Unit 27 Consequences of using fossil fuels

Suggested answers to in-text activities

Internet Search and Presentation (page 116)

Pros and cons of using fossil fuels

Advantages of using fossil fuels

• All three types of fossil fuels: petroleum, coal and natural gas are readily available at a
relatively cheap price.

• Thermal-generating stations are often built near to the source of fuel and cooling water,
thus
provide savings on transport costs.

• Using fossil fuels for electricity generation provides a large amount of energy per unit
mass;
for example, one tonne of coal provides a lot more heat energy than one tonne of wood.

• The production of electricity from fossil fuels is not dependent on the time of day, weather
variations or seasonal effects. Thermal power stations can produce electricity continuously.

• Natural gas and petroleum-thermal power stations cost up to 30% less to design and
construct than coal-thermal power stations. They are also better for the environment. Natural
gas-thermal stations produce only 50% CO2 as coal, and do not produce any SO2.
Petroleum-thermal stations produce 70 ?75% the CO2 of coal stations.

• Petroleum and natural gas can be transported easily by pipeline, ship, road and rail.

• Petroleum can be used for internal combustion engines to power cars.

• Petroleum can be refined to provide raw materials for other products, such as plastics and
synthetic fabrics (e.g. nylon).

Disadvantages of using fossil fuels

• Fossil fuels are non-renewable energy sources. There is only a limited supply of them.

• CO2 is produced when coal is burnt. It is a greenhouse gas that has been linked to global
 warming.

• SO2 is produced when coal is burnt. It contributes to acid rain.

• Acid rain can contribute to deforestation and pollution of the river and lake systems. The
amount of SO2 emitted by burning coal can be reduced by 90% with desulphurization
techniques.

• A coal plant can release dust and fly ash. However, filters, like large vacuum cleaners, can
be used to catch these particles before they enter the air. The dust and ash can be used with
concrete in road building projects.

• Thermal-generating plants are often large and unattractive to look at.

• When the water used for cooling the steam in a thermal-generating plant is returned to its
natural source, it is warm and contains little air or oxygen. Plants and animals living in the
water require oxygen to survive. Thus this can have a harmful effect on the local ecosystem.

• Large thermal-generating stations have economies of scale, but do not use energy
efficiently.
Only 30 ?35% of the energy put in to the boiler is converted to electrical energy.

• Exploration and mining have a major impact on the environment.

• Open-cut mining methods destroy large areas of land.

• Underground coal mining is dangerous; around the world many lives have been lost
through
explosions and cave-ins.

• Petroleum spills during drilling cause major damage to ecosystems both on land and at
sea.

• At present, the main exporters of petroleum are countries in the Middle East, Russia and
Nigeria. Many of these countries are not politically stable. This makes both the price and
supply of petroleum unstable. This happened when Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990.

Exporters of petroleum (2001)

Exporters Mt
Saudi Arabia 303
Russia 162
Norway 151
 Islamic Republic of Iran 119
Venezuela 109
Nigeria 105
Mexico 93
Iraq 90
United Kingdom 87
United Arab Emirates 79
Rest of the world 663
World 1961

Major uses of petroleum products

Petroleum products fall into 3 major categories:

• fuels such as petrol and diesel fuel;

• non-fuel products such as solvents and lubricating oils;

• feedstocks for the petrochemical industry such as naphtha and various refinery gases.

Yearly growth rates of total primary energy by source (1971 - 2050)

Total energy Historical data Projection

Primary 1971- 1990- 2000- 2010- 2020- 2030- 2040-
2000 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050
demand
Biomass 1.74 1.5 1.40 2.70 2.90 2.50 3.00
Other 3.23 3.4 5.75 6.00 4.50 5.60 4.65
renewables
Nuclear 11.5 2.5 3.55 4.50 8.00 7.00 4.00
Coal 1.70 0.7 1.10 1.37 1.41 -1.60 -2.45
Petroleum 1.30 1.3 0.67 0.75 0.77 0.01 -0.55
Natural gas 3.00 2.2 3.55 2.57 2.76 1.77 1.00

Energy prices

In the Annual Energy Outlook 2004 reference case, the average world oil price increases from
$23.68 per barrel in 2002 to $27.25 per barrel in 2003 and then declines to $23.30 per barrel in
2005. It then rises slowly to $27.00 per barrel in 2025. Between 2002 and 2025, real world oil
prices increase at an average rate of 0.6% per year in the forecast.
Check Your Understanding (page 118)

1 a) Carbon monoxide and carbon

b) Combustion of a fuel becomes less complete as the number of carbon atoms in the
hydrocarbon molecules increases.

