Introduction to Energy and the Environment
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Questions and Answers

The Oxford dictionary defines environment as the set of circumstances or conditions in which a person or community lives, works, develops, etc, or a thing exists or operates; the external conditions affecting the life of a plant or animal.

True (A)

Which of the following is an adverse effect of human activities on the natural environment?

  • Air and water pollution
  • Land degradation by the by-products of industrial activity
  • Permanent loss of natural species of plants and animals
  • All of the above (correct)

    • What does the first law of thermodynamics state?

  • Energy cannot be destroyed, but can be transformed from one form to another. (correct)
  • Energy can be destroyed but not transformed.
  • Energy is always lost during transformation.
  • Energy can be created and destroyed at will.

    • What is a key difference between direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) systems in electric power transmission?

    <p>In a DC system the electric current in each wire flows in one direction only, while in an AC system the currents in each wire reverse direction every half-cycle.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the common form of storing energy for use in electric utility systems?

    <p>Mechanical energy storage (pumped hydropower) (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the condenser in a power plant?

    <p>To eliminate heat from the working fluid (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name 3 major components of a fossil fueled power plant.

    <p>Fuel storage and preparation, burner, and boiler.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of excess air is required for pulverized coal combustion?

    <p>15 - 20% (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Solar energy collector orientation and placement doens't needed to be considered.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Thermal storage systems store ______ for cloudy hours

    <p>heat</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following component in a solar energy plant receives solar says and collects the energy?

    <p>Solar collector or concentrator (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is used to transport thermal energy from the collector and solar PV systems?

    <p>All the above (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a disadvantage of using flat plate collectors?

    <p>Large heat losses by conduction and radiation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The efficiency of a collector is not related with solar radiation.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is true of concentrating collectors?

    <p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The most common form of charcoal kiln is what?

    <p>Internally heated (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Approximately how much ethanol can an yeast produce?

    <p>One half (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Give 2 examples forms of biomass that is used for energy.

    <p>Forest reside and wood chips</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is untrue regarding the use of bidoiesel?

    <p>It is not a direct replacement for diesel (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A higher flashpoint would be seen in what.

    <p>Biodiesel (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Fossil Fuels

    Natural fuels formed from decomposed plants and animals over millions of years, used for energy.

    Thermodynamics

    The study of energy transfer and transformation in systems.

    Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics

    If two systems are in thermal equilibrium with a third, they are in equilibrium with each other.

    First Law of Thermodynamics

    Energy can't be created or destroyed, only transformed.

    Total energy change = heat added - work done.

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    Second Law of Thermodynamics

    Energy transformations are not 100% efficient; some energy is lost as heat, increasing entropy.

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    Entropy

    A measure of randomness or disorder in a system, indicating available energy for work.

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    Energy Sources

    Various means of obtaining energy, including fossil, nuclear, and renewable sources.

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    Electric Power Generation

    Process of converting energy (thermal, kinetic) into electrical power, primarily in power plants.

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    Biomass

    Organic material from plants and animals used as fuel, rich in stored energy.

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    Solar Thermal Energy

    Energy harnessed by capturing sunlight to produce heat for energy generation.

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    Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)

    Uses mirrors to focus sunlight to produce high-temperature heat for steam generation.

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    Fuel Ethanol

    Alcohol produced from sugars through fermentation, used as a fuel.

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    Fermentation

    Process where yeast converts sugars into ethanol and carbon dioxide.

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    Hydropower

    Energy derived from water flowing or falling, converted into electricity.

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    Electric Power Transmission

    The process of transporting electricity from power plants to consumers through transmission lines.

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    Nuclear Energy

    Energy released during nuclear fission or fusion reactions, used in power generation.

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    Thermal Sources

    Energy sources generating power through heat, like fossil fuels and solar.

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    Mechanical Energy Storage

    Storing energy by converting it into a mechanical form, e.g., pumped hydro.

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    Direct Combustion

    Burning biomass to release energy directly for heating or power.

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    Gasification

    Process of converting carbonaceous materials into gas (syngas) at high temperatures.

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    Biodiesel

    A renewable fuel made from vegetable oils or animal fats through transesterification.

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    Anaerobic Digestion

    Biological process where microorganisms break down organic matter in absence of oxygen, producing biogas.

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    Biogas

    Gas produced from the breakdown of organic waste, primarily methane.

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    Renewable Energy

    Energy sourced from naturally replenishing resources, like solar and wind.

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    Emissions Control

    Technologies implemented in power plants to reduce air pollutants and environmental impact.

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    Thermal Efficiency

    Ratio of useful energy output to total energy input, indicating energy conversion effectiveness.

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    Energy Transition

    Shift from fossil-based energy systems to renewable energy sources.

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    Climate Change

    Long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place due to human activity.

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    Carbon Footprint

    Total greenhouse gas emissions caused directly or indirectly by an individual, event, organization, or product.

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    Emission Protocols

    International agreements aimed at reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

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    Sustainable Development

    Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising future generations.

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    Study Notes

    Introduction to Energy and the Environment

    • Modern societies consume substantial amounts of fossil fuels and nuclear energy to meet energy demands.
    • This has had a significant negative impact on the environment, including air and water pollution, land degradation, and adverse health effects in human populations.
    • Land use for agriculture is approaching its limit, and intensive land use is needed to provide food for the increasing population.
    • The international community works to limit environmental damage and human health risks.

    Energy, Uses, and Sources

    • Modern societies consume energy for various necessities, including food, clothing, shelter, transportation, communication, lighting, and materials.
    • The First Law of Thermodynamics states that energy cannot be destroyed but can be transformed from one form to another.
    • Fuel combustion causes chemical energy transformation into thermal energy released when fuel and oxygen atoms rearrange in combustion products.

