chapter 16

Chapter 16Chapter 16

Nonrenewable EnergyNonrenewable Energy

Core Case Study: Core Case Study: How Long Will the Oil Party Last? How Long Will the Oil Party Last?

Saudi Arabia could supply the world with oil Saudi Arabia could supply the world with oil for about 10 years.for about 10 years.

The Alaska’s North Slope could meet the The Alaska’s North Slope could meet the world oil demand for 6 months (U.S.: 3 world oil demand for 6 months (U.S.: 3 years).years).

Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge would meet the world demand for 1-5 would meet the world demand for 1-5 months (U.S.: 7-25 months).months (U.S.: 7-25 months).

Core Case Study: Core Case Study: How Long Will the Oil Party Last?How Long Will the Oil Party Last?

peak oil peak oil

We have three We have three options:options: Look for more oil.Look for more oil. Use or waste less oil.Use or waste less oil. Use something else.Use something else.

Figure 16-1Figure 16-1

TYPES OF ENERGY RESOURCESTYPES OF ENERGY RESOURCES

Nonrenewable energy resources and Nonrenewable energy resources and geothermal energy in the earth’s crust.geothermal energy in the earth’s crust.


TYPES OF ENERGY RESOURCESTYPES OF ENERGY RESOURCES

Commercial energy use by source for the Commercial energy use by source for the world (left) and the U.S. (right).world (left) and the U.S. (right).


OILOIL

Crude oil (petroleum) is a thick liquid Crude oil (petroleum) is a thick liquid containing hydrocarbons that we extract from containing hydrocarbons that we extract from underground deposits and separate into underground deposits and separate into products such as gasoline, heating oil and products such as gasoline, heating oil and asphalt.asphalt. Only 35-50% can be economically recovered Only 35-50% can be economically recovered

from a deposit.from a deposit. As prices rise, about 10-25% more can be As prices rise, about 10-25% more can be

recovered from expensive secondary extraction recovered from expensive secondary extraction techniques.techniques.• This lowers the net energy yield.This lowers the net energy yield.

OILOIL Refining crude oil:Refining crude oil:

Based on boiling Based on boiling points, components points, components are removed at are removed at various layers in a various layers in a giant distillation giant distillation column.column.

The most volatile The most volatile components with components with the lowest boiling the lowest boiling points are removed points are removed at the top.at the top.


OILOIL

Eleven OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Eleven OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) have 78% of the world’s Exporting Countries) have 78% of the world’s proven oil reserves and most of the world’s proven oil reserves and most of the world’s unproven reserves.OPEC countriesunproven reserves.OPEC countries

After global production peaks and begins a After global production peaks and begins a slow decline, oil prices will rise and could slow decline, oil prices will rise and could threaten the economies of countries that threaten the economies of countries that have not shifted to new energy alternatives.have not shifted to new energy alternatives.

OILOIL

Inflation-adjusted price of oil, 1950-2006.Inflation-adjusted price of oil, 1950-2006.Figure 16-6Figure 16-6

Case Study: U.S. Oil SuppliesCase Study: U.S. Oil Supplies

The U.S. – the world’s largest oil user – has The U.S. – the world’s largest oil user – has only 2.9% of the world’s proven oil reserves.only 2.9% of the world’s proven oil reserves.

U.S oil production peaked in 1974 (halfway U.S oil production peaked in 1974 (halfway production point).production point).

About 60% of U.S oil imports goes through About 60% of U.S oil imports goes through refineries in hurricane-prone regions of the refineries in hurricane-prone regions of the Gulf Coast.Gulf Coast.

OILOIL

Burning oil for Burning oil for transportation transportation accounts for 43% accounts for 43% of global COof global CO22

emissions.emissions.


COCO22 Emissions Emissions

COCO22 emissions per unit of energy produced emissions per unit of energy produced

for various energy resources. for various energy resources. Figure 16-8Figure 16-8

Heavy Oils from Oil Sand and Oil Heavy Oils from Oil Sand and Oil Shale: Will Sticky Black Gold Save Us?Shale: Will Sticky Black Gold Save Us? Heavy and tarlike oils from oil sand and oil Heavy and tarlike oils from oil sand and oil

shale could supplement conventional oil, but shale could supplement conventional oil, but there are environmental problems.there are environmental problems. High sulfur content.High sulfur content. Extracting and processing produces:Extracting and processing produces:

• Toxic sludgeToxic sludge• Uses and contaminates larges volumes of waterUses and contaminates larges volumes of water• Requires large inputs of natural gas which reduces net Requires large inputs of natural gas which reduces net

energy yield.energy yield.• Keystone Pipeline benefitsKeystone Pipeline benefits• PBS oil pipeline spillPBS oil pipeline spill

Oil ShalesOil Shales

Oil shales contain Oil shales contain a solid a solid combustible combustible mixture of mixture of hydrocarbons hydrocarbons called called kerogenkerogen..


