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Published byAlexis McGee Modified over 9 years ago
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Energy Resources
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Energy resources: coal, petroleum, and natural gas Considered fossil fuel because derived from remains of plants and/or animals Composed mostly of carbon and hydrogen Energy derived from the stored energy of living organisms Energy released through combustion Combustion releases CO 2 and pollutants to atmosphere
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Coal Coal – organic sedimentary rock made from plant remains in a low-oxygen environment –Mainly used to in coal-fired electric generating plants –Significant pollutants given off when burned –Reserves should last until ~2200 AD –Forming much slower than consumption rate
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Fig. 5.17, p.108
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Petroleum Petroleum – liquid hydrocarbon formed from organic residue of plants and animals. –Burial in mud, slow heating –Source rock – typically an organic shale –Oil traps – folds or other rock structures that trap rising petroleum – Reservoir Rock – permeable rock (e.g. sandstone, limestone) that holds oil in pores
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Fig. 5.19a, p.109
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Fig. 5.19b, p.109
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Fig. 5.19c, p.109
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Fig. 5.20, p.110
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Extraction of Petroleum Extraction – companies drill wells into reservoir rock –Wells getting deeper –Much oil too viscous to pump Secondary recovery – injection of water Tertiary recovery – use of superheated steam and/or surfactants –Found in hostile / sensitive places Open sea floor, ANWR, Middle East
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Natural Gas Natural gas – forms when source rock rises above 100°C –Often found with oil –Mainly methane, used as fuel without processing –Coal bed methane – associated with coal seams Depletes water table Is often saline and poses pollution hazard
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Nuclear fuels and reactors Nuclear fuels – radioactive isotopes to generate electricity Fission reactors (branching chain reaction) –Fuel rod –Control rods –Heat exchangers –Powers steam turbine
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Nuclear fuels and reactors Processing and using nuclear fuels creates radioactive wastes Used fuel could be recovered, but in the US it is not done. –Disposal of fuel rods Hazards: Three-mile Island & Chernobyl
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Fig. 5.28, p.117
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