By Cara Mosso Bell 2 January 15, 2015. Miner in China, where coal is very important

By Cara MossoBell 2

April 11, 2023

Miner in China, where coal is very important.

Explanation and Usages of Coal

Coal comes from:North Eastern

PennsylvaniaWest Virginia KentuckyWyomingTexas North DakotaMontana

Main usages of Coal:ElectricityExportsIndustries

Types of Coal:Sub bituminousBituminousLigniteAnthracite

Process of CoalFirst, giant machines

dig out the coal. There are two ways to do this:Surface Mining

Machines remove the top layer of soil exposing coal less than 200 ft. under ground.

Underground Mining Miners ride elevators

several hundreds of feet under, then run machines down these elevators to get the coal.

Next coal is taken to a plant that cleans the coal and removes the impurities.

Finally a power plant makes the electricity.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Coal

Advantages Disadvantages

Plenty still remains in the world.

Can be easily transportedCheapIs the most plentiful

energy sourceLiquefied or gasified, coal

burns cleaner.Inexpensive=lower

energy bills

Mines are dangerous and an eyesore.

Causes pollutionCoal releases the most

greenhouse gases.It’s non-renewable.Breathing in the dust can

cause a lot of harm to miners.

Contributes to acid rainReleases a lot of carbon

dioxide. Example of it’s harm:http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/80623061/

Coal FormationCoal is a fossil fuel meaning it comes from the decomposed remains of plants and animals from millions of years ago.

This is a deepwater platform in Louisiana, called Horizon, after it exploded in April 2010 it left most of the 126 workers escaped but 11 were left missing.

Explanation and Usages of Oil

Oil comes from:RussiaSaudi ArabiaIranChinaUnited States

Texas Alaska California North Dakota Louisiana

Oil is used for:InkCrayonsBubble GumDishwashing liquidDeodorantEyeglassesCDs & DVDsTiresAmmoniaHeart valves

Process of Oil First Petroleum is

separated into “fractions” those are:Light on topHeavy on bottom

Then, molecules are cracked and rearranged to add value and create more energy.

To make gas different streams of Petroleum are carefully combined.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Oil


Found in lots of placesTransportable through

pipes, ships, or tankersMore drilling would mean

more oil is made in the U.S. resulting in less importation.

By drilling more, oil and gas prices will decrease

Opening restricted drilling areas will make billions in government money.

Oil spills cause environmental damage.

It’s non-renewable.Adds to global warmingPrices increase as

supplies run out.Workers are in danger as

oil rigs can explode from something as simple as bad weather.

Opening more oil rigs will increase global warming.

Environmental Damage of the 2010 Oil Spill in the Gulf of MexicoThis pictures shows a bird and its surroundings entirely covered in the oil from this terrible spill. These spills cause animal’s, from the rig’s surrounding habitat, death. That is probably the fate of this bird.

This is a burner of a gas powered stove.

Explanation and Usages of Natural Gas

Natural Gas comes from: Texas California Louisiana New York Illinois Florida Canada

Types: Gas Methane Butane Propane

Natural Gas is used for: Steel Glass Paper Clothing Bricks Electricity Paints Fertilizer Plastics Antifreeze Dyes Photographic Film Medicines Explosives Industries as:

Electric Industrial Residential Commercial

Essential for many common products

Process of Natural GasFirst, scientists take

samples of rocks.Next they study the

rocks if they look promising (meaning it’s likely to find gas) drilling starts.

After gases are extracted it is taken to a processing plant where by-products are separated out.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Natural Gas


Found in lots of placesTransports in pipes,

ships, or tankerDoesn’t pollute water or

ground when it’s burned.Natural gas can come in

small tanks for those without pipes

Non-renewableAdds to global warmingPrices increase as

supplies run outWorkers are in danger of

explosionsMiles per gallon is lower

in cars and trucks with natural gas.