Heavy OilsHeavy Oils

It takes about 1.8 It takes about 1.8 metric tons of oil metric tons of oil sand to produce sand to produce one barrel of oil.one barrel of oil.


NATURAL GASNATURAL GAS

Natural gas, consisting mostly of methane, is Natural gas, consisting mostly of methane, is often found above reservoirs of crude oil.often found above reservoirs of crude oil. When a natural gas-field is tapped, gasses are When a natural gas-field is tapped, gasses are

liquefied and removed as liquefied petroleum gas liquefied and removed as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).(LPG).

Coal beds and bubbles of methane trapped Coal beds and bubbles of methane trapped in ice crystals deep under the arctic in ice crystals deep under the arctic permafrost and beneath deep-ocean permafrost and beneath deep-ocean sediments are unconventional sources of sediments are unconventional sources of natural gas.natural gas.

NATURAL GASNATURAL GAS Russia and Iran have almost half of the Russia and Iran have almost half of the

world’s reserves of conventional gas, and world’s reserves of conventional gas, and global reserves should last 62-125 years.global reserves should last 62-125 years.

Natural gas is versatile and clean-burning Natural gas is versatile and clean-burning fuel, but it releases the greenhouse gases fuel, but it releases the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide (when burned) and methane carbon dioxide (when burned) and methane (from leaks) into the troposphere.(from leaks) into the troposphere.

Potential reserves: World=62-125 years; Potential reserves: World=62-125 years; US=55-80 yearsUS=55-80 years

FrackingFracking

Fracking AssignmentFracking Assignment

Read Fracking Article---write a summary, advantages/disadvantages and Read Fracking Article---write a summary, advantages/disadvantages and include the following responses to these questions:include the following responses to these questions:

Identify and describe TWO water-related environmental problems Identify and describe TWO water-related environmental problems associated with frackingassociated with fracking

Natural gas is considered to be a better fossil fuel for the Natural gas is considered to be a better fossil fuel for the environment than coal is. Discuss TWO environmental benefits of environment than coal is. Discuss TWO environmental benefits of using natural gas as a fuel compared to using coal.using natural gas as a fuel compared to using coal.

Describe TWO environmental drawbacks, not related to water use, of Describe TWO environmental drawbacks, not related to water use, of using the fracking process to extract natural gas from shaleusing the fracking process to extract natural gas from shale

Describe one economic benefit to society of using fracking to obtain Describe one economic benefit to society of using fracking to obtain natural gas from shalenatural gas from shale

Nuclear power is an alternative to using natural gas or coal as a fuel Nuclear power is an alternative to using natural gas or coal as a fuel for generating electricity. However, there are also problems for generating electricity. However, there are also problems associated with nuclear power plants. Describe TWO negative associated with nuclear power plants. Describe TWO negative environmental impacts associated with nuclear power.environmental impacts associated with nuclear power.

NATURAL GASNATURAL GAS

Some analysts see Some analysts see natural gas as the natural gas as the best fuel to help us best fuel to help us make the transition to make the transition to improved energy improved energy efficiency and greater efficiency and greater use of renewable use of renewable energy.energy.


COALCOAL

Coal is a solid fossil fuel that is formed in Coal is a solid fossil fuel that is formed in several stages as the buried remains of land several stages as the buried remains of land plants that lived 300-400 million years ago.plants that lived 300-400 million years ago.


Fig. 16-13, p. 369

Waste heat

Coal bunker TurbineCooling tower

transfers waste heat to

atmosphere

Generator

Cooling loop

Stack

Pulverizing mill

Condenser Filter

Boiler

Toxic ash disposal

COALCOAL

Coal reserves in the United States, Russia, Coal reserves in the United States, Russia, and China could last hundreds to over a and China could last hundreds to over a thousand years.thousand years. The U.S. has 27% of the world’s proven coal The U.S. has 27% of the world’s proven coal

reserves, followed by Russia (17%), and China reserves, followed by Russia (17%), and China (13%).(13%).

