Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Nonrenewable Energy Resources

Energy resourcesEnergy resources

99% of energy used to heat the earth and all the buildings comes from the sun

The sun also creates renewable energy resources – wind, flowing water, biomass

99% of energy used to heat the earth and all the buildings comes from the sun

The sun also creates renewable energy resources – wind, flowing water, biomass

The restThe rest

The last 1% comes from fuel resources

Fossil fuels make up the vast majority

Petroleum, coal, and natural gas

A small portion also comes from nuclear sources

The last 1% comes from fuel resources

Fossil fuels make up the vast majority

Petroleum, coal, and natural gas

A small portion also comes from nuclear sources

Is it getting hot in here?Is it getting hot in here?

Which energy source has the highest net energy ratio for space heating?Passive solar, yes, just letting in sunlight

to warm a room is the most efficient

Which energy source has the highest net energy ratio for high-temperature industrial uses?

coal

Which energy source has the highest net energy ratio for space heating?Passive solar, yes, just letting in sunlight

to warm a room is the most efficient

Which energy source has the highest net energy ratio for high-temperature industrial uses?

coal

Beep, BeepBeep, Beep

The highest net energy ratio for transportationNatural gas

Unfortunately, current NG cars have limited driving ranges and limited fueling sites.

The highest net energy ratio for transportationNatural gas

Unfortunately, current NG cars have limited driving ranges and limited fueling sites.

Mined coal

Pipeline

Pump

Oil well

Gas well

Oil storage

CoalOil and Natural Gas Geothermal Energy

Hot waterstorage

Contourstrip mining

PipelineDrillingtower

Magma

Hot rock

Natural gasOil

Impervious rock

Water Water

Oil drillingplatformon legs

Floating oil drillingplatform

Valves

Undergroundcoal mine

Water is heatedand brought upas dry steam or

wet steam

Waterpenetratesdownthroughtherock

Area stripmining

Geothermalpower plant

Coal seam

Fig. 14.11, p. 332

What is this stuff?What is this stuff?

Petroleum is a gooey liquid consisting of primarily hydrocarbons

Also called crude oil (or just oil)Oil is widely used because it is cheap,

easily transported and has a high net energy yield

Through distillation we produce many products - asphalt, heating oil, diesel, gasoline, grease, wax, natural gas

Petroleum is a gooey liquid consisting of primarily hydrocarbons

Also called crude oil (or just oil)Oil is widely used because it is cheap,

easily transported and has a high net energy yield

Through distillation we produce many products - asphalt, heating oil, diesel, gasoline, grease, wax, natural gas

Shifts in energy usage worldwide

Shifts in energy usage worldwide

During the 20th century

Coal use dropped from 55 to 22%Oil increased from 2 to 30%Natural gas rose from 1 to 23%Nuclear rose from 0 to 6%Renewable (wood and water )

dropped from 42 to 19%

During the 20th century

Coal use dropped from 55 to 22%Oil increased from 2 to 30%Natural gas rose from 1 to 23%Nuclear rose from 0 to 6%Renewable (wood and water )

dropped from 42 to 19%

Way to go USWay to go US

The U.S. is the world’s largest energy consumer

We use 25% of the world’s energy (even though we only have 4.5% of the total population)

India with 17% of the population only uses 3% of the world’s commercial energy

91% of the U.S.’s energy in nonrenewable

The U.S. is the world’s largest energy consumer

We use 25% of the world’s energy (even though we only have 4.5% of the total population)

India with 17% of the population only uses 3% of the world’s commercial energy

91% of the U.S.’s energy in nonrenewable

EnergyEnergy

Net energy refers to the amount of useful energy minus the energy needed to find, extract, process, concentrate, and transport to the users

Nuclear energy has a low net energy ratio because it is expensive to extract and process uranium, convert it into a fuel, build and operate the plant, and dismantle and deal with radioactive plants and waste

Net energy refers to the amount of useful energy minus the energy needed to find, extract, process, concentrate, and transport to the users

Nuclear energy has a low net energy ratio because it is expensive to extract and process uranium, convert it into a fuel, build and operate the plant, and dismantle and deal with radioactive plants and waste

Oil, Oil everywhere and not a drop to drink

Oil, Oil everywhere and not a drop to drink

Extracted as crude oil or petroleum, a thick liquid consisting of hydrocarbons, and some sulfur, oxygen and nitrogen impurities

Produced from decayed plant and animal material over millions of years

Extracted as crude oil or petroleum, a thick liquid consisting of hydrocarbons, and some sulfur, oxygen and nitrogen impurities