Can cause firesIf your home isn’t

properly insulated it can be expensive to use natural gas.

Molecule of Natural GasThis picture is as the title says it is, simply a molecule of natural gas.

Video of what to do if Natural Gas is smelt: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6854596n

Propane tanks at Heintz’s Propane.

Explanation and Usages of Propane

Propane can be found in:TexasCaliforniaLouisianaNew YorkIllinoisFloridaCanada

In the United States less than 2% of all energy used is made with propane’s energy.

Propane is used for:Heating homesHeating waterCooking &

Refrigerating foodDrying clothesFueling gasFireplacesBarbeque grillsFarmingTransportationHot-air balloons

Process of Propane

When natural gas is found and separated propane is a by-product of it.

Finally, it is made into usable energy.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Propane


Safe to use indoorsCheapUsable in many pressure

and temperature rangesLong history of safe useEasily transportableLittle greenhouse gas

emissionsEasy to replaceIf spilled the gas goes

into the air so there is no ground contamination.

Can blow upMore expensive than

most resourcesResponsible for fires in

boats and housesWon’t work in very cold

weatherCanisters are not

refillableHard to find in some

areas of the country and/or world

Hot-Air BalloonsThose colorful balloons with baskets at the end, guess what! Those are powered by the one and only propane!

Power plants to be built in the UK instead of older ones.

Explanation and Usages of Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy comes from:Western United StatesAustraliaCanadaAfricaSouth America

The 2 types of Nuclear Energy reactors are:Boiling Water ReactorPressurized Water

Reactor

Nuclear Energy is used for : Electricity

20% of energy used in the United States is made using Nuclear Power.

Process of Nuclear Energy

First, atoms are split into smaller atoms, a process called fission.

Next, the fission creates heat that is used to boil water.

Then, the boiling water creates steam that turns turbine blades.

Finally, the blades drive generators that make the electricity.

Video of Fission: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5778573504148801683#

Advantages and Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy


No greenhouse gases A little makes A LOT of

energyThe energy obtained from

nuclear power is 10 million times more powerful than the energy that would be made in the same amount of coal.

Reliable Is unaffected by strikes

and worldwide shortages.

The waste is radioactive and harmful, thus having to be disposed of carefully.

Supplies will run out in 50 years

Power stations are at risk of being attacked

If it is needed, it takes days to shut down a power plant.

In a nuclear meltdown high dosages of radioactivity is exposed.

Nuclear Power Plant on Three Mile IslandIn 1979 a nuclear power plant on Three Mile Island, off of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania,had a mechanical failure in which the city was at risk of being exposed to radioactive material, that could cause the cities inhabitants to experience worse cancer. Luckily the issue was not that bad and no cancer caused by this could be traced.

Offshore wind turbines.

Explanation and Usages of Wind Energy

Wind energy is generated in:United States

Texas Iowa California Minnesota Washington

Europe1.8% of energy

generated in the U.S. is made with wind energy.

Wind energy is used for:Electricity

The two types of Wind machines are:Horizontal axis wind

machinesVertical axis wind

machines

Process of Wind EnergyFirst, wind turbine’s

blades collect wind’s kinetic energy.

Next, the wind over the blades creates “lift” making the turbines turn.

Finally, the blades, that are connected to a drive shaft, turn a generator to make electricity.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Wind


Only cost is in building turbine (wind is free)

No greenhouse gases Few safety risks Cheap Efficient Renewable Power failures are almost

nonexistent With larger electric grids more

electricity can be created making electricity accessible to more households

Wind power can only be generated in windy areas.

Some days, there isn’t wind.Need a lot of turbines to

make a lot of energySome people say they are

ugly and ruin the countrysideWind turbines can be

destroyed by severe storms or lightening

Makes noise (the slower the more noise)

Where Wind Is Most OftenThis chart shows the areas where wind is densest. The darker the blue the more wind there is in that area. Wind turbines would be most effective in the darkest areas.

