APES1. Turn in Pro/Con List

Synfuels

= Synthetic fuelsProduced from coal, natural gas, or biomass feedstock through chemical conversion

Synfuels

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

1. Extra Heavy oil2. Oil Sands3. Oil Shale

Extra Heavy Oil

Cannot easily flow to production wells under normal reservoir conditions

– Higher viscosity– Higher specific gravity– Heavier molecular composition

Extra Heavy Oil

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

• Less viscous than bitumen at reservoir temp. & pressure.

• Some degree mobility

Heavy Oil from Tar Sand

Tar Sand or Oil Sand – mixture of clay, sand, water, and bitumen (oil)

Bitumen = thick, sticky, tarlike heavy oil with high sulfur content

Heavy Oil from Tar Sand

Can be surface mined, but must be heated to separateMust be refined before use (like oil)

Heavy Oil from Tar Sand

HIGH impact on land, air, water, wildlife, & climate

Strip Mining for Tar Sands in Alberta*

Fig. 15-8, p. 378

Heavy Oil from Tar Sand

Energy input (burning natural gas) net energy

Least efficient, dirtiest, and HIGH environmental impact

Heavy Oil from Shale

• Rocks containing kerogen (insoluble bitumen)

• Kerogen – mixture of hydrocarbons converts to crude oil when exposed to extreme heat & pressure.

Oil Shale Rock and the Shale Oil Extracted from It

Fig. 15-9, p. 379

Oil from Shale

• Sedimentary rocks are crushed & heated

• Kerogen extracted & refined

• VERY $$$$$$• Abundant

Heavy Oil from Shale

net energy, environmental impact water use (5 barrels H20/1 barrel oil) CO2 than oil (27 – 52%)

Trade-Offs: Heavy Oils from Oil Shale and Oil Sand

Fig. 15-10, p. 379

OTHER

• Gas Hydrates aka Methane Hydrates– Ice encrusted natural gas found

deep underground in permafrost or beneath ocean floor at depths reater than 1,640 feet

– VERY $$$$$

OTHER

• Coal Liquefaction– Liquid made from coal but is less

polluting (sulfur)– VERY $$$$$$

Other

• Coal Gasification (Synthetic Natural Gas – SNG)– Production of methane from coal– Burns similar to natural gas– Scrubbers not needed, but 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 and degradation associated with mining and extraction

US Energy Strategy

ENERGY is needed to maintain our lifestyles

US is world’s largest energy user – we use more energy than China, Russia, Japan, and Germany COMBINED! YIKES!

US = China + Russia + Japan + Germany

US Energy Strategy

US Energy Strategy

1. Limited fossil fuel supply2. Pollution from burning of fossil

fuels is increasing3. Foreign dependence on oil

makes us vulnerable

WHAT SHOULD WE DO!?

WHAT SHOULD WE DO?!

Obvious Answer: Shift to alternative sources.

Is that easy?

WHAT SHOULD WE DO?!

Decisions/Actions have to be taken by government to: 1. Promote alternatives ensuring

subsidies/tax breaks.2. Remove traditional

subsidies/tax breaks for fossil fuels

Bush Administration Actions

1. Denied US participation in Kyoto Protocol to reduce CO2 emissions based on unequal financial burden on developed countries

2. Proposed $2 billion government subsidy program for “cleaner coal” technology

3. Supported Clean Air Act exceptions for older pollutinc coal burning power plants already existing/producing

Obama Administration Actions...

Much of the same