Produced from decayed plant and animal material over millions of years

Oil continuedOil continued

Normally crude oil is not found in underground pools, but is spread out in the pores and cracks within rock deep beneath the ground

Primary recovery – drill a hole and pump out the light weight crude that fills the hole

Normally crude oil is not found in underground pools, but is spread out in the pores and cracks within rock deep beneath the ground

Primary recovery – drill a hole and pump out the light weight crude that fills the hole

Oil continuedOil continued

Secondary recovery – pumping water into the well to force oil out of the pores

The oil and water mixture is separated after pumping

Only about 35% of the oil is removed by primary and secondary recovery

Secondary recovery – pumping water into the well to force oil out of the pores

The oil and water mixture is separated after pumping

Only about 35% of the oil is removed by primary and secondary recovery

Oil continuedOil continued

Tertiary recovery – either a heated gas or a liquid detergent is pumped into the well to help remove more oil

Tertiary is expensive

Tertiary recovery – either a heated gas or a liquid detergent is pumped into the well to help remove more oil

Tertiary is expensive

Oil continuedOil continued

At the refinery oil is converted into petrochemicals and used as a resource to create industrial organic chemicals, pesticides, plastics, synthetic fibers, paints, medicines and more.

OPEC – organization of petroleum exporting countries control 67% of the worlds oil and maintain control over pricing

At the refinery oil is converted into petrochemicals and used as a resource to create industrial organic chemicals, pesticides, plastics, synthetic fibers, paints, medicines and more.

OPEC – organization of petroleum exporting countries control 67% of the worlds oil and maintain control over pricing

Ticket to RideTicket to Ride

Most oil in the US is used for transportationGasolineDieselLubricant oil and greaseSome as LNG

Most oil in the US is used for transportationGasolineDieselLubricant oil and greaseSome as LNG

Diesel oil

Asphalt

Greaseand wax

Naphtha

Heating oil

Aviation fuel

Gasoline

Gases

FurnaceFig. 14.16, p. 337

Heatedcrude oil

Low land use

Easily transportedwithin and between countries

High netenergy yield

Low cost (withhuge subsidies)

Ample supply for42–93 years

Advantages

Moderate waterpollution

Releases CO2 when burned

Air pollutionwhen burned

Artificially low price encourageswaste and discourages search for alternatives

Need to findsubstitute within50 years

Disadvantages

Fig. 14.21, p. 340

Oil continuedOil continued Oil shale is a fine grained sedimentary rock containing

solid combustible organic material (waxy hydrocarbons) called kerogen

Shale oil is made from heating oil shale

Tar sand contains bitumen (a high sulfur heavy oil) another combustible organic material

Both are more expensive than crude recovery because it requires more energy, land disruption, and are more difficult to extract, produce roughly the same oil but with lower net energy yield

Oil shale is a fine grained sedimentary rock containing solid combustible organic material (waxy hydrocarbons) called kerogen

Shale oil is made from heating oil shale

Tar sand contains bitumen (a high sulfur heavy oil) another combustible organic material

Both are more expensive than crude recovery because it requires more energy, land disruption, and are more difficult to extract, produce roughly the same oil but with lower net energy yield

Oh, CanadaOh, Canada

There is a lot of shale oil and tar sands in North America, particularly in Canada.

As the price of crude oil goes up, the value of this heavy oil also goes up and becomes economically profitable to extract.

Unfortunately, almost all vegetation above the reserves must be removed to obtain these resources, so the environmental cost is very high

There is a lot of shale oil and tar sands in North America, particularly in Canada.

As the price of crude oil goes up, the value of this heavy oil also goes up and becomes economically profitable to extract.

Unfortunately, almost all vegetation above the reserves must be removed to obtain these resources, so the environmental cost is very high

Domestic OilDomestic Oil

US extraction of oil has decreased since 1985, thus increasing our reliance on other countries

Switching to alternative fuels sources helps maintain our economic independence

US extraction of oil has decreased since 1985, thus increasing our reliance on other countries

Switching to alternative fuels sources helps maintain our economic independence

Advantages Disadvantages

Moderate existingsupplies

Large potentialsupplies

High costs

Low net energyyield

Large amount ofwater needed toprocess

Severe land disruption fromsurface mining

Water pollution from mining residues

Air pollution when burned

CO2 emissionswhen burned

Fig. 14.25, p. 342

Natural GasNatural Gas

Mostly CH4 methane with some ethane, propane and butane and small amounts of hydrogen sulfide (toxic)

LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) the propane and butane are removed from natural gas and stored under pressure

Mostly CH4 methane with some ethane, propane and butane and small amounts of hydrogen sulfide (toxic)

LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) the propane and butane are removed from natural gas and stored under pressure

How long will it last?How long will it last?

