Chapter 11 Fossil Fuels
Energy Consumption Per capita energy consumption
Energy Consumption Energy consumption in the US
Energy Consumption Energy consumption in the US
Energy Consumption Energy consumption in the US
Fossil Fuels Are nonrenewable resources How Fossil Fuels Formed
Coal Types of Coal: Lignite (lowest quality) Subbituminous coal Anthracite (highest quality)
Coal Coal Reserves
Coal Two basic types of Coal Mining: 1) Subsurface (underground)
Coal Safety Problems Associated with Coal 1) Increased risk of cancer 2) Black lung disease
Coal Environmental Impacts of the Mining Process: Prior to 1977, most surface mines were abandoned. Leading to water pollution and acid mine drainage. Current law requires all surface mines to be reclaimed.
Coal Environmental Impacts of Burning Coal: Increases CO2 concentration in atmosphere Lower quality coals release sulfur and nitrogen dioxides, causing acid deposition
Coal Making Coal a Cleaner Fuel Using scrubbers Using fluidized-bed combustion
Oil and Natural Gas World commercial energy sources for electrical power:
Oil and Natural Gas Petroleum refining
Oil and Natural Gas Exploration for Oil and Natural Gas
Oil and Natural Gas Reserves of Oil
Oil and Natural Gas Reserves of Natural Gas
Oil and Natural Gas Global Oil Demand and Supply North America & Western Europe Consumption Production Persian Gulf region 50.6% 28.9% 5.9% 26.7%
Oil and Natural Gas Environmental Impacts of Oil and Natural Gas Production – Land disturbance Transport – Oil spills Combustion – Pollution Increased CO2 emissions Acid deposition
Oil and Natural Gas Largest Oil Spill in the US: Alaska, 1989
Oil and Natural Gas Largest Oil Spill in the US: Alaska, 1989
Oil and Natural Gas Case-in-Point: The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Synfuels and Other Potential Fossil Fuel Resources Synthetic fuel sources: Tar sands (oil sands) Oil shales Gas hydrates Coal liquefaction Coal gasification Problem: these all still produce CO2
The U.S. Energy Strategy Obj. 1: Increase energy efficiency and conservation
The U.S. Energy Strategy Obj. 1: Increase energy efficiency and conservation Obj. 2: Secure future fossil fuel energy supplies Obj. 3: Develop alternative energy sources Obj. 4: Meet above objectives without further damage to the environment