APES1. Turn in Pro/Con List
Synfuels
= Synthetic fuelsProduced from coal, natural gas, or biomass feedstock through chemical conversion
Synfuels
Chemically the same as crude oil or processed fuels, but were synthesized artificially.
Synfuels
• Used to replace oil/natural gas• Derived from natural sources
(like fossil fuels)• More expensive than fossil fuels• Production requires mining 50%
more coal (which adds 50% to atm)
• Intense Chemical & Physical Changes
3 Most Popular Types of Synfuels
1. Extra Heavy oil2. Oil Sands3. Oil Shale
Extra Heavy Oil
Cannot easily flow to production wells under normal reservoir conditions
– Higher viscosity– Higher specific gravity– Heavier molecular composition
Extra Heavy Oil
Forms when oil that was once buried deep is exposed to bacteria that break down hydrocarbons and changes oil’s physical properties.
Extra Heavy Oil
• Less viscous than bitumen at reservoir temp. & pressure.
• Some degree mobility
Heavy Oil from Tar Sand
Tar Sand or Oil Sand – mixture of clay, sand, water, and bitumen (oil)
Bitumen = thick, sticky, tarlike heavy oil with high sulfur content
Heavy Oil from Tar Sand
Can be surface mined, but must be heated to separateMust be refined before use (like oil)
Heavy Oil from Tar Sand
HIGH impact on land, air, water, wildlife, & climate
Strip Mining for Tar Sands in Alberta*
Fig. 15-8, p. 378
Heavy Oil from Tar Sand
Energy input (burning natural gas) net energy
Least efficient, dirtiest, and HIGH environmental impact
Heavy Oil from Shale
• Rocks containing kerogen (insoluble bitumen)
• Kerogen – mixture of hydrocarbons converts to crude oil when exposed to extreme heat & pressure.
Oil Shale Rock and the Shale Oil Extracted from It
Fig. 15-9, p. 379
Oil from Shale
• Sedimentary rocks are crushed & heated
• Kerogen extracted & refined
• VERY $$$$$$• Abundant
Heavy Oil from Shale
net energy, environmental impact water use (5 barrels H20/1 barrel oil) CO2 than oil (27 – 52%)
Trade-Offs: Heavy Oils from Oil Shale and Oil Sand
Fig. 15-10, p. 379
OTHER
• Gas Hydrates aka Methane Hydrates– Ice encrusted natural gas found
deep underground in permafrost or beneath ocean floor at depths reater than 1,640 feet
– VERY $$$$$
OTHER
• Coal Liquefaction– Liquid made from coal but is less
polluting (sulfur)– VERY $$$$$$
Other
• Coal Gasification (Synthetic Natural Gas – SNG)– Production of methane from coal– Burns similar to natural gas– Scrubbers not needed, but VERY $$
$$
Problems with Synfuels
• CO2 emissions, global warming• Cannot be used in areas with
water problems because of huge volumes needed to create/process, refine
• Land disturbance and degradation associated with mining and extraction
US Energy Strategy
ENERGY is needed to maintain our lifestyles
US is world’s largest energy user – we use more energy than China, Russia, Japan, and Germany COMBINED! YIKES!
US = China + Russia + Japan + Germany
US Energy Strategy
US Energy Strategy
1. Limited fossil fuel supply2. Pollution from burning of fossil
fuels is increasing3. Foreign dependence on oil
makes us vulnerable
WHAT SHOULD WE DO!?
WHAT SHOULD WE DO?!
Obvious Answer: Shift to alternative sources.
Is that easy?
WHAT SHOULD WE DO?!
Decisions/Actions have to be taken by government to: 1. Promote alternatives ensuring
subsidies/tax breaks.2. Remove traditional
subsidies/tax breaks for fossil fuels
Bush Administration Actions
1. Denied US participation in Kyoto Protocol to reduce CO2 emissions based on unequal financial burden on developed countries
2. Proposed $2 billion government subsidy program for “cleaner coal” technology
3. Supported Clean Air Act exceptions for older pollutinc coal burning power plants already existing/producing
Obama Administration Actions...
Much of the same