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Ch 19 Condensed Power Point slides (APES - Pearson)

Overview of Fossil Fuels

  • Fossil fuels are derived from ancient organic matter and have become the dominant energy source since the Industrial Revolution.

  • Types of fossil fuels include coal, oil, and natural gas, which are classified as nonrenewable energy sources.

Alberta’s Oil Sands

  • Oil Sands Definition: Layers of sand/clay saturated with bitumen (viscous petroleum).

  • Extraction Process:

    • Forest clearing and land strip mining.

    • Mixing deposits with hot water/chemicals to extract bitumen.

    • Storing wastewater in toxic tailings lakes.

  • Market Impact: The United States is a major buyer and has profited from rising oil prices since 2003.

Keystone XL Pipeline

  • TransCanada constructed Keystone XL to transport tar sand oil.

  • The proposed extension aims to enhance capacity and reach North Dakota and Montana oil fields.

  • Protest Concerns:

    • Call for reduced oil use and transition to renewable energy.

    • Potential for ecological disasters like oil spills affecting Nebraska's Sandhills and the Ogallala Aquifer.

Energy Sources

  • Overview of major energy types collected.

    • Coal: Solid, nonrenewable.

    • Oil: Liquid, nonrenewable.

    • Natural Gas: Gas, nonrenewable.

    • Nuclear Energy: Nonrenewable, derived from uranium.

Energy from Nature

  • Sun is the primary energy source, driving natural processes.

  • Fossil fuels are formed from organisms under specific conditions (anaerobic environments).

  • Renewable Energy Sources: Sunlight, geothermal, and tidal energy are continuously replenished.

Historical Context

  • Early energy sources included firewood, and currently biomass is also used in forms like ethanol.

Fossil Fuel Consumption

  • Dominance of Fossil Fuels: Replaced biomass for energy since the Industrial Revolution due to higher efficiency.

  • The distribution of oil, coal, and natural gas reserves varies globally.

  • Developed nations consume more fossil fuels due to higher industrialization levels.

    • Example: US energy demand is met mostly via fossil fuels (80%).

Energy Production Complexity

Net Energy and EROI

  • Effective energy harvesting is energy-intensive; Net energy = Energy returned - Energy invested.

  • EROI Concept: This concept evaluates energy extraction efficiency; ratios have declined over decades (notably for oil and gas).

Fossil Fuel Formation and Extraction

  • Fossil fuels formed millions of years ago through geological processes involving heat and pressure.

    • Coal forms from woody matter; extraction methods include strip mining and mountaintop removal.

    • Crude oil and natural gas derived from carbonized plankton subjected to heat and pressure below impermeable formations.

    • Oil sands: Mixture with up to 20% bitumen.

    • Oil shale: Organic-rich rock yielding shale oil.

    • Methane hydrates: Solid forms of methane trapped in ice-like structures.

Economic Factors Influencing Extraction

  • Technologically and economically recoverable fossil fuel proportions dictate actual extraction feasibility.

Refining Process

Crude oil refining separates hydrocarbons for various uses (fuels, lubricants).

  • Coal is primarily harvested for electricity generation, with leading producers being China and the US.

Fossil Fuel Challenges

  • Finite availability and depletion of fossil fuel reserves (e.g., the R/P ratio of coal, oil, and gas).

  • Peak Oil: Concept where production hits maximum before declining, raising concerns over shortages.

Environmental and Health Impacts

  • Extraction Consequences: Landscape disruption, health risks to miners, soil erosion, and habitat loss.

    • Particular impacts from hydraulic fracturing include potential groundwater contamination and air pollution from methane.

Transport and Storage Hazards

  • Oil and coal transport via rail poses risks (derailment, spills).

  • Natural gas leaks contribute to atmospheric pollution and greenhouse effects.

Climate Change Effects and Economy

  • Burning fossil fuels significantly alters the carbon cycle and drives climate change by releasing CO2.

  • Fossil fuel emissions affect public health through contaminant exposure, prompting regulatory responses.

Carbon Capture and Energy Efficiency

  • Carbon capture and storage (CCS) aims to mitigate emissions but remains unproven and energy-intensive.

Societal Impacts and Energy Independence

  • External costs of fossil fuels include social healthcare burdens and environmental cleanup.

  • Energy security relies on diverse energy sources; fluctuating relations impact global energy dynamics.

Conservation Strategies

  • Energy efficiency vs. conservation:

    • Efficiency involves using technology to reduce energy consumption.

    • Conservation focuses on changing behaviors to minimize waste.

  • Personal actions and technology improvements can contribute to overall energy savings.