Chem Project(1)

Name: Cheung Ka Hang, Kevin (6), Leung Ka Ho, Tommy (27)

Chemistry Project (essay)

--FOSSIL FEUL

Energy is essential for us. We often use electricity in our daily life that spends lots of fuel. Turning on lights and driving cars are the ones that we always do. Fossil fuels are energy-rich substances and most energy is produced by burning fossil fuels. However, there are many potential problems of fossil fuel, we need to solve rapidly. For instance, 1. Fossil Fuels are FINITE! - They are in LIMITED SUPPLY 2. They are UNEVENLY DISTRIBUTED throughout the world - Some places have them, others do not 3. There are many pollutants produced while burning the fossil fuels. Despite the importance of fossil fuels are very practical, they will be used up in the future, therefore, we need to look for alternative energy source for fossil fuel. To start with, the main sources of the fossil fuels include oil, nature gas and coal. Oil and Natural gas --formed gradually from having died animals for a long time. The layer of the animals will deposit under by the crustal movement. Finally, oil will be formed and the natural will formed above the oil. Coal --formed gradually after the plants dying for from one million to 4 billions years ago. The plants grew in swamps. After dying, they would form a layer which mixes with the minerals under the swamps. It is called peat which is pressured because of the crustal movement. Finally, they would become difference types of coal depending on the pressured time. For example: lignite and anthracite.

Shortage problem 1. The price of the oil will increase sharply. It will affect the economic of the world. 2. Lots of work cannot be continued such as driving cars, industry production, etc. 3. The electricity supply will be affected. Crisis in 70's As there is conflicts between Arab countries and western countries. Instantly, the United States allied with Israel, against the Arab forces in Palestine. Arab forces united against Israel, and the Soviet Union helped the Arabs with technology and weapons. Egypt and Syria wanted to reconquer the lost regions from the Six-Day War, so they attacked Israel surprise. Because of the support by western countries, Israel could beat off Egypt and Syria. On the 22nd of October 1973 an armistice came into force with the help of the United Nations. The Arabs responded in 1973 with a revolt against Western powers. Therefore, the crisis began. The OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) cartel led to rising gas prices in early 1970's. The embargo lasted six months until 18th March 1974; the Arab countries did not export oil any longer to countries which helped Israel. Effects of the Crisis 1 U.S. attitudes toward the sources of energy changed drastically 2 National Energy Act was passed in 1978, including conservation incentives and taxes, and limits for the use of oil and gas in electrical generation 3 Gas stations shut down because of shortages--the industries needed to stop producing. There are unwrought electricity to supply. 4 Prices for gas rose significantly, longer lines appeared at the filling stations, and fear of OPEC's control over the economy grew quickly.

Pollution problem of fossil fuel Today, fossil fuel is used to generate energy. While burning fossil fuel, lots of carbon dioxide will be released. This carbon dioxide will drift on the atmosphere. It can traps light energy and will cause global warming and further change the climate. Changing the climate, the whole ecosystem will be affected. Many fuels contain sulphur, especially coal so sulphur dioxide, which will cause acid rain, is produced during burning it. Also, nitrogen oxides or dioxide will cause acid rain. Besides, incinerators of power stations will release hydrocarbons which cause photochemical smog and suspended particulates which will irritate the human respiratory system. It is too harmful to human to burn fossil fuel for energy.

Alternative power sources for fossil fuel There is lots of alternative power sources e.g. Wind energy, solar energy, biomass energy, nuclear power and hydro-power. Wind energy is one of the best and cost-effective renewable resources; it is the process where the wind is used to generate electricity. Wind turbines change the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power. This mechanical power can be used for specific things or a generator can turn this mechanical power into electricity. Pros and cons--in spite of being a clean source, wind energy can only generate electricity at about 12 mph and also wind can't be predicted. Furthermore wind energy is available for electricity only locations where the average wind speeds are great enough to drive the wind turbines. Solar energy is also a clean and renewable resource. It relies on the photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electric energy. Pros and cons--the solar energy can use in the places with a lot of sunlight. In addition, solar power is so expensive because of the silicon used in photovoltaic cells. It is pricey. However, it is long term and helps save money. The positioning of buildings in certain positions might help to use solar energy to our advantage being that there would be no use of electricity and more use of the sun.

Nuclear Power is a controversial energy source. It is inexpensive and creates no air pollution, but during accidents, the radioactivity released at nuclear power plants has caused deaths and environmental damage. There are at least 400 nuclear power plants around the world. A reactor produces and controls the release of energy from atoms by splitting the atomic nuclei. The energy in the nuclear power reactor is released to generate electricity. Pros and cons-- there have been an astonishing accident in the history of civil nuclear power. The accident happened in the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine. In April 26, 1986, as the 4th reactor was overheating, it exploded and produced large radioactive fallouts drifted over the majority of Europe. It caused not only 31 people die, but also affected more than 5 millions people who evacuated or suffered from the diseases lead by radiation. Therefore, there are potential hazards during generating energy by nuclear power plants. On the other hands, it can provide enough energy for the world in the future.

Hydro-power is the falling water run through a turbine which converts the water's energy into mechanical power. The spinning of the water turbines is transferred to a generator which produces electricity. Pros and cons-- hydro power is the cheapest source. Also, there’s no pollutants produced. Besides, hydro electric plants require reservoirs. Reservoirs are created by damming streams and rivers in specific areas such as canyons and small valleys. This causes environmental damage and affects the eco-system.

Biomass energy is a fuel from any recently living organism which can be generated from any sort of vegetation-- trees, grasses, and land and ocean plants. Biomass has very high energy content and can come from construction waste, yard trimmings, mill wastes, logging and forest residues, agricultural residues, some kinds of municipal waste, and crops called energy crops that are grown specifically to provide energy. For instance, sugarcane is used to ferment alcohol for driving fuel in Brazil. The remnants of used sugarcane can also be used to generate energy. Comparison with alcohol and oil shows that alcohol is cheaper and better than oil for driving because alcohol for driving releases fewer pollutants. Pros and cons-

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Ensure soil stability and health along with minimizing chemical residues and habitat destruction. Using methane from producers such as cows or rice fields and applying it for fuel will significantly reduce the greenhouse gas. Use of waste from agriculture and timber industries. 350 million tons of waste that goes to landfills could be used for energy production. No net increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide.

It is better to use biomass energy. However, it needs an amount of biomass to generate energy.

The Future of Power can be viewed in many ways as well as derived from many different resources. As far as we know, there are several forms of energy, which we can identify and use. But due to the decrease in amount of fossil fuel, the future will rely mainly on renewable sources. There are many questions we would have when deciding what the future of power will be. There are also many questions to be asked for future generations.