2 a) Endothermic reaction

b) Exothermic reaction

c) Endothermic reaction

d) Exothermic reaction

Discussion (page 121)

1 a) Dialling the telephone may tigger off a spark. The spark may ignite the town
gas,
leading to an explosion.

b) Any naked flames may ignite the town gas, leading to an explosion.

2 Carbon monoxide is produced when running a car engine in an enclosed area.

Discussion (page 124)

a) pH 4

b) B is probably the best site because

• the rainwater there is not very acidic;

 • it is close to the pier and this facilitates the transportation;

• the prevailing wind would not blow the air pollutants from the industrial sites to
the farm;

• it is close to the residential area where labour is readily available;

• it is close to the residential area and the demand for the wheat should be great.

Internet Search and Presentation (page 125)

The greenhouse effect and global warming

Carbon dioxide and global warming

Since the industrial revolution, the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has
increased significantly. This has contributed to the enhanced greenhouse effect known as
‘global warming’.

The CO2 concentration in the atmosphere is currently about 370 parts per million
(ppm) - an increase of more than 30% since 1750.

Carbon dioxide emissions are unevenly distributed between countries. In general,

industrialized countries are responsible for the majority of the emissions.

Climate change during the 20th century

Many observations indicate that the world’s climate has changed during the 20th
century:

• the average surface temperature has increased by about 0.6 。;

• snow cover and ice extent have decreased;

• the sea level has risen by 10 to 20 cm;

• some other important changes include precipitation, cloud cover and extreme
temperatures.
 Consequences of climate change

• Regional changes in climate, particularly increases in temperature, have already

affected
some physical and biological systems.

• Some extreme weather events and the damage, hardship and death they cause are
projected
to increase with global warming.

• Man will have to adapt to and cope with the climate change consequences.

• Economic losses can be expected, especially in poorest regions.

It is not possible to link any particular event definitively to global warming. However, as the
world warms, more extreme events are expected, such as heat waves, heavy precipitation,
blizzards and droughts.

Actions of scientists and various countries

Scientists began to attract policy-makers’ attention to global warming as an emerging global

threat in early 1970s. It took a further 20 years of continuous effect by scientists, international
organizations and several governments to get the international community to agree to
coordinated action to address climate change.

A diplomatic breakthrough came at the 1988 Toronto Conference on the Changing

Atmosphere from which emerged a recommendation calling on developed nations to reduce
CO2 emission by 20% from 1988 levels by 2005.
 The statement suggesting that there is a human influence on global climate provided the
basis for the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in
1997. The protocol contains greenhouse gas reduction targets for most industrialized countries.
Overall, industrialized countries are required to reduce their aggregated emissions to at least
5% below the 1990 level in the period 2008 - 12.

The cost estimates for industrialized countries to implement the Kyoto Protocol range
between 0.1 - 2% of GDP in 2010. In view of this anticipated economic losses, some
industrialized nations, including the US, have prejudiced the Kyoto commitments.

However, in a conference held in 2001, countries (except the US) successfully completed
negotiations aimed at setting the details for commitments on reducing greenhouse gases
emissions.

Meeting the Kyoto targets will be just a first step in coping with the problem of climate
change. Even if, in the long term, a stabilization of greenhouse gases concentrations is
achieved, warming will continue for several decades.

Discussion (page 127)

1 Possible consequences:

• one in 20 chance of a dramatic rise in world sea levels over the next century;

• changes in ocean currents could also have untold consequences on weather patterns;

• flooding on a potentially vast scale;

• low-lying countries such as Bangladesh could lose 17% of its land area and as much as
half of its farmland if sea levels rose by one meter;

• small island nations could be completely swamped.

