Topic 2: Fossil Fuels Unit 6

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

Coal  the buried remains of land plants that lived million years ago.  It took a lot of heat, pressure, and time.  the buried remains of land plants that lived million years ago.  It took a lot of heat, pressure, and time.

Types of Coal

COAL  Coal reserves could last hundreds to over a thousand years.  The U.S. has 27% of the world’s proven coal reserves, followed by Russia (17%), and China (13%).  In 2005, China and the U.S. accounted for 53% of the global coal consumption.  Coal reserves could last hundreds to over a thousand years.  The U.S. has 27% of the world’s proven coal reserves, followed by Russia (17%), and China (13%).  In 2005, China and the U.S. accounted for 53% of the global coal consumption.

COAL  Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel  Extraction has a high environmental impact  Burning releases lots of CO 2 into the troposphere, plus sulfur dioxide and mercury  Also, negative side effects for human health (asthma, mercury poisoning)  Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel  Extraction has a high environmental impact  Burning releases lots of CO 2 into the troposphere, plus sulfur dioxide and mercury  Also, negative side effects for human health (asthma, mercury poisoning)

Waste heat Coal bunker Turbine Cooling tower transfers waste heat to atmosphere Generator Cooling loop Stack Pulverizing mill Condenser Filter Boiler Toxic ash disposal

Emissions  NO x  SO 2  Nitrate and sulfate particulates  Carbon ash  Mercury  NO x  SO 2  Nitrate and sulfate particulates  Carbon ash  Mercury

Methods for dealing with emissions  Scrubbers, etc. Scrubbers,  Scrubbers, etc. Scrubbers,

OIL  Crude oil (a component of petroleum) is a thick liquid containing hydrocarbons  It’s extracted from underground deposits.  Formed from marine (mostly) microorganisms under intense pressure and heat  Crude oil (a component of petroleum) is a thick liquid containing hydrocarbons  It’s extracted from underground deposits.  Formed from marine (mostly) microorganisms under intense pressure and heat

Crude Oil  Only 35-50% can be economically recovered from a deposit.  As prices rise, about 10-25% more can be recovered from expensive secondary extraction techniques  This lowers the net energy yield.  Geochemists are working on using microorganisms to increase flow of heavy oil this may increase economically recoverable yields to 75%

 Refining crude oil:  Based on boiling points, components are removed at various layers in a giant distillation column.  The most volatile components with the lowest boiling points are removed at the top.  Refining crude oil:  Based on boiling points, components are removed at various layers in a giant distillation column.  The most volatile components with the lowest boiling points are removed at the top.

Fig. 15-4b, p. 375 Oil Refinery

Global Oil  Thirteen OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) countries have at least 60% of the world’s proven oil reserves and most of the world’s unproven reserves.  Member countries: Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela.  OPEC supplies most of the world with oil, thus politics are heavily influenced by the oil market.  After global production peaks and begins a slow decline, oil prices will rise and could threaten the economies of countries that have not shifted to new energy alternatives.  Geologists expect global peak production to occur in years, depending on their computer models.  Thirteen OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) countries have at least 60% of the world’s proven oil reserves and most of the world’s unproven reserves.  Member countries: Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela.  OPEC supplies most of the world with oil, thus politics are heavily influenced by the oil market.  After global production peaks and begins a slow decline, oil prices will rise and could threaten the economies of countries that have not shifted to new energy alternatives.  Geologists expect global peak production to occur in years, depending on their computer models.

U.S. Oil Supplies  The U.S. – the world’s largest oil user – has only 2.4% of the world’s proven oil reserves.  U.S oil production peaked in  The US imports about 60% of our oil, 70% by 2020  About 60% of these U.S oil imports goes through refineries in hurricane-prone regions of the Gulf Coast.  The U.S. – the world’s largest oil user – has only 2.4% of the world’s proven oil reserves.  U.S oil production peaked in  The US imports about 60% of our oil, 70% by 2020  About 60% of these U.S oil imports goes through refineries in hurricane-prone regions of the Gulf Coast.

ANWR Case Study

Arctic tundra

What is another side to the story?  Arctic Power, an organization that says opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling would provide jobs and energy, and would not harm the caribou herds, promotes drilling in the Refuge.  The following clip is narrated by an Inupiak man who lives in the small town of Kaktovik in the coastal area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

What will happen if ANWR is developed by the oil industry?  Construction and use of:  drilling sites,  airstrips,  Housing  Pipelines and storage facilities  Increased air traffic  Seismic surveying

Who has a stake in the future of ANWR? Who would benefit from opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling? Who might be harmed by it?

Another oil controversy… Another oil controversy…

How Long Will the Oil Party Last?  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).  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).

How Long Will the Oil Party Last?  three options:  Look for more oil.  Use or waste less oil.  Use something else.  three options:  Look for more oil.  Use or waste less oil.  Use something else. Figure 16-1

OIL  Burning oil for transportation accounts for 43% of global CO 2 emissions.

Heavy Oils: Oil Sands  Oil sands (a.k.a. tar sands) contain a thick and sticky heavy oil called bitumen.

