Transcript Document

Module 03
Energy Impacts
Ecological impacts of energy generation from
non-renewable energy sources in global & local scale
and probable mitigation measures
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
Global scale:
greenhouse gas emissions, global warming, and climate
change
Local scale:
acid rain, particulate pollution, thermal pollution and related
impact, fresh-water exploitation, and altering land use
Non-renewable Energy Source: Fossil Fuels
- formed during Carboniferous Period (from about 360 to 286
million years ago).
- the land was then covered with swamps filled with vegetations
and the water and seas were filled with algae.
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
http://www.thecosmosphere.com/green-sea-in-china/
Non-renewable Energy Source: Coal
- carbonaceous matter was first compressed into
peat (a spongy material with 90% water)
- peat, when got deeply buried, turned into coal
owing to being subjected to increased pressure
and temperature
- coal is made up of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen,
nitrogen and varying amounts of sulphur.
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
Non-renewable Energy Source: Coal
The three main types of coal:
Lignite
Bituminous
Anthracite
30% carbon
45-78% carbon
80-86% carbon
softest
hardest
lowest energy
output
relatively low
amounts of smogcausing sulfur
greatest energy
output
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
highest sulfur
content and sulfur
dioxide is released
into the
atmosphere.
Smog = smoke + fog
Non-renewable Energy Source: Coal
Smog: Sulfuric
- Sulfur smog started occurring in the 1800’s (Industrial
Revolution). That was when coal was used for heating and
smelting iron.
- In the Black Fog of London, 1852, thousands died of smog
inhalation.
- The two ingredients in this smog, sulfur dioxide and water
vapor, don’t become extremely harmful until they chemically
react and then bond together. This combination is sulfuric acid.
- Smog of this sort is like acid rain, it eats away and vegetation
and can erode specific buildings and statues.
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
By installing scrubbers and electrostatic
precipitators in the smokestacks of power plants,
sulfur emissions lower have been lowered
(though not eliminated totally).
http://airawareness.webs.com/smog.htm
Non-renewable Energy Source: Coal
EKC for sulfur dioxide was discussed
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
Non-renewable Energy Source: Coal
Smog: Photochemical
Photochemical smog refers to ground-level ozone (O3).
Ozone is formed when nitrogen oxides (primarily from vehicle
exhaust) and volatile organic compounds (from paints,
solvents, and fuel evaporation) interact in the presence of
sunlight.
Ozone in the stratosphere protects earth from harmful UV
radiation, ozone on the ground is hazardous to human health.
The catalytic converters break down
the vehicular pollutants when they are
released through them. Nitrogen oxides
are split into pure oxygen and nitrogen.
Water vapors and carbon dioxide are
released instead of carbon particles.
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
Non-renewable Energy Source: Coal
- Sulfur contained in coal forms sulfur dioxide when burned.
- Harmful nitrogen oxides is also released into the air during
coal burning.
- Heavy metals (such as lead, mercury, nickel, tin, cadmium,
antimony and arsenic) are released into the environment
during mining and burning of coal.
- Radio isotopes of uranium and thorium are also released.
- The toxic fly ash remaining after coal burning is also an
environmental concern and is usually disposed into landfills.
- Coal sludge is the liquid generated by washing coal. It is
disposed of at impoundments or directly injected back into
abandoned underground mines.
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
Non-renewable Energy Source: Coal
Global CO2 emissions from the burning of fossil fuels & the
manufacture of cement (in 109 kg CO2):
12000
10000
8000
6000
from solid fuel burning
from liquid fuel burning
from gas fuel burning
from cement production
from gas flaring
4000
2000
0
1750
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
1800
1850
1900
Year
1950
2000
Source: http://cdiac.ornl.gov/trends/emis/glo.html
Non-renewable Energy Source: Coal
29.6% of global primary energy needs in 2010.
Global Coal Production
(Million Tonnes)
42% of global electricity needs is provided by coal.
8000
7273
6000
4000
4718
4693
1990
2000
year
2000
0
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
2010
BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2011
Non-renewable Energy Source: Coal
Reserves-to-Production
(R/P) ratios:
World proved coal
reserves in 2010 were
sufficient to meet 118
years of global production,
which is well below the
2000 value of 210 years.