Solar Panels with sun beating down on them.

Explanation and Usages of Solar Energy

Solar Energy can be found in:Europe CaliforniaAnywhere with

sunshine

Solar energy is used for:Heat

Heat water Heat spaces in homes Greenhouses

Electricity

Process of Solar EnergyFirst, Photovoltaic

cells change sunlight to electricity, directly.

Or, in Concentrating solar power plants, they generate electricity by first, taking in the sun’s heat.

Next, they use the heat to warm a fluid.

Finally, it creates steam that powers a generator, creating electricity.

How it works video: http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/environment/energy-environment/solar-power.html

Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar


Energy is freeNo greenhouse gasesRenewableEnergy production is quietYou can harness energy in

remote places.Cheaper to use in remote

places than running electric wires

Newer technologies allow for more efficient energy production on overcast days.

ExpensiveSome don’t like solar

panels look.Sun is not always

prevalentPollutants can effect the

efficiency of panels.Solar energy can only be

generated in daylight.Weather affects solar

panels efficiency.

New Ways to Make Solar PanelsThis pictures show a “solar energy tree”. This tree shown is in Milan. The circles on top of the green stalks are the panels.

This is a hydroelectric power station.

Explanation and Usages of Hydroelectric Energy

Hydroelectric Energy is popularly produced in:WashingtonCaliforniaOregon

6% of energy produced in the United States is made hydroelectrically.

The types of Hydroelectric systems are:Run-of-the-river

system The current applies

the needed pressureStorage system

Water is accumulated, then the needed amount is released for energy making.

Process of Hydroelectric Energy

First, water runs through a pipe and pushes and turns a turbine.

Finally, a turbine spins a generator making electricity.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Hydroelectric EnergyAdvantages Disadvantages

No greenhouse gasesWater used is freeRenewableDams can store water (in

the case of a drought)If needed, dams can be

shut down immediately.Simple designs=easy

repairs

Expensive to build damWhen building a dam the

surrounding area has to be flooded. (wildlife and plants affected)

If it doesn’t rain there might not be enough water to turn the turbines.

A Hydroelectric Dam in the U.S.This is the Grand Coulee Dam, it’s on the Columbia River, in central Washington. This dam holds the worlds largest hydroelectric generator.

This is a geothermal power plant.

Explanation and Usages of Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy can be found in:The ring of fire in

Northern AmericaSouth AmericaAsiaThe Pacific coast of AustraliaIceland

Geothermal energy is used for:Heating systemsElectricityHeat pumps

Heat is pumped to the surface of earth to control above ground temperatures in buildings

The types of geothermal plants are:Dry steam plantsFlash steam plantsBinary cycle power plants

Process of Geothermal Energy

First, hot steam and water is piped out of the earth.

Finally, the hot steam and water is in a dry steam well or water well and from there is used for each different purpose.

Geothermal power plant (into electricity): http://www.viddler.com/explore/azrider439/videos/5/

Advantages and Disadvantages of Geothermal Energy


No greenhouse gasesEnergy is fire and won’t run

outGeothermal energy reduces

acid rain 97%RenewablePower plants don’t have to

be largeAfter establishing a site for

a plant, minimal “channels” are needed to channel it. Therefore it is…

Efficient

Not many places to build power stations

Harmful gases and minerals occasionally come up, which can be difficult to control.

Proper sites for plants are not common

Sites are usually in areas where there are volcanoes or earthquakes so investors don’t want to invest their money.

Where the Energy Comes FromHeat from earth’s hot interior is actually harnessed for this energy. From earth’s hottest places, like the mantle.

This is a wood-fired power plant.

Explanation and Usages of Biomass

Biomass can be found in:CaliforniaMichiganIllinois

4% of the energy used in the United States is made with Biomass Energy.

Biomass is used for:BiodieselIndustryElectricityCommercial

The types of Biomass are:WoodSolid waste (MSW) Crops

Process of Biomass Energy

First, biomass materials are burned to make steam.