In 2005, China and the U.S. accounted for 53% In 2005, China and the U.S. accounted for 53% of the global coal consumption.of the global coal consumption.

COALCOAL

Coal is the most Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel, abundant fossil fuel, but compared to oil but compared to oil and natural gas it is and natural gas it is not as versatile, has not as versatile, has a high environmental a high environmental impact, and releases impact, and releases much more COmuch more CO22 into into

the troposphere.the troposphere.


COALCOAL

Coal can be converted into synthetic natural Coal can be converted into synthetic natural gas (SNG or syngas) and liquid fuels (such gas (SNG or syngas) and liquid fuels (such as methanol or synthetic gasoline) that burn as methanol or synthetic gasoline) that burn cleaner than coal.cleaner than coal. Costs are high.Costs are high. Burning them adds more COBurning them adds more CO22 to the troposphere to the troposphere

than burning coal.than burning coal.

NUCLEAR ENERGYNUCLEAR ENERGY

When isotopes of uranium and plutonium When isotopes of uranium and plutonium undergo controlled nuclear fission, the undergo controlled nuclear fission, the resulting heat produces steam that spins resulting heat produces steam that spins turbines to generate electricity.turbines to generate electricity. The uranium oxide consists of about 97% The uranium oxide consists of about 97%

nonfissionable uranium-238 and 3% fissionable nonfissionable uranium-238 and 3% fissionable uranium-235.uranium-235.

The concentration of uranium-235 is increased The concentration of uranium-235 is increased through an enrichment process.through an enrichment process.

Fig. 16-16, p. 372

Small amounts of radioactive gases

Uranium fuel input (reactor core)

Control rodsContainment shell

Heat exchanger

Steam Turbine Generator

Waste heat

Electric power

Hot coolant

Useful energy 25%–30%Hot

water outputPumpPump

Coolant Pump Pump

Moderator

Cool water input

Waste heat

Shielding Pressure vessel

Coolant passage

Water CondenserPeriodic removal and storage of radioactive wastes and spent fuel assemblies

Periodic removal and storage of radioactive liquid wastes

Water source (river, lake, ocean)


After three or four After three or four years in a reactor, years in a reactor, spent fuel rods are spent fuel rods are removed and stored removed and stored in a deep pool of in a deep pool of water contained in a water contained in a steel-lined concrete steel-lined concrete container.container.



After spent fuel rods are cooled considerably, After spent fuel rods are cooled considerably, they are sometimes moved to dry-storage they are sometimes moved to dry-storage containers made of steel or concrete.containers made of steel or concrete.


Fig. 16-18, p. 373

Decommissioning of reactorFuel assemblies

ReactorEnrichment of UF6 Fuel fabricationFuel fabrication

(conversion of enriched UF(conversion of enriched UF66

to UOto UO22 and fabrication of and fabrication of

fuel assemblies)fuel assemblies) Temporary storage of Temporary storage of spent fuel assemblies spent fuel assemblies underwater or in dry underwater or in dry caskscasks

Conversion of U3O8 to UF6

Uranium-235 as UFUranium-235 as UF66

Plutonium-239 as PuOPlutonium-239 as PuO22

Spent fuel Spent fuel reprocessingreprocessing

Low-level radiation Low-level radiation with long half-lifewith long half-life

Geologic disposal of moderate &

high-level radioactive

wastesOpen fuel cycle today

“Closed” end fuel cycle

What Happened to Nuclear Power?What Happened to Nuclear Power?

After more than 50 years of development and After more than 50 years of development and enormous government subsidies, nuclear enormous government subsidies, nuclear power has not lived up to its promise power has not lived up to its promise because:because: Multi billion-dollar construction costs.Multi billion-dollar construction costs. Higher operation costs and more malfunctions Higher operation costs and more malfunctions

than expected.than expected. Poor management.Poor management. Public concerns about safety and stricter Public concerns about safety and stricter

government safety regulations.government safety regulations.

Case Study: The Chernobyl Nuclear Case Study: The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant AccidentPower Plant Accident

The world’s worst nuclear power plant The world’s worst nuclear power plant accident occurred in 1986 in Ukraine.accident occurred in 1986 in Ukraine.

The disaster was caused by poor reactor The disaster was caused by poor reactor design and human error.design and human error.

By 2005, 56 people had died from radiation By 2005, 56 people had died from radiation released.released. 4,000 more are expected from thyroid cancer and 4,000 more are expected from thyroid cancer and

leukemia.leukemia.

