Key Concepts in Climate Change and Combustion

This set of flashcards covers essential concepts from the lecture notes on climate change, combustion chemistry, fossil fuels, renewable energy sources, and emerging technologies in environmental management.

What are some significant effects of climate change?

Rising sea levels, increased flooding, extreme weather events, and higher average temperatures.

What is the combustion hierarchy focused on?

Methane-air flames and simplified models for combustion reactions.

What occurs at temperatures below 200°C in combustion processes?

Elementary reactions like atmospheric CO oxidation.

What happens at temperatures above 1000°C during combustion?

Radical concentration increases, and catalysis becomes irrelevant.

What are NOx and SOx in the context of combustion chemistry?

Complex reactions involving nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx).

What percentage of global electricity is provided by coal?

Approximately 37%.

How many premature deaths are attributed to coal combustion annually?

Over 800,000 globally.

What are the types of coal and their properties?

Anthracite, bituminous, sub-bituminous, and lignite, each varying in heating value and moisture content.

What are the environmental risks associated with coal combustion?

Ash production leading to slagging, fouling, and radiation release.

What is fracking and its environmental concerns?

A controversial method of extracting natural gas linked to earthquakes and water pollution.

How much methane emissions did natural gas and petroleum systems account for in the U.S. in 2018?

About 29% of total U.S. methane emissions.

What are gas hydrates, and why are they significant?

Vast, untapped energy sources with potential methane release exceeding anthropogenic GHG emissions.

What is the role of hydrogen in energy production?

Considered an energy transfer medium, with safety concerns due to its properties.

What is the efficiency of fuel cells as an energy conversion technology?

Up to 60%.

What is the potential impact of climate goals on fossil fuel reliance?

The need for commitments like phasing out coal power to achieve net zero emissions.

What is carbon capture and storage (CCS)?

A technology aimed at reducing CO2 emissions through various storage methods.

What is the primary aim of calcium looping (CaL)?

To capture CO2 more efficiently and cost-effectively than other methods.

What are the health risks associated with heat and humidity?

Higher than previously believed, particularly for vulnerable populations.

What is the potential of solar geoengineering (SG) as a climate strategy?

A mitigation method to counteract CO2 emissions, although it requires extended use.

What is direct air capture (DAC)?

A method to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, crucial for meeting climate targets.