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Presentation Format. Different various types of Energy sources currently available to us. Explain what each source is How the sources are used How they can be effective forms of energy for us in the future Explain why it is essential to us to develop these forms as quickly as possible
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Presentation Format • Different various types of Energy sources currently available to us. • Explain what each source is • How the sources are used • How they can be effective forms of energy for us in the future • Explain why it is essential to us to develop these forms as quickly as possible • Explain why these Energy forms must for be studied and advanced for Sustainability purposes.
Production, consumption, and reserves of fossil fuels worldwide • In this portion of the presentation we will examine: • The three major fossil fuels: • Natural Gas • Coal • Oil • The production and consumption of each by nation • The estimated remaining amount of each non-renewable energy source
Fossil Fuels • Non-renewable • Accounts for approximately 87% of the energy consumed world wide • Data on left shows break down of energy consumed in the year 2004
What are fossil fuels? • Created by the decompisition of organisms over time with the assistance of pressure and heat. • Composed primarily of carbons and hydrocarbons
How much fossil fuel do we use? • In the year 2008 the world consumed: • 85,534,000 barrels/day of crude oil • Appox. 7 billion short tons of coal • 108.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas
What exactly is a barrel? • A barrel is equal to 44 - 45 gallons. • Typical products from a barrel of crude oil are broken down on the left.
When will we run out of fossil fuels? • It is essentially impossible to say. • Not all reserves have been found. • Shifts in technology constantly change the supply and demand of each fossil fuel.
Estimations • It is estimated that there is 4 trillion short tons of coal left in the world. • However, only 489 billion short tons are considered to be realistic to mine.
Estimations • It is estimated that there is 1,536 trillion cubic feet of natural gas left.
Basically, we don't need to worry about either of those for awhile.
Peak oil (USA) • Peak oil refers to the theoritical point at which oil production will peak, and then descend until it is impractical to produce oil anymore. • People have been trying to calculate peak oil since the 50s.
We will run out of fossil fuels, wether it is in the next 50 years, or the next 200 years does not change the fact that we need to begin working on alternatives now. Bottom line
The introduction of the atomic bomb 1945, not only showed the world the destructive power of splitting the atom, but also introduced a peaceful way to produce energy (electricity) Nuclear History
The Manhattan Project • President Roosevelt (FDR) approved the Manhattan Project • He did this only after the attack on Pearl Harbor took place. • And after hearing rumors of scientist in Berlin actively pursuing Nuclear fission research.
The Manhattan Project (Cont.) • Oak Ridge was the main production site for uranium for weapons during the war. • Weapons grade uranium , U-235 • Just like in the production of energy (later) the 235 isotope must be separated in order for it to create a reaction • This was done with electro magnetic separation, using something called an electro magnetic calutron.
The Manhattan Project (Cont.) • Uranium atoms would be fired from the ion source • Next an electro magnetic field would be passed through the system • This would cause the light isotope (U-235)to separate from the heavier isotopes • The U-235 would be collected in the collector (one atom at a time)
The Manhattan Project (Cont.) • This is actually multiple EMC systems. (Oak Ridge)
The Manhattan Project (Cont.) • The Bomb design by the scientist at Los Alamos was a gun design • It was designed to fire one piece of radio active material into another at 3000 ft/sec
The Manhattan Project (Cont.) • With the successful bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, And the success of the Manhattan Project itself • Scientist began to realize the potential of nuclear fission for peaceful means of producing, and supplying energy
Nuclear Fission for energy • Nuclear energy is now America's second largest source of electric power after coal.
Nuclear Fission for energy Cont. • There are 103 Nuclear reactors operating across the United States today. • Together they generate around 20% of the Nations electricity • World wide there are around 430 reactors that power 31differnt countries.
Nuclear Fission for energy Cont. • In order to produce this kind of power, these power plants must create a nuclear reaction with uranium similar to the way they did with the bomb.
Uranium Cont. • Uranium is the heaviest (Natural) element that there is • Being 18.7 times more dense than water • It has an atomic number of 92 ( number of protons in the nucleus). • Has a naturally occurring radiation
Uranium Cont. • Just like other metals Uranium is extracted through underground or open pit mining • At this point it is radio active, but not “super radio active”, (you could still handle it and be safe)
Uranium Cont. • In order for the Uranium to produce a useable fuel it must be processed and enriched • To do this the Uranium is converted into a gas form so that the isotope U-238 can be enriched to around 4-5% • Prior to this it (U-238) makes up about 1% of the ore
After being enriched The Uranium is reformed (into Uranium dioxcide), and formed into pellets. The pellets are then placed into tubes or (fuel rods), and bundled up for the reactor core. Uranium Cont.
HOW IT WORKS • Inside of the Reactor the uranium acts as a trigger to create energy that will eventually become elctricity. • During the process • The uranium reacts and forms heat • It then transfers the heat to water • The water turns to steam and powers electrical turbines that send out the energy to the power grid.
Dangers with Nuclear energy • After a year of operation, a large nuclear reactor produces 25-30 tons of solid waste which remains radioactive for a few thousand years. • We are forced to store up this waste until we can safely dispose of it
Dangers with Nuclear energy • Also the bundles of fuel rods create such immense heat that if not well monitored and adequately cooled by water, the containment chamber will melt and a meltdown will occur • This would release massive amounts of radiation into the atmosphere • 1986 Chernobyl is a good example of this. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCUW3nqouzs
There are several different types of Renewable sources available to us.* Solar* Wind * Water (hydro electric)* Geothermal
Solar Energy • Everyday the Sun pours Unimaginable amounts of energy into space. • The Earth collects fraction of a fraction of the total energyoutput by the sun. • Most of the energy collected by the earth from the sun is in the form of visible light. • This is then converted into other forms in order to be useful to us.
Solar Energy Cont. • The trick to using visible light is being able to convert it from light into heat, electricity, or some other useful form. • These conversions are generally done using solar panels
Solar Energy Cont. • Solar panels are made of several individual solar cells which are themselves composed of layers of silicon, • Solar panels absorb the photons and in doing so initiate an electric current. The resulting energy generated from photons striking the surface of the solar panel allows electrons to be knocked out of their atomic orbits and released into the electric field generated by the solar cells which then pull these free electrons into a directional current This entire process is known as the Photovoltaic Effect.
Solar Energy Cont. • In my opinion this renewable source is the best option for replacing all fossil fuels. • Although, Solar energy does have some obvious limitations. • Sun light is only available during the daytime • Sunlight can be obstructed by various things • (Clouds, trees, building, ext)