Natural gas should last about 125 years worldwide

About 75 years in the US

Overall about 200-300 years with rising prices, better technology, and more discoveries

Natural gas should last about 125 years worldwide

About 75 years in the US

Overall about 200-300 years with rising prices, better technology, and more discoveries

Advantages Disadvantages

Good fuel forfuel cells andgas turbines

Low land use

Easily transportedby pipeline

Moderate environ-mental impact

Lower CO2 emissions thanother fossil fuels

Less air pollutionthan otherfossil fuels

Low cost (withhuge subsidies)

High net energyyield

Ample supplies(125 years)

Sometimes burned off andwasted at wellsbecause of lowprice

Shipped acrossocean as highlyexplosive LNG

Methane(a greenhouse gas) can leakfrom pipelines

Releases CO2

when burned

Fig. 14.26, p. 342

The future of power plantsThe future of power plants

There is currently being developed a combined cycle natural gas electric power plant with 60% efficiency

This is much better than 32-40% efficiency of others (coal, oil, nuke)

What other reasons make it better?

There is currently being developed a combined cycle natural gas electric power plant with 60% efficiency

This is much better than 32-40% efficiency of others (coal, oil, nuke)

What other reasons make it better?

CoalCoal

Solid fuel of combustible carbon, most formed 285-360 million years ago

Peat – 1st, low heat contentLignite – 2nd, low heat and low sulfurBituminous Coal – 3rd, high heat and

abundant supply, high sulfurAnthracite – 4th, high heat, low sulfur,

limited supply

Solid fuel of combustible carbon, most formed 285-360 million years ago

Peat – 1st, low heat contentLignite – 2nd, low heat and low sulfurBituminous Coal – 3rd, high heat and

abundant supply, high sulfurAnthracite – 4th, high heat, low sulfur,

limited supply

Increasing moisture content

Increasing heat and carbon content

Peat(not a coal)

Lignite(brown coal)

Bituminous Coal(soft coal)

Anthracite(hard coal)

Heat

Pressure Pressure Pressure

Heat Heat

Partially decayedplant matter in swampsand bogs; low heatcontent

Low heat content;low sulfur content;limited supplies inmost areas

Extensively usedas a fuel becauseof its high heat contentand large supplies;normally has ahigh sulfur content

Highly desirable fuelbecause of its highheat content andlow sulfur content;supplies are limitedin most areas

Fig. 14.27, p. 344

Coal for energyCoal for energy

Coal provides about 22% of the commercial energy in the world

It is used to create 62% of the worlds electricity

75% of the worlds steelChina is the largest user followed by

USUS creates 52% of energy with coal

Coal provides about 22% of the commercial energy in the world

It is used to create 62% of the worlds electricity

75% of the worlds steelChina is the largest user followed by

USUS creates 52% of energy with coal

Advantages Disadvantages

Low cost (with huge subsidies)

High net energyyield

Ample supplies(225–900 years)

Releases radioactive particles and mercury into air

High CO2 emissionswhen burned

Severe threat tohuman health

High land use (including mining)

Severe land disturbance, air pollution, andwater pollution

Very high environmentalimpact

Fig. 14.28, p. 344

The cost of coalThe cost of coal

Land disturbance Air pollution (especially sulfur dioxide) Co2 emissions Water pollution

Electricity production (coal) is the second largest producer of toxic emissions

The most deadly emission is mercury

Land disturbance Air pollution (especially sulfur dioxide) Co2 emissions Water pollution

Electricity production (coal) is the second largest producer of toxic emissions

The most deadly emission is mercury

Wonderful coalWonderful coal

60,000 babies annually are born with brain damage due to mercury exposure, typically from pregnant mothers eating mercury in fish

Coal also releases more radioactive particles into the atmosphere than nuclear power plants

Also, acid rain and methane release

60,000 babies annually are born with brain damage due to mercury exposure, typically from pregnant mothers eating mercury in fish

Coal also releases more radioactive particles into the atmosphere than nuclear power plants

Also, acid rain and methane release

Coal in the USCoal in the US

Air pollutants kill thousands (estimates are from 60,000 – 200,000)

Cause at least 50,000 cases of respiratory disease

Cost several billion dollars in property damage

Air pollutants kill thousands (estimates are from 60,000 – 200,000)