World R/P ratio
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2011
Non-renewable Energy Source: Coal
Peak Coal
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
Source: TW Patzek and GD Croft
A global coal production forecast with multi-Hubbert cycle analysis
Energy, Vol 35, Issue 8, August 2010, Pages 3109-3122
Non-renewable Energy Source: Coal
Coal is most cheaply mined from near-surface deposits using
strip mining techniques.
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
Strip mining for coal
(1)
Blast hole
drilled,
explosives
planted
Coal deposits
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Cross-section
of typical
mountain and
valley in
Kentucky
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
Source: www.wesjones.com/death.htm
Strip mining for coal
(2)
Blast hole
fractures
overburden
Overburden:
Foliage, top
soil, rocks
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Cross-section
of typical
mountain and
valley in
Kentucky
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
(5)
Bench cuts
made by
blasting
Source: www.wesjones.com/death.htm
Strip mining for coal
(3)
Overburden
Removed
by dragline
excavator
Overburden:
Foliage, top
soil, rocks
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Cross-section
of typical
mountain and
valley in
Kentucky
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
(5)
Bench cuts
made by
blasting
Source: www.wesjones.com/death.htm
Strip mining for coal
Dragline
excavator
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
Source: http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/razingappalachia/mtop.html
Strip mining for coal
(4)
Overburden
Dumped
into valley
Overburden:
Foliage, top
soil, rocks
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Cross-section
of typical
mountain and
valley in
Kentucky
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
(5)
Bench cuts
made by
blasting
Source: www.wesjones.com/death.htm
Strip mining for coal
(5)
Coal
removed
Overburden:
Foliage, top
soil, rocks
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Cross-section
of typical
mountain and
valley in
Kentucky
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
(5)
Bench cuts
made by
blasting
Source: www.wesjones.com/death.htm
Strip mining for coal
Let us discuss the
sustainability issues in
strip mining for coal
Cross-section
after
mountaintop
has been
removed
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
Valley filled
with spoil
Nine men – that is all it
takes to bring this
mountain low
Source: www.wesjones.com/death.htm
Mountaintop removal coal mines have changed the shape, altitude, and
ecology of large areas of the Appalachian coalfields. This photograph shows
part of the Kayford Mountain Mine in West Virginia on October 22, 2006.
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/MountaintopRemoval/
Mountaintop removal coal mines have changed the shape, altitude, and
ecology of large areas of the Appalachian coalfields. This photograph shows
part of the Kayford Mountain Mine in West Virginia on October 22, 2006.
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/MountaintopRemoval/
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
Non-renewable Energy Source: Coal
- Downstream of mountaintop removal and valley fill sites, water
quality and stream life are often degraded.
- Water, streambed sediments, and fish tissue often harbor
concentrations of potentially toxic trace elements, including nickel,
lead, cadmium, iron, and selenium, that exceed government
standards.
- The diversity of fish and other aquatic life declines. Hundreds of
thousands of acres of some of the world’s most biologically diverse
forests outside of the tropics have been lost or degraded, and, to
date, efforts to restore them have had limited success.
- Valley fills have worsened flash flooding during heavy rain events.
Blasting has cracked house foundations.
- Floods from the collapse of valley fills and coal sludge
impoundments, though rare, have devastated some watersheds and
communities.
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/MountaintopRemoval
In 2000, 60 out of the 170
million tons of coal mined in
West Virginia were from
strip mines.
300,000 acres of hardwood forest in West Virginia have been
destroyed by mountaintop removal practiced in strip mining.
75% of West Virginia's streams and rivers
are polluted by mining and other industries.
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
Over 1000 miles of streams have
been buried by strip mine waste in
Appalachian Mountains that run
through 13 states.
Source: http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/razingappalachia/mtop.html
Non-renewable Energy Source: Coal
- Sub-surface mining of coal is less damaging to the surface
environment, but is much more hazardous for the miners
due to tunnel collapses and gas explosions.
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
Non-renewable Energy Source: Crude Oil
- Crude oil (liquid petroleum) forms underground in rock
such as shale, which is rich in organic materials.