    Economic Sectors and Energy Use

    • Energy use is categorized into four economic sectors: industrial, transportation, commercial, and residential.
    • Fossil fuels (hydropower excluded) are the main global energy sources.
    • Ghana's electricity generation relies heavily on hydro assets but has increasingly incorporated fossil fuels to meet growing demand.
    • Installed capacity in Ghana currently stands at approximately 2,703.5MW, with half from hydropower and the rest from thermal plants.

    Environment

    • The environment encompasses the circumstances and conditions in which a person, community, or ecological community lives, works, develops, etc., or a thing exists or operates.
    • Human activities result in environmental degradation, including air & water pollution, land degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate change.
    • Greenhouse gas emissions from human activities are linked to a changing global climate.

    United Nations Protocols, Treaties, and Conventions on the Environment

    • Various UN protocols and treaties address transboundary air pollution, ozone layer protection, hazardous waste disposal, environmental impact assessment, transboundary watercourses and international lakes, etc.
    • The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is a comprehensive international environmental treaty.

    Thermodynamic Principles of Energy Conversion

    • Thermodynamics is central in studying energy conversion and its related technologies.
    • It provides a framework for predicting energy system performance.
    • The thermodynamic properties of matter characterize energy systems, and energy transformation and transfer are studied.
    • The first law of thermodynamics asserts the conservation of energy.
    • The second law of thermodynamics states that each energy transfer or transformation in a system results in less energy being available to do work.

    Energy Sources and Conversion

    • Energy sources include fossil fuels, nuclear fuels, solar energy, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal energy, among others.
    • Energy forms include heat, mechanical work, and electricity.
    • The Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics provides a foundation for temperature measurement.

    Thermal and Non-Thermal Sources of Energy

    • Thermal sources mainly involve heat, from the sun (solar thermal), burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), geothermal heat, fires, ovens, and biomass (organic waste).
    • Non-thermal sources include light, sound, electrical, mechanical, gravitational, magnetic, and radiation-based energy.

    Storage of Electric Power

    • Electric power must be supplied at the same rate it is used.
    • Electrostatic, magnetic, electrochemical, and mechanical methods are employed for storage.
    • Pumped hydroelectricity is a significant storage method.

    Fossil-Fuel Power Plant Components

    • Fossil-fuel power plants use fossil fuels (e.g., coal, oil, or natural gas) to produce electricity.
    • The processes include fuel storage and preparation, burning, boiling water, turning turbines, and generating electricity with a generator.
    • Coal is pulverized and burned in a combustion chamber, using heat to convert water to steam and turn turbines, generating electricity.
    • Different fuel types require different processes for storage, preparation, and combustion.

    Types of Steam Turbines

    • Types of turbines include impulse turbines, reaction turbines, and gas turbines.
    • Impulse turbines use steam jets to impinge on blades, while reaction turbines use steam expansion to turn the blades.
    • Gas turbines use hot combustion gases instead of steam to directly generate power.

    Solar Energy

    • Solar energy is a valuable, clean, and abundant renewable energy source.
    • It's used for electricity production, heating, and other purposes.
    • Flat-plate and concentrating collectors are the primary methods for harnessing solar thermal energy.
    • Solar energy systems are categorized by the temperature levels they produce.

    Energy Transport Medium

    • Substances such as water/steam, liquid metal, or gas are used to transport thermal energy from a collector to a heat exchanger or thermal storage.
    • In photovoltaic (PV) systems, energy is transported electrically.

    Energy Storage

    • Thermal, battery, and pumped hydro-electric storage methods are used to maintain power supply during periods without solar radiation.

    Energy Conversion Plant

    • Thermal energy generated by solar collectors is used to produce steam, hot water, etc.
    • This thermal energy is fed into steam or gas-thermal power plants to produce electrical energy.
    • Power conditioning, control, and protection systems regulate voltage, current, frequency, and power output.
    • Backup power supplies can be provided by electrical or diesel generators.

    Biomass Energy Resources

    • Biomass, derived from living organisms, is a valuable energy source.
    • It's stored energy and used for diverse purposes, including sustenance, manufacturing materials, medicines, and energy production.
    • Biomass includes plant and animal-based materials.
    • Biomass is directly combusted or converted to biofuels, using thermal, chemical, and biochemical methods.

    Fuel Ethanol Production

    • Ethanol is a type of alcohol produced from sugars by yeast fermentation.
    • It can be used as a fuel or blended with gasoline.
    • Corn is a common feedstock for ethanol production.
    • Two main industrial methods are wet milling and dry grinding to produce ethanol from corn.

    Bioenergy Conversion Technologies

    • Different technologies are available for converting biomass into energy.
    • Traditional domestic uses include cooking, heating, and lighting.
    • Modern industrial uses involve technologically advanced thermal conversion technologies with a range of conversion efficiencies.

    Direct Combustion Processes

    • Direct combustion utilizes materials like wood chips, sawdust, or other feedstocks to generate heat or steam.
    • This method is used in furnaces and boilers for a range of applications.

    Thermochemical Processes

    • Thermochemical techniques include pyrolysis and gasification.
    • Pyrolysis creates gases, oils, and solid char from biomass without burning.
    • Gasification transforms carbonaceous materials into a synthesis gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen, suitable for industrial applications.

    Biochemical Processes

    • Anaerobic fermentation and methane production are biochemical processes utilizing microorganisms to produce biogas or ethanol.
    • Biogas and ethanol are useful for energy production.

    Biodiesel Production

    • Biodiesel is produced from vegetable oils or animal fats using an alcohol catalyst.

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    Description

    This quiz explores the relationship between energy consumption and environmental impact in modern societies. It covers the use of fossil fuels and nuclear energy, as well as the associated health risks and pollution issues. Additionally, it discusses the role of the international community in addressing these challenges.

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