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.