Synfuels = Synthetic fuels Produced from coal, natural gas, or biomass feedstock through chemical conversion Chemically the same as crude oil or processed fuels, but were synthesized artificially.

Synfuels Used to replace oil/natural gas Derived from natural sources (like fossil fuels) More expensive than fossil fuels Production requires mining 50% more coal (which adds 50% to atm) Intense Chemical & Physical Changes

3 Most Popular Types of Synfuels Extra Heavy Oil Oil Sands Oil Shale 

Extra Heavy Oil Cannot easily flow to production wells under normal reservoir conditions Higher viscosity Higher specific gravity Heavier molecular composition Forms when oil that was once buried deep is exposed to bacteria that break down hydrocarbons and changes oil’s physical properties.

Extra Heavy Oil Bitumen = virtually immobile, amount of reserves

Oil or Tar Sands Tar Sand or Oil Sand – mixture of clay, sand, water, and bitumen (oil) net energy Bitumen = thick, sticky, tarlike heavy oil with high sulfur content

Oil or Tar Sands Must be surface mined + heated Must be refined before use (like oil)

Strip Mining for Tar Sands in Alberta* Figure 15.8: Producing heavy oil from Canada’s Alberta tar sands project involves strip-mining areas large enough to be seen from outer space, draining wetlands, and diverting rivers. It also produces huge amounts of air and water pollution and has been called the world’s most environmentally destructive project. For oil from the sands to be profitable, oil must sell for $70–90 a barrel. Fig. 15-8, p. 378

Oil Shale Rocks containing kerogen (insoluble bitumen) Kerogen – mixture of hydrocarbons converts to crude oil when exposed to extreme heat & pressure. LOW net energy yield

Oil Shale Rock and the Shale Oil Extracted from It Figure 15.9: Shale oil (right) can be extracted from oil shale rock (left). However, producing shale oil requires large amounts of water and has a low net energy yield and a very high environmental impact. Fig. 15-9, p. 379

Oil from Shale Sedimentary rocks are crushed & heated Kerogen extracted & refined VERY $$$$$$ Abundant

Trade-Offs: Heavy Oils from Oil Shale and Oil Sand Figure 15.10: Using heavy oil from tar sands and oil shales as an energy resource has advantages and disadvantages (Concept 15-2b). Questions: Which single advantage and which single disadvantage do you think are the most important? Why? Fig. 15-10, p. 379

OTHER Synfuels Gas Hydrates aka Methane Hydrates Ice encrusted natural gas found deep underground in permafrost or beneath ocean floor VERY $$$$$

OTHER Synfuels Coal Liquefaction Liquid made from coal but is less polluting ( less sulfur) VERY $$$$$$

Other Synfuels Coal Gasification (Synthetic Natural Gas – SNG) Production of methane from coal Burns similar to natural gas Scrubbers not needed VERY $$$$

Problems with Synfuels CO2 emissions, global warming Cannot be used in areas with water problems because of huge volumes needed to create/process/refine Land disturbance associated with mining and extraction

US Energy Strategy

US Energy Strategy Limited fossil fuel supply Pollution from burning of fossil fuels is increasing Foreign dependence on oil makes us vulnerable Click on the GapMinder Graph Link to investigate CO2 Emissions

WHAT SHOULD WE DO!?

WHAT SHOULD WE DO?! Government intervention to: Remove traditional subsidies/tax breaks for fossil fuels and provide subsidies/tax breaks for alternative energy use

Bush Administration Actions  Denied US participation in Kyoto Protocol to reduce CO2 emissions based on unequal financial burden on developed countries Proposed $2 billion government subsidy program for “cleaner coal” technology Supported Clean Air Act exceptions for older coal burning power plants already existing/producing

Obama Administration Actions... Much of the same 