Energy IAFNR MODULE 4 NATURAL RESOURCES

Fossil Fuels Fossil fuels play a large role in how our country operates Fossil Fuels are formed over time from compressed vegetation and include: Coal Oil Natural Gas Tar Sands Oil Shale Image retrieved from:

Coal Black or Brown rock formed from the concentration of carbon matter Coal is classified by the amount of carbon it contains Lignite % carbon aka brown coal Subbituminous-35-45% carbon also considered to be brown coal Bituminous- aka soft coal 45-86% carbon Anthracite- aka hard coal 86-97% carbon, very rare 2013 world coal production million tons Top two countries in Coal production- China and US Image retrieved from: restrictions-can-encourage-clean-coalhttp://theenergycollective.com/ecsjessica/278901/epa- restrictions-can-encourage-clean-coal

Coal Mining Two types of Coal Mines –Strip Mines 50 ft. under surface Produce about 60% of US coal –Underground Mines Multiple methods of underground mining and withdrawal of the coal Very hazardous work – Strict health and safety measure to decrease death rate of miners Uses Coal is said to generate over 40% of the world’s electricity Newest research in Coal industry involves finding new uses for coal Coal Gasification –Experimental process for converting coal into fuel used as a raw product for chemicals and fertilizer –Research shows promise of providing use for high sulfur graded coal

Oil A vital part of US industry, sometimes called “Black Gold” Formed by pressure and shifting of earth and squeezed into rock openings and layers Transported and sold by the barrel (42 Gallons) Oil prices ranged from more than $100 a barrel to less than $48 per barrel. It currently averages at approximately $60. Oil can be distilled into various products Fuels- diesel fuel, gasoline, jet fuel, and kerosene Lubricants- greases, road oils, and medicine oil Petrochemicals- alcohol, ammonia, ink, and paint Image retrieved from: crude-oil-resumes-gainshttps:// crude-oil-resumes-gains

Oil Processing Petroleum Engineers use tools that measure sound waves, and gravitational and magnetic pull to find oil deposits Once Oil is found, company leases the land and drilling begins Oil is brought to the surface and pumped to trucks and taken to a refinery Reserves Oil companies and geologists constantly review how much oil is left –Technology allows oil to be recovered that wasn’t recoverable before World Petroleum Council defines two levels of reserves: –Proved Reserves- well-known deposits located by geologists and engineers –Unproved Reserves- located deposit, but limitations prevent it from being “proved”

Natural Gas One of the most in-demand fuels in the US Used to heat home, cook, produce plastics, detergents, and drugs Gas is normally located just above Oil deposits Most US gas is found in Texas and Louisiana Typically, gas is sold by volume in the US in units of 1,000 cubic feet Image retrieved from:

Alternative Energy Sources Fossil Fuels are non- renewable energy sources and as prices increase, Americans are searching for new energy sources to fulfil their energy needs We will briefly discuss the energy sources in the photo to the right! Image retrieved from: / /

Solar Energy More abundant, less exhaustible and more pollution- free than any other energy source Solar energy system are divided in to two types Active- capture, store, and distribute energy from the sun Passive- provide ways for sun to enter but use natural airflow for distribution Newest research concerns converting sun rays (radiant energy) into electrical energy and the use of solar cells Image retrieved from:

Nuclear Power All matter is composed of atoms which is made up of a nucleus of positively charged protons and neutral neutrons and traveling around outside the nucleus are negatively charged electrons When interactions occur between rays and compounds the atom splits—this is called fission During the fission process heat is given off— this is very important to nuclear power Once a fission process starts it can continue on its own and is called a chain reaction How it works? The reactor within the power plant fissions a mixture of uranium slowly, producing heat and energy 1 lb of uranium can produce 12 million KW hours of power! Concerns of Safety and radioactive waste disposal Image retrieved from: 20th-century_b_ htmlhttp:// 20th-century_b_ html

Geothermal Involves tapping into underground heat sources Steam is piped through the ground to electric generators Disadvantages Energy is not uniformly located around the country Minerals in the steam are hard on machinery Where it is available, it is cheap and clean and can even be used domestically to heat your home!

Geothermal Image retrieved from: tube.com/watch ?v=Rs6n0baLQ 6w tube.com/watch ?v=Rs6n0baLQ 6w

Energy from Biomass Biomass in terms of energy Agricultural, municipal, industrial wastes Plants grown for energy use- corn and other grains Biomass sources Ethanol from grains Methane from biowaste-with use of a digester Energy crops in addition to corn- raw sugar, trees, and oil crops Cellulosic Ethanol Image retrieved from:

Hydropower Hydropower is water power! Power produced from moving water Example: Hoover Dam Water is released through opening and energy is used to drive turbines connected to electrical generators Development opposed in some areas Waters become backed up and it effects surrounding wilderness areas Image retrieved from:

Wind Energy Wind power has been a source for many years Now experimenting with new and more efficient windmills Limitations Wind speeds vary Special building codes for towers and possible interference with air traffic Need for storage mechanism Image retrieved from:

References Camp, W., & Heath-Camp, B. (2009) Managing our Natural Resources. New York: Delmar.