Chapter 12 Energy from Fossil Fuels

Important energy facts Brief history of energy *1700-1800 Fire wood *1900-1920 Coal *1950- now crude oil “production of crude oil” = with drawing it from reserves OPEC (pg 314) organization of petroleum exporting countries (Mid-east countries mainly)

During the oil crisis of 1973… Decrease in crude oil production Increase in crude oil consumption So … the price went up

How are Fossil Fuels Formed?

How much do we have? Coal-several (400) hundred years Natural Gas – at least a 50 year supply in the United States Oil- supplies are close to their peak production. One prediction says we could be out of oil in 2045.

World Oil Production http://www.theoildrum.com/node/3871/ Dr. Francois E. Cellier

Graph Information The black curve (a) shows the historical data of world oil production from 1930 until 2006. The blue curve (b) shows a Hubbert extrapolation model that is based on the last 22 years of historical production data. The model postulates that the peak of world oil production will occur around 2012. The model predicts further that the total amount of oil ever to be produced is 2445 * 109 barrels. Out of those, 50% have already been produced, i.e., still to be produced are 1222.5 * 109 barrels. This number is consistent with the proved oil reserve figures published by BP. According to BP, the proved oil reserves are 1209.5 * 109 barrels. The red curve (c) shows a constant exploitation model. This is the oil utilization model, on which the oil reserves of 40.6 years are based. According to this model, we continue to produce and consume oil at the current level for 40.6 more years, after which time it will be all gone. The green curve (d) shows an exponential growth model. To obtain it, I calculated the average exponential annual growth rate over the last 10 years (1.58%), and postulated that oil exploitation shall continue to grow exponentially. Using this model, the remaining oil reserves will last for another 28 years only. After that time, the oil will be gone.

Where do we get it? We get 50% of our crude oil from foreign sources Alaska pipeline built to help increase production of domestic crude oil

Oil: The Most Important Fossil Fuel in the American Economy Environmental Consequences Production: local ecosystems damage possible Transport: oil spills cause local and regional ecosystem damage Use: photochemical smog, particulates, acid precipitation, carbon dioxide

Coal Environmental Consequences Production: ecosystem damage, reclamation difficult, acid mine runoff, mine tailings, erosion, black lung, radon Transport: energy intensive because of weight and number of train cars needed Use: fossil fuel with largest source of carbon dioxide and greatest quantity of contaminants, large volume of waste, acid precipitation

Types of Coal Peat- not coal; a precursor Lignite- “brown coal” Bituminous- “soft coal;” high in sulfur Anthracite- “hard coal;” low sulfur

Natural Gas Possibly a transition fuel between fossil fuel and alternative energy sources. Environmental Consequences: Production: local ecosystem damage possible if oil or coal is part of the deposit but this fuel could be produced in a renewable way with less ecosystem damage Transport: can be explosive Use: produces the least air pollutants of all the fossil fuels

Could we use other forms of fossil fuels? 21 gallons of oil can be produced from one ton of oil shale There are advances in the technology of extracting oil from the shale that could make it economically feasible and lower the environmental impact.  All of the emissions problems continue to exist with this form of energy As crude oil prices go up, interest in oil shale goes up.

Sustainable Energy Options Conservation is the best energy plan but…YOU have to do your part, the government can’t just fix it. Changing individual habits may be hard. Development of renewable energy sources

Electricity Electricity is a secondary energy source because it relies on another energy source to create the electricity. Basic production of electricity-boil water to produce steam to turn turbines to generate electron flow through a wire. Examples of primary sources for electrical production (U.S.) 20% from nuclear 57% from coal Oil, geothermal, solar, wind, hydroelectric (no boiling water required for these sources) Is electricity a clean energy source?

Hubbert Curve of Oil Production