Fossil Fuels Resource Use Cycle I. Resource Use Cycle Formation and Concentration Recycle Location and Identification Disposal Mining and Refining Production and Use 1
II. Coal Formation and Concentration Millions of years ago, layers of dead plants at the bottom of swamps were covered by layers of water and dirt. The heat and pressure from the top layers helped the plant remains turn into coal. II. Coal Location and Identification Involves geochemical and geophysical surveys of an area, followed by exploration drilling. 1/8th of the US lies over coal beds. 2
II. Coal Mining and Refining In surface mining, giant machines remove the top-soil rock to expose coal. After mining, the dirt and rock are returned to the pit and the area is replanted. In underground mining, miners ride elevators down deep mine shafts where machines dig out the coal. II. Coal Production and Use Most coal is transported by train. Coal is used to generate almost half of all electricity produced in the United States. Separated ingredients of coal are used in making plastics, tar, synthetic fibers, fertilizers, and medicines. 3
II. Coal Advantages of Energy Use Plentiful in US. High energy content. Relatively inexpensive. Disadvantages of Energy Use Nonrenewable resource. Coal emissions are linked to global warming, acid rain, smog, and mercury contamination of water. Underground mining can be dangerous. Strip mining destroys large areas of the landscape. III. Oil Formation and Concentration Dead organic material accumulates on the bottom of oceans, riverbeds or swamps. Sediment piles on top and the resulting heat and pressure transforms it into a dark and waxy substance. Depending on how liquid or gaseous this mixture is, it will turn into either oil or natural gas. After formation, it migrates into porous rock, until it becomes trapped between impermeable layers. 4
III. Oil Location and Identification Surface rocks and terrain are studied to determine if oil is present underground. Shock waves are sent through the water or land. The length of time it takes for the waves to reflect back to a sensor can predict if the underground rocks contain oil. III. Oil Mining and Refining Oil refining separates crude oil into useful substances. At refineries, oil is separated into fractions on the basis of different boiling points for different substances. 5
III. Oil Production and Use Oil is transported by ship, barge, truck, rail and pipeline. The oil transport system is global, including super tankers and continent crossing pipelines. Crude oil can be refined into gasoline, alcohols, waxes, kerosine, lubricants, asphalt, additives, plastic, oils and more. III. Oil Production and Use 6
III. Oil Advantages of Energy Use The most abundant and versatile energy resource. Liquid form makes it easy to transport and use. High energy content. Relatively inexpensive. Disadvantages of Energy Use Non-renewable resource. Oil emissions are linked to global warming and acid rain. Oil drilling endangers the environment. Oil transportation can lead to spills, causing environmental and ecological damage. Dependence on foreign sources. IV. Natural Gas Formation and Concentration Natural gas is a byproduct of the formation of oil. Oil and natural gas are found in similar areas. Location and Identification Natural gas is located and identified in a similar fashion to oil. Mining and Refining Natural gas is transported through pipelines to a processing plant where it is purified and stored for use. 7
IV. Natural Gas Production and Use Used for heating and cooking in residential and commercial buildings. Used to create electricity. IV. Natural Gas Advantages of Energy Use Burns clean and produces practically no harmful by-products. High energy content. Relatively inexpensive. Disadvantages of Energy Use Non-renewable resource. Combustibility. Toxic at high volumes. 8