ENVS Exam 3

Energy efficiency

Technology driven

Energy conservation

Usage driven

Energy= force x distance kgm2/s2

Force x Distance

Units of power

energy / time kgm2/s3

Steps of nuclear power plant

1. U in the form of pellets are decayed which releases a lot of energy

2. The released energy heats up “heavy water” that is contained in a pipe

3. The “heavy water” heats up regular water, boiling it into steam

4. The steam spins a turbine. The moving magnets generate an electric current

5. The electricity is distributed across the grid via the power lines

Fission

When U undergoes nuclear fission, it decays and releases energy

Nuclear power pros

Energy dense,

no pollution,

less deaths,

reliable,

safer than fossil fuels

cheap

Nuclear power cons

Produces waste water vapor

Could cause other reactions

Infinite energy could be problematic

CO2 released in construction

Waste

Is ethanol energy efficient

It has the lowest EROI

Is biodiesel used in developing or developed countries

Developing

What are the steps for hydroelectric power

1. A large area is flooded and dammed to create a large reservoir of water

2. Water enters the penstock. The dam needs to be built in an area where the water can fall

3. The water speeds up as it falls down the channel

4. The water spins a turbine. The moving magnets create an electric current

5. The electricity is distributed across the grid via power lines

Hydroelectric pros

No C footprint when operating

No greenhouse gas emissions

Reliable

No extra heat

Inexpensive

Renewable

Hydroelectric cons

Floods land

Only use certain rivers

Displace populations

Solar power plant steps

1. The sun emits radiant energy. This occurs due to nuclear fusion in its core

2. Solar panels convert radiant energy by causing electrons to move

3. energy can be stored batteries to be when needed

4. The electricity is distributed across the grid via the power lines

Solar pros

Renewable

No greenhouse gases

Can be small or large scale

Sunlight is free and renewable

Solar cons

Depends on climate/place

Takes up land

Materials require mining

Short life span

Tidal/wind power steps

1. A turbine is spun by either the tides moving in and out, or by the wind

2. The electricity is distributed across the grid via the power lines

Turbine pros

No heat

no Greenhouse gases

Renewable

Turbine cons

Noise pollution

need greenhouse gases to assemble

more expensive

limited location

low EROI

Geothermal power steps

1. A well (pipe) is drilled down about 200 m to the Earth in a geologically active area

2. Very hot underground, hot water or steam flows up pipe

3. Stream spinds a turbine. The moving magnets generate an electric current

4. The electricity is distributed across the grid via the power lines

5. The hot water is returned to the Earth via a well

Geothermal pros

Renewable

Little to no pollution

no extra fuel

reliable

geothermal cons

limited geographically

Expensive to drill

Drilling can release gas\\]

point source of air pollution

a single source or pollution

Nonpoint source

many sources of pollution combining

Natural sources of air pollution

Fires, volcanoes, dust storms

Anthropogenic sources

Combustion, fire/grill

Primary pollution

released directly into the atmosphere

Secondary pollution

combination of primary sources

What are the 6 EPA Criteria Air Pollutants

CO, SOx, NOx, PM, Lead, Ozone

CO description, sources, and effects

colorless, oderless

combustion

asphyxiate, can’t breathe

SOx description, sources, and effects

colorless, foul gas

combustion of coal/diesal

Respiratory irritation, acid rain

NOx description, sources, and effects

NO, NO2

Combustion

Respiratory irritation, acid rain

PM

Solid/liquid particles in the air

combustion, wind

respiratory irritant classified by size

Lead

Heavy metal

gasoline, mining

Neurotoxin, bioaccumulation

Ozone

secondary pollution

VOCs + NOx + Sun = O3 + stuff

Respiratory irritant

Temperature Inversion

cool - warm- cold instead of warm - cold - cold as a result of smog

Industrial smog components and cause

PM, SO2, H2O —> sulfuric acid

Industrial plants burning coal

Photochemical smog components, cause, effects, and reducing

Ground level ozone

transportation, burning petroleum

Heart disease

Limit VOC and NOx

3 steps of Clean Air Act

1. regulating—laws, policies (EPA)

2. conserve: reduce fossil fuel use

3. alternative fuels: wind, solar, hydroelectric

Vapor recovery nozzle

moving vapor so it doesn’t go into the air

DECREASE VEHICLE POLLUTION

Catalytic converter

heavy metals that react produce atmospheric molecules to reduce vehicle pollution

DECREASE VEHICLE POLLUTION

Scrubber

Removes particulates, dust, and harmful acid gases (such as sulfur dioxide and hydrogen chloride) from industrial or marine exhaust streams before they escape into the atmosphere.

DECREASES INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION

Electrostatic precipitator

Use electronegative charges to pick up PM

DECREASES INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION

Acid rain cycle

SO2 + NO —> H2O and O2—> sulfuring acid (H2SO4) + Nitric acid (HNO3)

What is the main source of air pollution deaths

1. cigarette smoke

2. radon exposure

3. cooking fire

Health effects of indoor air pollution

asthma, asphyxiation, infectious diseases, bacteria exposure, sick building syndrome

Radon-222

Bedrock, caused decay of U, need to ventilate it, 2 leading cause of lung cancer

Sources of indoor air pollution

stores, furniture, pets, insulation, electronic equipment

Solutions of air pollution

open windows, buy non VOC products, plants, organic cleaning products