Topic 18Part 1: Intro to energy and fossil fuels

Energy- the ability to do work. Power- the rate at which work is done.

energy = power X time

Joule= work done by applying a force of 1 newton for 1 meter

Kinetic energyTemperature

Potential energy Chemical energy

Energy is neither created or destroyed. It can be converted from one form to

another.

Figure 2.15

When energy is transformed, the quantity of energy remains the same, but its ability to do work diminishes.

The ease with which an energy source can be used for work.

Different energy sources have different qualities

Gasoline: 44MJ/kg Wood: 20MJ/kg

Process of Commercial Energy

Use

Commercial Electricity Generation

fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) and nuclear fuels.

fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) and nuclear fuels.

Nonrenewable Energies

Waste heat

Coal bunker TurbineCooling tower

transfers waste heat to

atmosphere

Generator

Cooling loop

Stack

Pulverizing mill

Condenser Filter

Boiler

Toxic ash disposal

NOx

SO2

Nitrate and sulfate particulates Carbon ash Mercury

NOx

SO2

Nitrate and sulfate particulates Carbon ash Mercury

Scrubbers, etc.

Fig. 15-4b, p. 375

Oil Refinery

Saudi Arabia could supply the world with oil for about 10 years.

Alaska’s North Slope could meet the world oil demand for 6 months (U.S.: 3 years).

Alaska’s ANWR would meet the world demand for 1-5 months (U.S.: 7-25 months).

three options: Look for more oil. Use or waste less oil. Use something else.

Figure Figure 16-116-1

Oil sands (a.k.a. tar sands) contain a thick and sticky heavy oil called bitumen.

Oil shales contain a waxy, solid,combustible mixture of hydrocarbons called kerogen.

can be heated to yield a distillate called shale oil.

It takes about 1.8 metric tons (2 US tons) of oil sand or shale to produce one barrel of oil.

Consists mostly of methane and is often found above reservoirs of crude oil.

Some pockets are in Shale rock…need to “frack” to get out

Traditional New

Traditional New

Associated water issues

•Groundwater contamination

•Surface water contamination

•Excessive water use

Habitat destruction Earthquakes Methane leakage Subsidence of land Soil salinization or heavy metal build-up

Habitat destruction Earthquakes Methane leakage Subsidence of land Soil salinization or heavy metal build-up

Coal bed methane Trapped by overlying aquifers Released for extraction by pumping out water

Controversy: Opposed by ranchers, farmers, anglers, hunters,

conservationists Defended by energy companies

Methane hydrates- methane trapped in ice crystals deep under the arctic permafrost and beneath deep-ocean sediments

“Combustible ice”