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Energy Resources

Energy Resources. Geothermal Energy: A Free Lunch?. Environmental Problems of Geothermal Energy It is Finite Heat Sources Can Be Exhausted (Geysers, California) Sulfur Emissions Disposal of Mineralized Brines . Technical Problems of Geothermal Energy Corrosion Mineral Deposition in Pipes

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Energy Resources

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  1. Energy Resources

  2. Geothermal Energy: A Free Lunch? Environmental Problems of Geothermal Energy • It is Finite • Heat Sources Can Be Exhausted (Geysers, California) • Sulfur Emissions • Disposal of Mineralized Brines Technical Problems of Geothermal Energy • Corrosion • Mineral Deposition in Pipes • Non-Productive gases (Carbon dioxide, methane, etc.) • Low Temperatures • Low Thermodynamic Efficiency

  3. Thermodynamic Efficiency

  4. Thermodynamic Efficiency • Eff. = (Ti - Tf)/Ti • T = Degrees Kelvin = Degrees C + 273 • Ti = initial temperature • Tf = final temperature

  5. Thermodynamic Efficiency Automobile Engine • Ti = 1200 C = 1473 K • Tf = 500 C = 773 K • Eff = (1473 - 773)/1473 = 48% Typical Steam Power Plant • Ti = 700 C = 973 K • Tf = 200 C = 473 K • Eff = (973 - 473)/973 = 51%

  6. Thermodynamic Efficiency Geothermal Power Plant • Ti = 150 C = 423 K • Tf = 80 C = 353 • Eff = (423 - 353)/423 = 17% Actual achieved efficiencies • Automobile on Highway: about 5% • Geothermal Plant: 5% or So, Sometimes less than 1%

  7. Nuke-u-lar Energy • U-235 fissions to lighter nuclei • Naturally 0.7% in uranium ore • Must be enriched to 3-4% for reactors • Mining is conventional metal mining • Radium (decay product) is principal problem in mine wastes

  8. Radiation Hazards • Problem in the body is ionization and creation of free radicals • Alpha particles (He nuclei) have +2 charge • Do not penetrate skin • Worst ionization problem if ingested • Beta particles (Electrons) • Weak penetration ability • Moderate ionization problem • Gamma Rays (High Energy photons) • Great Penetrating ability • Lowest ionization ability

  9. Plutonium • Produced in small amounts in civilian reactors • Toxicity of Plutonium is a Myth • Chemically it is comparable to U, Th • Ra and Rn are worse radiation hazards • Chemical plus Radiation hazard high • Main Problem: Long-lived waste product • Security issue: Can be Chemically Separated from Uranium

  10. Nuclear Waste • Contain until radiation decays to negligible levels (Pu = 24,000 years) • Possible Containment Schemes • Yucca Mountain • Crystalline Rock • Salt Domes • Subduction Zones? • Space? • Breeder Reactors? • Security Concerns

  11. Fossil Fuels

  12. Coal Seams, Utah

  13. Coal • Delta, continental environments • Autochthonous: Grew in Place • Allochthonous: Transported Log Mats • Carbonized Woody Material • Often fossilized trees, leaves present

  14. Plant Fragments Are Often Visible in Coal

  15. Coal Forms From Wood

  16. Petroleum A hydrocarbon molecule What organisms make these? Answer: None

  17. Petroleum • Lots of organisms make these, however • Fatty Acids • Probable source: Marine plankton

  18. Hydrocarbons CnH2n+2

  19. Hydrocarbons • Methane = Natural Gas • Propane-Butane = Bottled Gas • Iso-octane (2,2,4 Trimethylpentane) = Gasoline • Cetane (Hexadecane = C16 H34) = Diesel Fuel • Kerosene = 12-15 Carbons • Mineral oil, petroleum jelly, paraffin wax = 20-40 Carbons • Bitumen (Asphalt) ~ 50 Carbons

  20. Iso-Octane (Gasoline)

  21. Abiogenic Petroleum? • 18Mg2SiO4 + 6Fe2SiO4 + 26H2O + CO2 → 12Mg3Si2O5(OH)4 + 4Fe3O4 + CH4 • Olivine + Water → Serpentine + Magnetite + Methane • nCH4 + nFe3O4 + nH2O → C2H6 + Fe2O3 + HCO3 + H+ • Methane + Magnetite → Ethane + Hematite • Minority view in Russia • Resurgence among U.S. Right Wing

  22. Petroleum-Bearing Rocks, Utah

  23. Petroleum Traps

  24. Seismic Reflection Profile

  25. MethaneHydrate

  26. Gas Hydrates • Hydrocarbons trapped in cage of water molecules • Freeze above 0 C under moderate pressure • Solid gas hydrates occur in marine sediments (“yellow ice”) • Potentially huge energy resource • Possible role in climate change?

  27. Energy Use, California, 1972

  28. Energy Use, California, 1979

  29. Energy Use, California, 1993

  30. Energy Use, California, 1994

  31. Energy Use, California, 2003

  32. All You Need to Know

  33. Economics • 2000 WINNEBAGO CHIEFTAIN SERIES M-36LP-DSL • Average Retail Price: $51,600 • Suggested List: $140,851 • Source: NADAGuides.com (23 April 2010) • Ten-Year Cost: $89,251 • @$300/day = 297 days = 30 days/year

  34. Planning for the future has long-term benefits Procrastination pays off Now

  35. An Oil Drilling Bit

  36. “World’s Richest Acre”

  37. Offshore Oil Rig

  38. Offshore Oil Rig

  39. Offshore Oil Rig

  40. Deep-Water Oil Rig(Houston for Scale)

  41. Anchor Link for Deep Water Rig

  42. Ocean Star, Galveston, Texas

  43. Cutaway of Drill Bit

  44. Soft Rock Bits

  45. Derrick

  46. Pipe Grappler

  47. Drilling Floor

  48. “Christmas Tree”

  49. “Christmas Tree”

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