Coal Notes

Before the bell rings… Grab notes sheets off middle Open the article I sent you on Google Docs, read, and answer all 3 questions in your notes.

Take out your notes and answer these questions….in writing! What is a non-renewable resource? Give some examples… What is a renewable resource?

What are Resources (2 types)? Renewable resources – resources replaced as they used Ex. Water, plants (trees), air, sun Nonrenewable Resources – have a limited supply Ex. Minerals and Fossil fuels

What are Fossil Fuels? Fossil Fuels – Forms of stored energy that are remains of living things made primarily of carbon and hydrogen through the process of carbonization. Ex. coal, oil, natural gas

What is Carbonization? Carbonization – The partial decomposition of plants releasing gases which change the chemical composition of the plants leaving only carbon and hydrogen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YHsxXEVB1M

Watch this video… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJ-J91SwP8w What do you think? What is the message here? What do you agree with/disagree with?

What is Coal? Coal- formed from partially decomposed Plant/Animal matter, which is turned into solid brittle rock when it is compressed over a long period of time.

Coal Facts You Should Know! Common: The most abundant fossil fuel Compressed:5-10 ft of decomposed material makes about 1 ft of coal Cheap: Less than half the price per million BTU than oil and natural gas.

Coal Fast Facts How much power?- 1 lb. of coal can power 10-100 watt light bulbs for an hour How much left?- Should last for about 250 years at the current rate of use Use decreased during the 40’s and 50’s because oil and gas was easier to use and more available due to WWI and WWII. Use has been increasing since the Arab Oil Embargo of 1973.

Oil Embargo- 1973-74 News Cast

More Coal Fast Facts It is now used mainly for the generation of electricity In 2012 it was responsible for 20% of the nation’s energy consumption (39% electricity) Mostly transported by train or barge China is the major producer and the U.S. is second http://www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/annual/pecss_diagram.cfm

Take out your notes… Try to draw a diagram of what a coal powerplant looks like…

How Coal Generates Electricity Coal Factory Animation

Problems with Coal

In your books (pg 436) describe each of the following… Peat Lignite Subbituminous Bituminous Anthracite Coke (on back of notes sheet)

Problems with Coal… Contains sulfur causing air pollution when burned. Makes acid rain! High amounts of air pollution (CO2 and SO2) are given off by coal power plants. Causes more air pollution when burned than any other fossil fuel

Coal Mining Underground mining: dangerous, collapsed mines, fires, gas explosions, and black lung (lungs are coated in coal dust) Strip Mining - the overlying layer of rock is stripped to get to the coal from the surface. this is cheaper, safer, and yields 3x’s more coal than underground mining

Centrailia and an Explosion Centralia Video Mine Explosion Video

Problems with Strip Mining Less than one-half of the mines have been reclaimed… restored to their natural state Acid Mine Drainage: (AMD) is when water reacts with mineral in the open mine forming highly acidic water pollution the environment killing aquatic organisms and waterfowl

AMD in PA AMD IN PA

Solutions to Coal Use Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 requires that mined land be restored to its primary use (forest, field, etc.) Clean Air Act of 1990 forces companies to reduce the emissions (release) of SO2 and NO2 when burning coal More coal in this country is coming from the mid-west instead of the east because it contains less sulfur New technologies are being invented to reduce air pollutants from coal (scrubber - sprays the gas with lime or calcium water binding the SO2, causing it to settle out – expensive process to install) ***Using natural gas is cleaner because it releases one-half the CO2 and SO2 of coal

Reclamation

Synthetic Fuels Fuels produced by chemically changing fossil fuels like coal. They are cleaner burning In your books, pg 446, find the notes for… Liquid Coal Coal Gas Oil Shale

Fracking http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pCvdOg0Cec&feature=fvst