Fossil Fuels:Society’s Addictive Habit

Trey Cram

Main Topics

• What are Fossil Fuels• Types of Fossil Fuels• How we use Fossil Fuels• Fossil Fuel Limitation• Aftermath of Fossil Fuels• Fossil Fuels vs. Alternative Fuels• Politics and Fossil Fuels

What are Fossil Fuels?

•Main Deposits from Carboniferous Period (360-286 m.y.a.)-Land was covered with:

1. Large Trees2. Huge Ferns3. Grand Leafy Plants

- Water and Seas primarily filled with algae• Death of Plants and Trees during this

period1. Plant and Tree waste fell to the

bottom of swamps and oceans2. Waste formed “Peat Layer”3. Peat layer-sedimentary 4. Rock pile on sedimentary layer

• Millions of Years of Pressure1. Pressure squeezed water out of

peat2. Result- coal, petroleum, or natural

gas

Energyquest.ca.gov

Types of Fossil Fuels

• Coal• Petroleum or Oil• Natural Gas

Coal• Constituents:

1. Carbon2. Hydrogen3. Oxygen4. Nitrogen5. Sulfur

• Main Types:1. Anthracite2. Bituminous3. Lignite

• Coal Mining1. Coal Extraction2. Shafts are dug deep

underground3. Strip Mining

• Coal Dispersion1. Shipped: train, boat, pipeline

• Coal Usage1. Used to fuel power plants and

factories to produce energy for the city

Energyquest.ca.gov

Oil or Petroleum:Background

• What is it?- Formed over 300 m.y.a.- Tiny Diatoms are source of oil

• Diatoms-Organisms that can convert sunlight directly into stored energy-Convesion to Oil

1. Buried under sediment layer

2. Rock pressure on diatoms

3. Carbon => Oil• Transformation of Earth

created oil and natural gas pockets within the Earth

energy.quest.ca.gov

Oil:History and Modern

Applications• Has been used for over 5,000-6,000 years

-Used by many civilizations: Assyrians, Babylonians, Egyptions, Native Americans, and more

• Modern Oil Drilling- Edwin Drake (8/27/1859)- Oil companies drill into deposits - Oil pumped to the surface by Oil Rigs

through pipelines or ships

• Oil Storage- Transported by large tanker ships- Stored in massive oil tanks- Oil Refineries

• Top Oil Deposits- Domestic: California and Alaska- Foreign: Saudi Arabia, Canada, Iraq,

U.A.E., Kuwait, Iran- 50% of the oil we use is foreign

(majority from the Middle East)

energy.quest.ca.govMapsofworld.com

Natural Gas:Background

• Discovery-Iran (6,000-2,000 BCE)-Gas Seeps in the Middle East

• Characteristics-Lighter than air-Mainly composed of Methane-Methane- CH4

•Where is it Found?-Found near petroleum underground pockets (near coal beds)-Domestic: 33 States- TX, OK, NM, WY-Globally: U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, Europe, Middle East, Asia

• Global and Domestic Usage-2,464 billion cubic meters of NG is dug, processed, and used globally annually-70% of single-family homes in the U.S. used NG for gas heating

-energy.quest.ca.gov-pge.com-eia.gov

Natural GasProcessing

• Mechanisms1. Biogenic Mechanism – methanogenic organisms2. Thermogenic Mechanism – organic material

• Processing Plants- Around major pipeline systems

1. Well-Head Processing Plants2. Centralized Processing Plants

- Plant-Complexes are complexes of connecting low-pressure pipelines

• Processing - Separate all materials (various hydrocarbons and

fluids) from the pure-natural gas- Natural Gas must be purified before

transportation

• Byproducts- Ethane, Propane, Carbon Dioxide, Water Vapor,

Helium, and Nitrogen gas

naturalgas.orgeia.gov

Natural GasTransportation

• Complex network of pipelines near the storage facility– Small Diameter/Low-Pressure Pipelines– Transport the natural gas from the wellhead to

the processing plants

• 3 Major Pipelines1. Gathering System2. Interstate Pipeline System3. Distribution System