- After the oil forms, it migrates upward into porous reservoir
rock such as sandstone or limestone, where it can become
trapped by an overlying impermeable cap rock.
- Wells are drilled into these oil reservoirs to remove the gas
and oil.
- Over 70 percent of oil fields are found near tectonic plate
boundaries.
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
Non-renewable Energy Source: Crude Oil
- Primary stage of oil recovery involves pumping oil from
reservoirs under the normal reservoir pressure. About 25%
of the oil in a reservoir can be removed during this stage.
- Secondary oil recovery stage involves injecting hot water
into the reservoir around the well. This water forces the
remaining oil toward the area of the well from which it can be
recovered.
- Tertiary stage of recovery is used in order to remove as
much oil as possible. This involves pumping steam, carbon
dioxide gas or nitrogen gas into the reservoir to force the
remaining oil toward the well. It is known as enhanced oil
recovery (EOR).
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
Non-renewable Energy Source: Crude Oil
- EOR is very expensive and can cost up to half of the value of
oil removed.
- Carbon dioxide used in this method remains sequestered in
the deep reservoir, thus mitigating its potential greenhouse
effect on the atmosphere.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
Non-renewable Energy Source: Crude Oil
Naptha
Gasoline
Gas
Kerosene
Diesel
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
Crude Oil
Fuel Oil
Lubricating Oil
Tar
Laboratory scale production
Naptha
Gasoline
Distillation
Gas
Kerosene
Diesel
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
Crude Oil
Fuel Oil
Lubricating Oil
Tar
Industrial production
Crude oil distillation
products
Carbon
atoms
Boiling range
Petroleum Gas
C1 to C4
< 40oC
Naphtha
C5 to C9
60 to 100oC
Gasoline
C5 to C12
40 to 205oC
Kerosene
C10 to C18
175 to 325oC
Diesel (Gas Oil)
C12 and more
250 to 350oC
Lubricating Oil
C20 to C50
300 to 370oC
Fuel Oil (Heavy Gas)
C20 to C70
370 to 600oC
Residuals
C70 and more
> 600oC
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
Industrial production
Products
Uses
Petroleum Gas
used for cooking, heating and making plastics
Naphtha
intermediate that will be further processed to
make gasoline
Gasoline
motor fuel
Kerosene
fuel for jet engines and tractors; starting
material for making other products
Diesel (Gas Oil)
used for diesel fuel and heating oil; starting
material for making other products
Lubricating Oil
used for motor oil, grease, other lubricants
Fuel Oil (Heavy Gas)
used for industrial fuel; starting material for
making other products
Residuals
coke, asphalt, tar, waxes; starting material for
making other products
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
LPG
Industrial production
Distillation
column
Petrol
Crude
Oil
Kerosene
Diesel
Fuel oil
Lubricating oil
Paraffin Wax
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
Furnace
Tar (Asphalt)
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
Non-renewable Energy Source: Crude Oil
Global Oil Production
(Million tonnes)
33.5% of global primary energy needs in 2010
4500
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
3612
3172
1990
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
3914
2000
year
2010
BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2011
Non-renewable Energy Source: Crude Oil
- An equivalent amount of oil produces more kilowatts of
energy than coal.
- CO2 emissions are lower than its energy equivalent coal.
- It also burns cleaner, producing about 50 percent less
sulfur dioxide.
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
http://cnx.org/content/m16730/latest/
Non-renewable Energy Source: Crude Oil
- Burning of oil releases atmospheric pollutants such as
sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide and carbon
monoxide.
- These gases are smog-precursors that pollute the air and
greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.
- Substantial oil reserves lie under the ocean. Oil spill
accidents involving drilling platforms kill marine organisms
and birds.
- Some reserves such as those in northern Alaska occur in
wilderness areas.
- The building of roads, structures and pipelines to support
oil recovery operations can severely impact the wildlife in
those natural areas.
