2. SO2

3. NOx (NO and NO2)

4. Particulate Matter

5. Photochemical oxidants in smog (O3, PANs, H2O2)

6. Lead

• Damages Organs• Affects:

– Brain and Nerves

– Heart and Blood

– Plants and Animals

– Fish

Primary vs. SecondaryPrimary Pollutants

Secondary Pollutants

Sources

Natural

Stationary

CO CO2

SO2 NO NO2

Most hydrocarbons

Most suspendedparticles

SO3

HNO3 H2SO4

H2O2 O3 PANs

Most and saltsNO3–

Mobile

SO42 –

Classic Smog City: Los Angeles• Sunny climate• Light winds• Mountains on three sides• Ocean on the other side• Thermal inversions

(www.chitambo.com)

Temperature Inversions

Pollutants vs. Time of DayNitric oxide Nitrogen dioxide Ozone

40

30

20

10

06 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8A.M. Noon P.M.

Time

Par

ts p

er m

illi

on

Pollution from China??????

• http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2006/Jul/30/bz/FP607300313.html

Top Ozone Cities

Best Cities

Effects of photochemical oxidants such as O3

• Damage lungs and stress the heart

• Cause loss of immune system function

• Kill plant cells: brown spots

• Reduce tree growth and make them more susceptible to other damages

• Corrode and destroy materials such as paint, rubber.