• Ocean - LNG Carriers – ships carry Liquefied Natural

Gas

• Land- Pipelines- Tank Trucks - carry Compressed Natural Gas

Naturalgas.org

Natural GasStorage

• Held in underground pressure facilities

1. Depleted Reservoirs in oil/gas fields2. Aquifers 3. Salt Cavern Formations

• Facility Characteristics1. Capacity to hold natural gas for

future use2. Withdrawn Inventory Rate and

Deliverability Rate

• Problems- Low density of the natural gas makes

it hard to store efficiently and transport

pge.org & naturalgas.org

How we use Fossil Fuels:Converting Fossil Fuels to Energy

• Overview- Energy from burning fossil fuels

is converted to electricity and heat in power plants

• Basic Process- CH4[g] + 2 O2[g] -> CO2[g] + 2

H2O[g] + energy- Electricity is generated

a) Mechanical Energy is transformed to Electrical Energy

b) Energy is converted through a generator or turbine

c) Process normally takes place within power plants

Lenntech.com

Fossil Fuel Applications

• Provide Energy- Coal, Oil, and Natural

Gas provide the energy to power our society and economy everyday

• Main Energy Products1. Providing Electricity 2. Fueling Transportation3. Heating and Cooling

Iptv.org Elmhurst.edu

Fossil Fuel Limitation

• Reserves (R) and Production (P) Ratio1. Oil – 46 years (2055)2. Natural Gas – 63 years

(2072)3. Coal – 119 years (2128)

• Growth vs. Depletion Date- Avg. Growth Rate (since

1981)/ Depletion Date1. Oil – 1% / 2046 2. Natural Gas – 2.6% / 2046 3. Coal – 2.2% / 2068

Science20.com

Fossil Fuel Depletion vs.

Population Growth • Growth Rate depends

on socioeconomic factors- Policy-making, Fuel

Prices, Demographics, Technical Advancements

• Predicting “the end”1) Uncertainty in Growth

Rate2) Uncertainty in Reserves

Science20.com

World Energy Model• International Energy Agency• Mathematical Model composed

of 6 modules1. Final Energy Demand2. Power Generation3. Refinery and Other Transformation4. Fossil Fuel Supply5. Carbon Dioxide Emissions6. Investment

• Main Goal- WEM is a model composed of

~16,000 equations, to help replicate how energy markets work

Iea.orgScience20.com

World Energy Model

World Energy Model• Oil Depletion

1. Earliest: 2033 (4.7%, 1)2. Latest: 2146 (0%, 3)3. AVG: 2070 (1.3%, 2) – 2105 (0.7%, 3)

• Natural Gas Depletion1. Earliest: 2038 (4.9%, 1)2. Latest: 2165 (0%, 2.5)3. AVG: 2061 (2.1%, 1.5) – 2095 (1.3%, 2.5)

• Coal Depletion1. Earliest: 2049 (5%, 1)2. Latest: 2448 (0%, 4)AVG: 2079 (2.5%, 1.5) – 2155 (1.4%, 4)

Science20.com

Petroleum Aftermath1. Collapse of Nations

- Domino Effect

2. Medical Concerns- Power & Medical Supplies

3. National/Domestic Power- Society and Life based off of energy

4. Economic Downfall- Transportation and World Market- 74% of our oil is used for

transportation

5. Import/Export- Transporting Goods

Energyquest.ca.gov

Collapse of Nations• Domino Effect

- GVT Communications Foreign and Domestic

- Import/Export Supplies Food, Water, Medicine,

Work Labor

- Transportation Planes, Boats, Cars

- Domestic Energy Power Homes

Medical Concerns• Transportation

1. Patient Transfer2. Medical Supplies

• Domestic Energy1. Hospital Building2. Life-Support Machines3. Imaging Systems

Economic Downfall• National/Domestic

Power1. Lifestyle2. Society3. Government

• Economic Collapse1. Petroleum Based Jobs2. Tourism & Travel3. Stock Market4. International Trade

What Is Our Plan?