Cause at least 50,000 cases of respiratory disease

Cost several billion dollars in property damage

The good newsThe good news

Fluidized bed combustion is reducing the amount of pollution

Hot air is blown under a mix of crushed limestone and coal while it is burnt

This removes most sulfur dioxide, reduces Nox and burns the coal more efficiently and cheaply

Fluidized bed combustion is reducing the amount of pollution

Hot air is blown under a mix of crushed limestone and coal while it is burnt

This removes most sulfur dioxide, reduces Nox and burns the coal more efficiently and cheaply

Calcium sulfateand ash

Air

Air nozzles

Water

Fluidized bed

Steam

Flue gases

Coal Limestone

Fig. 14.29, p. 345

Coal gasificationCoal gasification

Solid coal can be converted into synthetic natural gas (SNG)

It can also be made into synfuels (liquids) through coal liquefaction

Neither is expected to play a major role in our future energy needs

Solid coal can be converted into synthetic natural gas (SNG)

It can also be made into synfuels (liquids) through coal liquefaction

Neither is expected to play a major role in our future energy needs

Raw coal

Pulverizer

Air oroxygen

Steam

Pulverized coalSlag removal

Recycle unreactedcarbon (char)

Raw gases CleanMethane gas

Recoversulfur

Methane(natural gas)

2CCoal

+ O2 2CO

CO + 3H2 CH4 + H2O

Remove dust,tar, water, sulfur

Fig. 14.30, p. 345

Advantages Disadvantages

Large potentialsupply

Vehicle fuel

Low to moderatenet energy yield

Higher cost thancoal

High environmentalimpact

Increased surfacemining of coal

High water use

Higher CO2 emissions than coal

Fig. 14.31, p. 346

Nuclear EnergyNuclear Energy

Uranium 235 and plutonium 239 are split (nucleus) to release energy

The reaction rate is controlledThe energy heats water and turns it

to steamSteam spins turbines connected to

generators which create electricity

Uranium 235 and plutonium 239 are split (nucleus) to release energy

The reaction rate is controlledThe energy heats water and turns it

to steamSteam spins turbines connected to

generators which create electricity

LWR light water reactorsLWR light water reactors

All US reactors are of this type, so know it

All US reactors are of this type, so know it

Periodic removal

and storage ofradioactive wastes

and spent fuel assemblies

Periodic removaland storage of

radioactive liquid wastes

Pump

Steam

Small amounts of Radioactive gases

Water

Black

Turbine Generator

Waste heat Electrical power

Hot water output

Condenser

Cool water input

Pump

Pump Wasteheat

Useful energy25 to 30%

WasteheatWater source

(river, lake, ocean)

Heatexchanger

Containment shell

Uranium fuel input(reactor core)

Emergency coreCooling system

Controlrods

Moderator

Pressurevessel

Shielding

Coolantpassage

Fig. 14.32, p. 346

CoolantCoolant

Hot coolantHot coolant

Nuclear is out of favor (unless you ask Bush)Nuclear is out of favor (unless you ask Bush)

The US has not ordered a new nuclear facility since 1978, and 120 ordered since 1973 were cancelled

Most countries are phasing out nuclear plants or are not continuing to expand their programs, except China who is trying to move away from dependence on coal

The US has not ordered a new nuclear facility since 1978, and 120 ordered since 1973 were cancelled

Most countries are phasing out nuclear plants or are not continuing to expand their programs, except China who is trying to move away from dependence on coal

Why is nuclear not meeting expectations?

Why is nuclear not meeting expectations?

Multi-billion dollar cost of construction Strict govt. safety regulations High operating costs More malfunctions than expected Poor management Public concern after Chernobyl, and Three Mile

Island Investor concern about economic feasibility

Multi-billion dollar cost of construction Strict govt. safety regulations High operating costs More malfunctions than expected Poor management Public concern after Chernobyl, and Three Mile

Island Investor concern about economic feasibility

Low risk of accidents because of multiplesafety systems(except in 35 poorly designed and run reactors in former SovietUnion and Eastern Europe)

Moderate land use

Moderate landdisruption andwater pollution(without accidents)

Emits 1/6 asmuch CO2 as coal

Lowenvironmentalimpact (withoutaccidents)

Large fuelsupply

Spreads knowledge and technology for building nuclear weapons

No acceptable solution for long-term storage of radioactive wastes and decommissioning worn-out plants

Catastrophic accidents can happen (Chernobyl)

High environmental impact (with major accidents)

Low net energy yield

High cost (even with large subsidies)

Advantages Disadvantages

Fig. 14.35, p. 349

Coal

Ample supply

High net energyyield

Very high airpollution

High CO2emissions

65,000 to 200,000deaths per yearin U.S.

