Wednesday 19 February 2014

GCSE chemistry - unit 1 - burning hydrocarbon fuels

Burning Hydrocarbon Fuels

NEEDED FOR: 
  • Transport
  • Electricity
  • Heating
BAD BECAUSE:
  • Sulfur dioxide is created and contributes to acid rain
  • Nitrogen from the air reacts and also causes acid rain
  • Soot are tiny fragments of carbon that reduce the amount of light that reaches earth (GLOBAL DIMMING)
  • When burnt, carbon becomes oxidised to make carbon dioxide which leads to global warming
  • INCOMPLETE COMBUSTION (not enough oxygen) leads to carbon monoxide (poisonous gas)
  • Crude oil is running out
  • not CARBON NEUTRAL (see below)
There is a solution however...

Biofuels (biodiesel and ethanol)

Biodiesel and ethanol are made from plant material. They are both CARBON NEUTRAL because plant pull in the carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and, when burnt, put the same amount into the air again (no more carbon is put into the air).
  • Labour intensive process so provides lots of jobs
  • Low technology and energy use so a lot cheaper
  • Carbon neutral, renewable and sustainable
  • Using a lot of land that could be used for growing food crops
  • What would we do if there were massive crop failures?
  • A very slow process 
  • Habitat destruction to grow crops so reduction in biodiversity
ETHANOL is produced by the fermentation of sugared cane and is a fuel suitable for cars.




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