2 Industry

• compare and choose production technologies which use minimum electricity, fuel
and
solvents.

Government

• set up monitoring stations to monitor concentrations of air pollutants;

 • require car owners to install catalytic converters;

• control pollution from motor vehicles through fuel and emission controls;

• require drivers to pay charges for using busy roads;

• require drivers to drive on alternative days;

• make sure that possible environmental problems are considered during the
planning of
future developments.

Discussion (page 131)

On the road

• make maximum use of mass public transport;

• keep your car engine properly tuned;

• switch off engine while waiting.

At home

• switch off domestic appliances when not required;

• use energy efficient domestic appliances.

Social issues

From 2001 to 2002, Friends of the Earth conducted wind resource assessments on
Lamma and Po Toi islands. It has drawn up wind maps showing that Hong Kong has rich
potential to develop wind energy. In a recent research by the same organization, it shows that if
there is 5% renewable energy in the energy mix of Hong Kong, there will be a reduction of 8
150 tonnes of sulphur dioxide, 7 150 tonnes of nitrogen oxides and 440 tonnes of particulates.
As a result of that, 200 deaths and 2 102 hospital admissions of heart or respiratory diseases
can be avoided each year. All we need is a will to change and Hong Kong citizens may play a
part in the issue.

Suggested answers to exercise

 1 • When using gas burners in kitchens and bathrooms, open windows and doors
to ensure
good ventilation.

• The rubber hose connecting the gas burner and gas tap should be checked regularly
by
a qualified technician.

• Place gas cookers away from windows so that wind cannot blow out the flame to
cause
gas leakage. Also, place cookers away from flammable goods (e.g. window curtains).

• Do not leave your house while a gas cooker is being used.

2 a) When the supply of oxygen is insufficient, LPG burns incompletely. One of the
products
is carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a very poisonous gas. In very small amounts,
it causes headaches and dizziness. In larger amounts, it will kill us.

b) Pressing the electric bell may trigger off a spark. The spark may ignite the
town gas,
leading to an explosion.

3 a) Air pollutants such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide react with
rainwater to form
acids that lower the pH value of rainwater. This gives rise to acid rain.

b) i) It can cause lakes to become too acidic. This harmful to water lives and
even kills
them.

ii) Acid rain can cause damage to trees in forests.

iii) Acid rain also damages stonework or buildings. It corrodes and

wears away the
stonework or buildings.

4
 5
Air pollutant Harmful effect
Carbon monoxide • In every small amounts, it causes headaches and dizziness Any
• In larger amounts, it will kill us one
Unburnt • Some hydrocarbons may cause cancer
hydrocarbons
Dark smoke • Irritate respiratory system

• Reduce visibility Any one

Oxides of nitrogen • Irritate and attack respiratory system and lung
• Dissolve in rainwater to form acid rain Any one
• Give photochemical smog with unburnt hydrocarbons
Sulphur dioxide • Irritate respiratory system and lung
• Affect function of lungs
• In high concentration may causes cancer and death Any one
• Dissolves in rainwater to form acid rain

6 D

7 C

8 B

9 A
 10 D

11 C

12 A (3) Acid rain does not contribute to the greenhouse effect.

13 A

14 B

15 B (1) A catalytic converter is not for reducing lead compounds. Lead compounds
stop
these catalysts working. Therefore cars fitted with catalytic converters must run on
unleaded petrol.
(3) An electrostatic precipitator is used to remove particulates in dirty
gases.

16 ?
17 -
18 a) Oxides of nitrogen react with carbon monoxide as they pass through the
catalyst. Nitrogen and carbon dioxide are formed.
catalyst
2CO(g) + 2NO(g) N2(g) + 2CO2(g)

The excess carbon monoxide and unburnt hydrocarbons are mixed

with air through an inlet in the converter. These gases are oxidized to water and carbon dioxide.
catalyst
2CO(g) + O2(g) 2CO2(g)
catalyst
2C8H18(l) + 25O2(g) 16CO2(g) + 18H2O(l)
octane

b) Lead compounds stop these catalysts working.

19 -