High land disruption fromsurface mining

High land use

Low cost (with huge subsidies)

Nuclear

Ample supplyof uranium

Low net energyyield

Low air pollution(mostly from fuelreprocessing)

Low CO2emissions(mostly from fuelreprocessing)

About 6,000deaths per year in U.S.

Much lower landdisruption fromsurface mining

Moderate land use

High cost (with huge subsidies)

Fig. 14.36, p. 349

ChernobylChernobyl

In the former Soviet Union, April 26, 1986 the reactor core went out of control and exploded sending a cloud of radioactive dust into the atmosphere

3,576 – 32,000 people died 400,000 forced to evacuate 62,000 square miles still contaminated More than 500,000 people exposed to high

level radiation Cost the govt. $385 billion

In the former Soviet Union, April 26, 1986 the reactor core went out of control and exploded sending a cloud of radioactive dust into the atmosphere

3,576 – 32,000 people died 400,000 forced to evacuate 62,000 square miles still contaminated More than 500,000 people exposed to high

level radiation Cost the govt. $385 billion

Three Mile IslandThree Mile Island

March 29, 1979 in Harrisburg, Penn.Coolant failed and core meltedRadioactive material escaped into air50,000 people evacuatedLuckily the radiation release was

believed to be too low to cause death or cancer

Cleanup has cost $1.2 billion so far

March 29, 1979 in Harrisburg, Penn.Coolant failed and core meltedRadioactive material escaped into air50,000 people evacuatedLuckily the radiation release was

believed to be too low to cause death or cancer

Cleanup has cost $1.2 billion so far

What do we do with the waste?

What do we do with the waste?

Low level radioactive waste must be stored for 100-500 years until it reaches a safe level (does not give off harmful ionizing radiation)

This was done by sealing the waste in steel drums and dumping it in the ocean

Today some countries (US) stores the waste at govt. run landfills, but no one wants to live anywhere near them

Low level radioactive waste must be stored for 100-500 years until it reaches a safe level (does not give off harmful ionizing radiation)

This was done by sealing the waste in steel drums and dumping it in the ocean

Today some countries (US) stores the waste at govt. run landfills, but no one wants to live anywhere near them

Waste container

Steel wall

Steel wall

Severalsteel drumsholding waste

Lead shielding

2 meters wide2–5 meters high

Fig. 14.38a, p. 351

Clay bottom

Up to 60deep trenchesdug into clay.

As many as 20flatbed trucksdeliver wastecontainers daily.

Barrels are stackedand surroundedwith sand. Coveringis mounded to aidrain runoff.

Fig. 14.38b, p. 351

And the bad stuff?And the bad stuff?

High level radioactive waste must be stored for 10,000 to 240,000 years until it reaches a safe level

Currently most is stored at the reactor site, sealed in drums, in pools of water

High level radioactive waste must be stored for 10,000 to 240,000 years until it reaches a safe level

Currently most is stored at the reactor site, sealed in drums, in pools of water

Proposed methods of disposal

Proposed methods of disposal

Bury deep underground – this is the leading strategy currently

Shoot it into space/Sun Bury it deep in the Antarctic ice sheet Dump it into descending subduction zones Bury in deep mud deposits on ocean floor Convert into less harmful isotopes (currently

we do not have the technology)

Bury deep underground – this is the leading strategy currently

Shoot it into space/Sun Bury it deep in the Antarctic ice sheet Dump it into descending subduction zones Bury in deep mud deposits on ocean floor Convert into less harmful isotopes (currently

we do not have the technology)

Fig.

14.39a, p. 352

Slide 52

Personnel elevator

Air shaft

Nuclear waste shaft

2,500 ft.(760 m)deep

Fig. 14.39b, p. 352

Slide 53

Storage Containers

Fuel rod

Primary canister

Overpack container sealed

Fig. 14.39c, p. 352

Radioactive contaminationRadioactive contamination

The EPA suggests that there are 45,000 sites in the US (20,000 belong to the DOE)

It is expected to cost over $230 billion over the next 75 years

More than 144 highly contaminated weapons construction sites will never be completely cleaned

The EPA suggests that there are 45,000 sites in the US (20,000 belong to the DOE)

It is expected to cost over $230 billion over the next 75 years

More than 144 highly contaminated weapons construction sites will never be completely cleaned