Fossil Fuels vs. Alternative Fuels

Fossil Fuels

1. Oil or Petroleum2. Natural Gas3. Coal

Alternative Fuels

• Wind Power• Solar Power• Nuclear Fission• Biofuels• Hydrogen Power

Wind Power• Process:

1. Heat from the Sun2. Earth’s uneven surface3. Rotation of Earth

• Energy Storage1. Wind = Mechanical Energy = Power2. Wind Turbines produce energy

• Wind Turbine1. Wind turns propellers 2. Electric Generator

• Utilization1. Free Renewable Source2. Clean Energy

• Cons1. High Initial Investment2. Location

Windeis.anl.gov

Hydrogen Power

• History- Gaffron and Rubin 1939

• Major Processes1. Steam Reforming2. Hydrogen Electrolysis

High Pressure High Temperature

3. Algae Utilization

• Transport and Storage• Pros and Cons

Hydrogen Power Processes:Steam Reforming

• Leading Hydrogen Process• Natural Gas

1. Methane Reaction2. Carbon Monoxide + Steam

= Exothermic Reaction3. Carbon Monoxide Removal

• Cons1. Cost2. Carbon Dioxide Emissions3. StorageFossilEnergy.gov

Hydrogen Power Processes:Coal Technology

• Hydrogen Produced by:1. Gasification2. Subsequent processing of

resulting gas

• Process:1. Coal + Oxygen Reaction2. Synthesis Gas Formation3. Cleansing 4. Hydrogen Recovery

• Cons1. Cost2. Storage 3. Lack of Research

Fossilfuelenergy.gov

Hydrogen Power Processes:Hydrogen Electrolysis

• Definition- The breakdown of water

through an electric current - Separation of Hydrogen from

Oxygen- Fuel cell combines hydrogen

and oxygen to produce electricity, heat, and water

• Methods1. High-Pressure 2. High-Temperature3. Industrial Electrolysis

Fossil.energy.govhydrogencars.now.com

Fossil.energy.gov

Hydrogen PowerPros and Cons

Pros

1. Produces a “cleaner” process to produce energy- Help climate change- Better Lifestyle

2. Renewable Energy- Better future and less stress on the

economy

3. Hydrogen is very abundant- Money expenditure on foreign drilling

sites can be used elsewhere in a country’s society

4. Reduce dependence on foreign oil- Spend less time on conflict in drilling

in foreign countriesKeyframe5.com

Cons

1. Still produces carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases

2. Fuel cell batteries are expensive to: transport, store, and produce

3. Less energy to travel further distances than fossil fuels

Fossil FuelsPros and Cons

Pros

1. High Calorific Value2. Easier to refine and

produce3. 50% of factories and mills

are powered by coal energy

4. Easy Storage and Transportation

Buzzle.com

Cons

1. Climate Change- Releases Greenhouse Gases

2. Acid Rain3. Health Hazards

- Water contamination- Polluted Air

4. Land Degredation1. Strip Mining2. Toxic work envrionment

When Will We Change?

• Why aren’t we being progressive?1. Politics2. Greed3. Time vs. Cost

Alternate Fuel Progression upheld by Politics and Greed

• Government and Petroleum ties– Officials and political parties

sponsored by petroleum businesses

• Poor management of the nation’s budget– Alternative Fuels should be the

#1 priority

• Foreign Conflicts• “Oil” on Capital Hill

– Bush and Cheney CampaignPbs.org

What is our Plan?

• Fossil Fuels will deplete eventually and soon

• Climate Change’s damage will become worse each year

• Earth’s population ill continue to grow

Questions• What can we do?• Are the ties between

government officials and “big” oil companies hindering progression in alternative fuels?

• Persevere through a decade of change now or suffer through decades of mass chaos later?

• What will it take for a massive change to happen?

Source Cited• Source Cited• http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/story/chapter08.html• http://www.lenntech.com/greenhouse-effect/fossil-fuels.htm• http://www.iptv.org/exploremore/energy/profiles/fossil_fuels.cfm• http://www.science20.com/absentminded_professor/peak_uncertainty_when_will_

we_run_out_fossil_fuels-70294• http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/tech/hydrogen• http://www.fossil.energy.gov/programs/fuels/hydrogen/currenttechnology.html• http://www.hydrogencarsnow.com/hydrogen-electrolysis.htm• http://www.awea.org/learnabout/utility/index.cfm• http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/energy/next-generation/4199381• http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/energy/next-generation/4199381• http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/347/oil-politics.html• http://www.buzzle.com/articles/fossil-fuels-pros-and-cons.html• http://windeis.anl.gov/guide/basics/index.cfm• http://www.keyframe5.com/hydrogen-pros-and-cons/

“Collapse” Video

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Q1oDmANIXc&feature=relmfu