Name: Cheung Ka Hang, Kevin (6), Leung Ka Ho, Tommy (27)
Chemistry Project (essay) --FOSSIL FEUL
Energy is essential for us. We often use electricity in our daily life
that spends lots of fuel. Turning on lights and driving cars are the ones
that we always do. Fossil fuels are energy-rich substances and most
energy is produced by burning fossil fuels. However, there are many
potential problems of fossil fuel, we need to solve rapidly. For instance,
1. Fossil Fuels are FINITE!
- They are in LIMITED SUPPLY
2. They are UNEVENLY DISTRIBUTED throughout the world
- Some places have them, others do not
3. There are many pollutants produced while burning the fossil fuels.
Despite the importance of fossil fuels are very practical, they will be
used up in the future, therefore, we need to look for alternative energy
source for fossil fuel.
To start with, the main sources of the fossil fuels include oil, nature
gas and coal.
Oil and Natural gas
--formed gradually from having died animals for a long time. The layer
of the animals will deposit under by the crustal movement. Finally, oil will
be formed and the natural will formed above the oil.
Coal
--formed gradually after the plants dying for from one million to 4
billions years ago. The plants grew in swamps. After dying, they
would form a layer which mixes with the minerals under the swamps.
It is called peat which is pressured because of the crustal
movement. Finally, they would become difference types of coal
depending on the pressured time. For example: lignite and
anthracite.
Shortage problem
1. The price of the oil will increase sharply. It will affect the economic
of the world.
2. Lots of work cannot be continued such as driving cars, industry
production, etc.
3. The electricity supply will be affected.
Crisis in 70's
As there is conflicts between Arab countries and western countries.
Instantly, the United States allied with Israel, against the Arab forces in
Palestine. Arab forces united against Israel, and the Soviet Union helped
the Arabs with technology and weapons. Egypt and Syria wanted to
reconquer the lost regions from the Six-Day War, so they attacked
Israel surprise. Because of the support by western countries, Israel could
beat off Egypt and Syria. On the 22nd of October 1973 an armistice
came into force with the help of the United Nations. The Arabs
responded in 1973 with a revolt against Western powers. Therefore, the
crisis began. The OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries)
cartel led to rising gas prices in early 1970's. The embargo lasted six
months until 18th March 1974; the Arab countries did not export oil any
longer to countries which helped Israel.
Effects of the Crisis
1 U.S. attitudes toward the sources of energy changed drastically
2 National Energy Act was passed in 1978, including conservation
incentives and taxes, and limits for the use of oil and gas in electrical
generation
3 Gas stations shut down because of shortages--the industries needed
to stop producing. There are unwrought electricity to supply.
4 Prices for gas rose significantly, longer lines appeared at the filling
stations, and fear of OPEC's control over the economy grew quickly.
Pollution problem of fossil fuel
Today, fossil fuel is used to generate energy. While burning fossil
fuel, lots of carbon dioxide will be released. This carbon dioxide will drift
on the atmosphere. It can traps light energy and will cause global warming
and further change the climate. Changing the climate, the whole eco-
system will be affected. Many fuels contain sulphur, especially coal so
sulphur dioxide, which will cause acid rain, is produced during burning it.
Also, nitrogen oxides or dioxide will cause acid rain. Besides, incinerators
of power stations will release hydrocarbons which cause photochemical
smog and suspended particulates which will irritate the human respiratory
system. It is too harmful to human to burn fossil fuel for energy.
Alternative power sources for fossil fuel
There is lots of alternative power sources e.g. Wind energy, solar
energy, biomass energy, nuclear power and hydro-power.
Wind energy is one of the best and cost-effective renewable
resources; it is the process where the wind is used to generate
electricity. Wind turbines change the kinetic energy in the wind into
mechanical power. This mechanical power can be used for specific things
or a generator can turn this mechanical power into electricity.
Pros and cons--in spite of being a clean source, wind energy can only
generate electricity at about 12 mph and also wind can't be predicted.
Furthermore wind energy is available for electricity only locations where
the average wind speeds are great enough to drive the wind turbines.
Solar energy is also a clean and renewable resource. It relies on the
photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electric energy.
Pros and cons--the solar energy can use in the places with a lot of
sunlight. In addition, solar power is so expensive because of the silicon
used in photovoltaic cells. It is pricey. However, it is long term and helps
save money. The positioning of buildings in certain positions might help to
use solar energy to our advantage being that there would be no use of
electricity and more use of the sun.
Nuclear Power is a controversial energy source. It is inexpensive and
creates no air pollution, but during accidents, the radioactivity released
at nuclear power plants has caused deaths and environmental damage.
There are at least 400 nuclear power plants around the world. A reactor
produces and controls the release of energy from atoms by splitting the
atomic nuclei. The energy in the nuclear power reactor is released to
generate electricity.
Pros and cons-- there have been an astonishing accident in the history of
civil nuclear power. The accident happened in the Chernobyl nuclear power
plant in Ukraine. In April 26, 1986, as the 4th reactor was overheating, it
exploded and produced large radioactive fallouts drifted over the
majority of Europe. It caused not only 31 people die, but also affected
more than 5 millions people who evacuated or suffered from the diseases
lead by radiation. Therefore, there are potential hazards during
generating energy by nuclear power plants. On the other hands, it can
provide enough energy for the world in the future.
Hydro-power is the falling water run through a turbine which converts
the water's energy into mechanical power. The spinning of the water
turbines is transferred to a generator which produces electricity.
Pros and cons-- hydro power is the cheapest source. Also, there’s no
pollutants produced. Besides, hydro electric plants require reservoirs.
Reservoirs are created by damming streams and rivers in specific areas
such as canyons and small valleys. This causes environmental damage and
affects the eco-system.
Biomass energy is a fuel from any recently living organism which can
be generated from any sort of vegetation-- trees, grasses, and land and
ocean plants. Biomass has very high energy content and can come from
construction waste, yard trimmings, mill wastes, logging and forest
residues, agricultural residues, some kinds of municipal waste, and crops
called energy crops that are grown specifically to provide energy. For
instance, sugarcane is used to ferment alcohol for driving fuel in Brazil.
The remnants of used sugarcane can also be used to generate energy.
Comparison with alcohol and oil shows that alcohol is cheaper and better
than oil for driving because alcohol for driving releases fewer pollutants.
Pros and cons--
Ensure soil stability and health along with minimizing chemical
residues and habitat destruction.
Using methane from producers such as cows or rice fields and
applying it for fuel will significantly reduce the greenhouse gas.
Use of waste from agriculture and timber industries. 350
million tons of waste that goes to landfills could be used for
energy production.
No net increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide.
It is better to use biomass energy. However, it needs an amount of
biomass to generate energy.
The Future of Power can be viewed in many ways as well as derived
from many different resources. As far as we know, there are several
forms of energy, which we can identify and use. But due to the decrease
in amount of fossil fuel, the future will rely mainly on renewable sources.
There are many questions we would have when deciding what the future
of power will be. There are also many questions to be asked for future
generations.