Then, the steam turns turbines in a generator. Finally, this process makes the electricity.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Biomass


Cheap It uses things we would

otherwise throw away.Waste can be found

everywhere and doesn’t run out.

Doesn’t require fossil fuelsWaste needed is always

accessible Biomass can be used to

heat homesCan be produced locally

(employing locals)

There are pollutants from burning

Sometimes biomass crops are grown where we could grow food

May not have enough space to grow biomass fuel

Extraction process is expensive

Biomass burning still needs wood, which means trees will still be needed.

Current Use For Trash Currently our trash is mostly put in landfills, secondly recycled, and finally burned. With biomass we could reduce landfills by burning the waste instead.

Bibliography Energy Story, http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/story/chapter08.html, November 4, 2010. Energy and the Environment; Advantages and Disadvantages,

http://www.childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk/interactives/science/energy/discovermore/advantages.pdf , November 4, 2010.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of propane gas?, http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_advantages_and_disadvantages_of_propane_gas#ixzz16amt9yW2, November 6, 2010.

Advantages and disadvantages of Propane for the Outdoorsman, http://www.epinions.com/content_4659912836, November 6, 2010.

Pros and Cons, http://drake.marin.k12.ca.us/stuwork/rockwater/Upload%20this%20doc--dams%20and%20hydropower%20report/pros%20and%20cons.html, November 6, 2010.

Wind Energy Pros And Cons, http://www.buzzle.com/articles/wind-energy-pros-and-cons.html, November 6, 2010.

Geothermal Energy Pros And Cons, http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/geothermal-energy-pros-and-cons-8094.html, November 6, 2010.

Pros And Cons of Solar Energy, http://www.clean-energy-ideas.com/articles/pros_and_cons_of_solar_energy.html, November 6, 2010.

Biomass Energy Pros and Cons, http://www.keyframe5.com/biomass-energy-pros-and- cons/ , November 6, 2010.

Pros and Cons of Offshore Drilling, http://www.ehow.com/facts_5019434_pros-cons-offshore-oil-drilling.html, November 6, 2010.

Nuclear Energy Pros and Cons, http://www.buzzle.com/ARTICLES/NUCLEAR-ENERGY-PROS- AND-CONS.HTML, November 6, 2010.

Bibliography (Continued) Coal Basics, http://www.eia.doe.gov/KIDS/ENERGY.CFM?PAGE=COAL_HOME-

BASICS, November 6, 2010. Natural Gas Basics, http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/KIDS/ENERGY.CFM?

PAGE=NATURAL_GAS_HOME-BASICS, November 6, 2010. Propane Basics, http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/KIDS/ENERGY.CFM?

PAGE=PROPANE_HOME- BASICS, November 6, 2010. Wind Basics, http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/KIDS/ENERGY.CFM?PAGE=WIND_HOME-

BASICS- K.CFM, November 6, 2010. Solar Basics, http://www.eia.doe.gov/KIDS/ENERGY.CFM?PAGE=SOLAR_HOME-

BASICS- K.CFM, November 6, 2010. Hydropower Basics, http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/KIDS/ENERGY.CFM?

PAGE=HYDROPOWER_HOME-BASICS , November 6, 2010. Geothermal Basics, http://www.eia.doe.gov/KIDS/ENERGY.CFM?

PAGE=GEOTHERMAL_HOME-BASICS , November 6, 2010. Biomass Basics, http://www.eia.doe.gov/KIDS/ENERGY.CFM?

PAGE=BIOMASS_HOME- BASICS-K.CFM , November 6, 2010. Uranium (nuclear) Basics, http://www.eia.doe.gov/KIDS/ENERGY.CFM?

PAGE=NUCLEAR_HOME-BASICS , November 6, 2010.

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By Cara Mosso Bell 2 January 15, 2015. Miner in China, where coal is very important