Oil Sands  Alberta, Canada has 75% of the world’s known reserves of oil sands.  Remaining 25% in Venezuela, Colombia, Russia, & Utah  Canadian & Venezuelan deposits exceed conventional oil deposits in Saudi Arabia and approach those of the entire Middle East.  In 2003, geologists started counting Canadian oil sands along with conventional reserves, giving Canada 15% of the world’s known reserves of crude oil.  China has invested in 2 Canadian oil sand companies, and has built a pipeline from Alberta to shipping ports on the Pacific Coast.  Alberta, Canada has 75% of the world’s known reserves of oil sands.  Remaining 25% in Venezuela, Colombia, Russia, & Utah  Canadian & Venezuelan deposits exceed conventional oil deposits in Saudi Arabia and approach those of the entire Middle East.  In 2003, geologists started counting Canadian oil sands along with conventional reserves, giving Canada 15% of the world’s known reserves of crude oil.  China has invested in 2 Canadian oil sand companies, and has built a pipeline from Alberta to shipping ports on the Pacific Coast.

Oil Sands  Producing crude oil from oil sands currently costs $13 per barrel, compared to $1-2 per barrel for Saudi oil and $7.50-$10 per barrel in the US.  Severe environmental impacts from oil sands: –Uses large volumes of water –Huge amounts of toxic sludge –Large inputs of natural gas –Boreal forest turned to “moonscape” –Massive mounds of toxic tailings

Heavy Oils: Oil Shales Oil shales contain a waxy, solid, combustible mixture of hydrocarbons called kerogen. Oil shales contain a waxy, solid, combustible mixture of hydrocarbons called kerogen.  can be heated to yield a distillate called shale oil.

Oil Shales  50% of global oil shale reserves are in the Western US (USA: “the Saudi Arabia of oil shale”) –Green River Formation in Wyoming, Utah, Colorado –Potentially 3x Saudi conventional oil reserves –Could meet current US demands for 110 years.  Estimated global supplies are about 240x global conventional supplies. –Could meet 25% of global demand by 2020 –Low grade deposits –Energy, time, and money to convert to crude oil –Higher environmental impact than conventional oil extraction

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

NATURAL GAS  Consists mostly of methane and is often found above reservoirs of crude oil.  Formed from the remains of aquatic microorganisms under intense heat and pressure (even greater heat than oil)  When a natural gas-field is tapped, propane and butane gasses are liquefied and removed as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).  Methane is distributed through pressurized pipe lines as a gas or super-condensed to a liquid (LNG).  Consists mostly of methane and is often found above reservoirs of crude oil.  Formed from the remains of aquatic microorganisms under intense heat and pressure (even greater heat than oil)  When a natural gas-field is tapped, propane and butane gasses are liquefied and removed as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).  Methane is distributed through pressurized pipe lines as a gas or super-condensed to a liquid (LNG).

Fracking article  Industry scientists call the possibility of groundwater contamination by fracking operations “highly improbable” based on their data. Why is their data questionable?  What kinds of substances are in flowback water?  What are some precautions being used when dealing with the waste flowback water?  What are some examples of mismanagement of flowback water and other negative impacts of the fracking process on groundwater?

Hydraulic fracturing  Traditional  New Associated water issues Groundwater contamination Surface water contamination Excessive water use

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

Economic benefits of fracking  Domestic energy source  Job creation  Individuals’ economic gains through land leasing

NATURAL GAS  Russia and Iran have almost half of the world’s reserves of conventional gas, and global reserves should last years.  Russia is the “Saudi Arabia of natural gas”  Natural gas is a versatile and clean-burning fuel, but it releases the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide (when burned) and methane (from leaks) into the troposphere.  Methane is 25x more potent greenhouse gas than CO 2  Russia and Iran have almost half of the world’s reserves of conventional gas, and global reserves should last years.  Russia is the “Saudi Arabia of natural gas”  Natural gas is a versatile and clean-burning fuel, but it releases the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide (when burned) and methane (from leaks) into the troposphere.  Methane is 25x more potent greenhouse gas than CO 2

NATURAL GAS  USA- imports 20% of its natural gas  95% of US imports are from Canada  imports from Russia and the Middle east are expected to increase  Transported as LNG (liquefied natural gas)  USA- imports 20% of its natural gas  95% of US imports are from Canada  imports from Russia and the Middle east are expected to increase  Transported as LNG (liquefied natural gas)

Natural Gas Pipeline Distribution

Natural gas from oil wells far from gas distribution systems is “flared off” rather than release CH 4

Unconventional Natural Gas  Coal bed methane  Trapped by overlying aquifers  Released for extraction by pumping out water  depletes aquifers  releases CH 4  produces huge volumes of contaminated water  degrades land with extraction infrastructure (pipes, sludge pits, etc.)  Controversy:  Opposed by ranchers, farmers, anglers, hunters, conservationists  Defended by energy companies:  Reduces dependence on Canadian & eventually Russian CH 4  Produces less CO 2 than coal and oil sands  Coal bed methane  Trapped by overlying aquifers  Released for extraction by pumping out water  depletes aquifers  releases CH 4  produces huge volumes of contaminated water  degrades land with extraction infrastructure (pipes, sludge pits, etc.)  Controversy:  Opposed by ranchers, farmers, anglers, hunters, conservationists  Defended by energy companies:  Reduces dependence on Canadian & eventually Russian CH 4  Produces less CO 2 than coal and oil sands

Unconventional Natural Gas  Methane hydrates- methane trapped in ice crystals deep under the arctic permafrost and beneath deep-ocean sediments  1% of US deposits could double our domestic supply of natural gas  “Leaks” when brought to surface  Extraction could cause sea bed landslides/ tsunamis  Methane hydrates- methane trapped in ice crystals deep under the arctic permafrost and beneath deep-ocean sediments  1% of US deposits could double our domestic supply of natural gas  “Leaks” when brought to surface  Extraction could cause sea bed landslides/ tsunamis

Unconventional Natural Gas: Methane Hydrates “Combustible ice”