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
Non-renewable Energy Source: Crude Oil
Global CO2 emissions from the burning of fossil fuels & the
manufacture of cement (in 109 kg CO2):
12000
10000
8000
6000
from solid fuel burning
from liquid fuel burning
from gas fuel burning
from cement production
from gas flaring
4000
2000
0
1750
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
1800
1850
1900
Year
1950
2000
Source: http://cdiac.ornl.gov/trends/emis/glo.html
Non-renewable Energy Source: Crude Oil
Reserves-to-Production
(R/P) ratios:
World proved oil reserves
in 2010 were sufficient to
meet 46.2 years of global
production.
World R/P ratio
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2011
Non-renewable Energy Source: Crude Oil
Peak Oil
Production
from Mexico's
largest oilfield,
Cantarell, fell
from
1.99 million b/d
in Jan 2006
to
1.44 million b/d
in Dec 2006.
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
Source: http://www.hubbertpeak.com/mx/
Non-renewable Energy Source: Crude Oil
Peak1600
Oil
Proved Reserves
(1000 million barrels)
1400
1383
1200
1000
800
1105
1003
600
400
200
0
1990
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
2000
year
2010
BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2011
Well number 34 has run dry and is now pumping fossils
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
Source: www.cartoonstock.com/directory/f/fossil_fuel.asp
Non-renewable Energy Source: Crude Oil
Crude oil prices since 1861
US$ per barrel
$2010
Money of the day
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2011
Non-renewable Energy Source: Oil Shale
- Oil shale is an organic-rice sedimentary rock with very fine
pores that contain kerogen, a carbon-based, waxy substance.
- If shale is heated to 490º C, the kerogen vaporizes and can
then be condensed as shale oil, a thick viscous liquid.
- This shale oil is generally further refined into usable oil
products.
- Production of shale oil requires large amounts of energy for
mining and processing the shale.
- About a half barrel of oil is required to extract every barrel of
shale oil.
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
http://cnx.org/content/m16730/latest/
Non-renewable Energy Source: Oil Shale
- Oil shale is plentiful, with estimated reserves totaling 3 trillion
barrels of recoverable shale oil.
- These reserves alone could satisfy the world's oil needs for
about 100 years.
- Environmental problems associated with oil shale recovery
include:
- large amounts of water needed for processing,
- disposal of toxic waste water, and
- disruption of large areas of surface lands.
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
http://cnx.org/content/m16730/latest/
Non-renewable Energy Source: Tar Sands
- Tar sands (oil sands) are a combination of clay, sand, water
and bitumen (a heavy black viscous oil).
- This thick crude does not flow easily and thus normal oil
recovery methods cannot be used to mine it.
- Tar sand deposits are mined, usually using strip mining or
open pit techniques, if tar sands are near the surface.
- Tar sands are processed to extract the oil-rich bitumen,
which is then refined into oil.
- In order to extract the oil from deep-seated tar sands,
steam must be injected into the reservoir to make the oil flow
better and push it toward the recovery well.
- The energy cost for producing a barrel of tar sand is similar
to that for oil shale.
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
http://cnx.org/content/m16730/latest/
Non-renewable Energy Source: Tar Sands
- The largest tar-sand deposit in the world is in Canada
(Alberta) and contains enough material (about 500 billion
barrels) to supply the world with oil for about 15 years.
- Environmental problems associated with tar sands
recovery include:
- greenhouse gas emissions and global warming
- impacts of wildlife and air and water quality
- large amounts of water needed for processing (several
barrels of water for each barrel fo water produced)
- disposal of toxic waste water, and
- disruption of large areas of surface lands.
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
http://cnx.org/content/m16730/latest/
Non-renewable Energy Source: Crude Oil & Oil Sands
1600
Proved Reserves
(1000 million barrels)
1400
Crude oil
Oil sands
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
1990
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
2000
year
2010
BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2011
Non-renewable Energy Source: Natural Gas
Global Gas Production
(Million tonnes)
23.8% of global primary energy needs in 2010
3500
3000
2500
2881
2000
1500
2179
1790
1000
500
0
1990
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
2000
year
2010
Non-renewable Energy Source: Natural Gas
Reserves-to-Production
(R/P) ratios:
World proved oil reserves
in 2010 were sufficient to
meet 58.6 years of global
production.
World R/P ratio
Prof. R. Shanthini
January 07, 2012
BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2011