NUCLEAR NUCLEAR ENERGYENERGY

In 1995, the World In 1995, the World Bank said nuclear Bank said nuclear power is too costly power is too costly and risky.and risky.

In 2006, it was found In 2006, it was found that several U.S. that several U.S. reactors were leaking reactors were leaking radioactive tritium into radioactive tritium into groundwater.groundwater.


NUCLEAR NUCLEAR ENERGYENERGY

A 1,000 megawatt A 1,000 megawatt nuclear plant is nuclear plant is refueled once a refueled once a year, whereas a year, whereas a coal plant coal plant requires 80 rail requires 80 rail cars a day.cars a day.



Terrorists could attack nuclear power plants, Terrorists could attack nuclear power plants, especially poorly protected pools and casks especially poorly protected pools and casks that store spent nuclear fuel rods.that store spent nuclear fuel rods.

Terrorists could wrap explosives around small Terrorists could wrap explosives around small amounts of radioactive materials that are amounts of radioactive materials that are fairly easy to get, detonate such bombs, and fairly easy to get, detonate such bombs, and contaminate large areas for decades.contaminate large areas for decades.


When a nuclear reactor reaches the end of When a nuclear reactor reaches the end of its useful life, its highly radioactive materials its useful life, its highly radioactive materials must be kept from reaching the environment must be kept from reaching the environment for thousands of years.for thousands of years.

At least 228 large commercial reactors At least 228 large commercial reactors worldwide (20 in the U.S.) are scheduled for worldwide (20 in the U.S.) are scheduled for retirement by 2012.retirement by 2012. Many reactors are applying to extent their 40-Many reactors are applying to extent their 40-

year license to 60 years.year license to 60 years. Aging reactors are subject to embrittlement and Aging reactors are subject to embrittlement and

corrosion.corrosion.


Building more nuclear power plants will not Building more nuclear power plants will not lessen dependence on imported oil and will lessen dependence on imported oil and will not reduce COnot reduce CO22 emissions as much as other emissions as much as other

alternatives.alternatives. The nuclear fuel cycle contributes to COThe nuclear fuel cycle contributes to CO22

emissions.emissions. Wind turbines, solar cells, geothermal energy, Wind turbines, solar cells, geothermal energy,

and hydrogen contributes much less to COand hydrogen contributes much less to CO22

emissions.emissions.

NUCLEAR ENERGYNUCLEAR ENERGY Scientists disagree about the best methods Scientists disagree about the best methods

for long-term storage of high-level radioactive for long-term storage of high-level radioactive waste:waste: Bury it deep underground.Bury it deep underground. Shoot it into space.Shoot it into space. Bury it in the Antarctic ice sheet.Bury it in the Antarctic ice sheet. Bury it in the deep-ocean floor that is geologically Bury it in the deep-ocean floor that is geologically

stable.stable. Change it into harmless or less harmful isotopes.Change it into harmless or less harmful isotopes.

New and Safer ReactorsNew and Safer Reactors

Pebble bed Pebble bed modular reactor modular reactor (PBMR) are (PBMR) are smaller reactors smaller reactors that minimize the that minimize the chances of chances of runaway chain runaway chain reactions.reactions.


New and Safer ReactorsNew and Safer Reactors

Some oppose the pebble reactor due to :Some oppose the pebble reactor due to : A crack in the reactor could release radioactivity.A crack in the reactor could release radioactivity. The design has been rejected by UK and The design has been rejected by UK and

Germany for safety reasons.Germany for safety reasons. Lack of containment shell would make it easier Lack of containment shell would make it easier

for terrorists to blow it up or steal radioactive for terrorists to blow it up or steal radioactive material.material.

Creates higher amount of nuclear waste and Creates higher amount of nuclear waste and increases waste storage expenses.increases waste storage expenses.


Nuclear fusion is a nuclear change in which Nuclear fusion is a nuclear change in which two isotopes are forced together.two isotopes are forced together. No risk of meltdown or radioactive releases.No risk of meltdown or radioactive releases. May also be used to breakdown toxic material.May also be used to breakdown toxic material. Still in laboratory stages.Still in laboratory stages.

There is a disagreement over whether to There is a disagreement over whether to phase out nuclear power or keep this option phase out nuclear power or keep this option open in case other alternatives do not pan open in case other alternatives do not pan out.out.

chapter 16

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