BENSON IDAHOSA UNIVERSITY, BENIN CITY

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

LECTURE NOTE TWO

Course Title: Energy Technologies 1

Course Code: ENG 312
Credit Hours: 2
Course Status: Compulsory

Course Lecturer(s)
Names, Prof D.I. O. IKHU-OMOREGBE
Office Address, ENGINEERING BUILDING
Phone Number, 09078754338
University’s Email, Dikhuomoregbe@biu.edu.ng

TOPIC:
ENVIRONMENTAL DIMENSIONS/IMPACT OF ENERGY
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
To acquaint students the basics of environmental impact of energy.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. Explain the effect of gaseous emissions from fossil fuels

2. Describe emissions pathways from Power generation systems
3. Explain how aerosols and GHG cause global warming
4. Explain the impact of acid formation and precipitation on the environment
CONTENT:
3.1 Introduction
It is generally agreed that each and every energy system impacts the environment in
a number of ways. Over the past few decades, energy-related environmental
concerns have expanded from primarily local or regional issues, to the international
and global nature of major energy-related environmental problems.

In developing or newly industrialized countries, energy-consumption growth rates are

typically extremely high, where also environmental management has not yet been
fully incorporated into the infrastructure.

Even in these countries environmental problems are becoming apparent or already

exists. Nevertheless, industrialized countries at present are mainly responsible for air
pollution, ozone depletion, and carbon emissions.

In 1997, the Kyoto Climate change Conference came up with a list of 15 concrete
proposals for cubing global GHG emissions. The list includes improving the fuel
efficiency of automobiles, introducing solar power facilities, and planting forests to act
as “green lungs” in densely populated areas.

CO2
VOCs
CO
N2O, NOx

Illustration of environmental impact(EI) of power

generation system through atmospheric effluents

The above illustration shows a generic power production system, which consumes
fossil fuels, generates useful work, and expels some pollutants in the environment.

3.2 Effects of gaseous emissions from fossil fuels

We also have pollutant emissions, accidents, hazards, ecosystem degradation
through air and water pollution, animal poisoning, GHG emission, carbon monoxide
(CO) leakages, stratospheric ozone depletion, and emission of SO2, NOx, volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) such as CH4, propane and butane, and PM, and other
aerosols.
Excessive concentrations of these pollutants and ozone have demonstrated health,
and ecological effects felt locally and sometimes regionally.
VOCs are known to be responsible for photochemical smog, which is produced by a
series of complex atmospheric reactions.

High levels of NO2 cause brownish haze over cities. It is activated by light and
increasing sunlight promotes the production of tropospheric ozone and other
ingredients of photochemical smog.

Air pollutants are emitted from a variety of stationary and mobile fuel consumption
sources, and energy-related activities contribute significant quantities of all these
pollutants.

Indoor air pollution is also of concern(e.g., CO, CO2, and smoke from stoves and
fireplaces; various gaseous oxides of nitrogen and sulfur from furnaces; stray natural
gas and heating oil vapours; radon emitted by natural gas burning appliances and the
surrounding soil; cigarette smoke; formaldehyde from plywood, foam insulation, and
glues).

Ventilation even in tightly sealed energy-efficiency buildings can eliminate most

indoor air quality concerns.

3.3 Emissions from Power generation systems

The conventional pathway of power generation is schematically shown below, in
comparison with cleaner pathways. After extraction, refining and distribution, the fuel
is used in oil-fired power plants to generate power. Three cleaner pathways for power
generation are illustrated through hydrogen energy as well.

Starting with natural gas as energy source, this is refined and distributed; then, it is
reformed at the distribution points and converted to hydrogen. The generated
hydrogen, when combusted with air, will only expel water at the power generation
stage.

Nevertheless, if during the reformation process the GHG and other pollutants’
emissions are not mitigated, then this pathway is responsible for some pollution.

However, if renewables sources are used as energy inputs, then pollution is better
mitigated. With PV and wind power generation, lesser pollution is experienced.
Conventional Some clean
Pathways pathways

Crude oil Natural gas Solar energy Wind energy

Pipeline Pipeline Photovoltaic Wind turbine

Transportation transportation power power
Generation

Distillation Reformation Electricity Electricity

Transmission transmission

Hydrogen from Hydrogen from

Distillation Hydrogen water water
Electrolysis electrolysis

Power Compression Compression Compression

generation and distribution

Expelled Power Power Power

pollutants generation generation generation

CO2, NOx, VOCs Expelled pure Expelled pure Expelled pure

PM, aerosols water water water

Schematic representation of conventional and some clean power generation

pathways. (PM, VOCs)

3.4 Aerosols and GHG cause global warming

In the atmosphere, the pollutants expelled by power generation systems produce
various hazards.
Extreme events can be generated by global warming or climate change, such as
extensive precipitations, rise in sea levels, etc.

Acidic gases form acid precipitation, which impacts soil and water and their life
systems. GHGs are those chemicals that are released to the atmosphere by natural
and anthropogenic activities.

When released GHGs travel through the atmosphere and reach the upper parts of the
troposphere. At these levels, GHGs absorb an important part of the infrared radiation
emitted by the Earth’s surface, and emit back to the surface.

As a consequence, the Earth’s surface temperature and the air temperature tend to
increase, and this process is called the greenhouse effect.

3.5 Acid Formation and Precipitation

Emissions of SO2 and NOx , which typically characterize the energy supply sector,
have a direct EI due to acidification effect. These gases may precipitate in the
complex set of chemical transformation in the atmosphere, resulting in acid
precipitation.

Road transportation is also an important source of NOx emissions. Most of the

remaining NOx emissions are due to fossil fuel combustion in stationary sources.
Countries where the energy-related activities occur widely are likely to be significant
contributors to acid precipitation.

A major problem with acid rain is that its effects often occur in a different country than
its source. There is significant evidence to show the damages of acid precipitation,
including
 Acidification of lakes, streams, and general ground waters
 Toxicity to plants from excessive acid concentrations
 Corrosion of exposed structures
 Damage to fish and aquatic life
 Damage to forests and agricultural crops
 Deterioration of buildings and fabrics

Acid precursors produced mainly from the combustion of fossil fuels, especially coal
and oil, and smelting of nonferrous ores can be transported long distances through
the atmosphere and deposited in different ecosystems.

The majority of SO2 emissions come from fossil fuel power plants, while majority of
NOx is emitted by the transportation sector. Another source of acid precipitation is
sour gas treatment, which produces H2S that then reacts to form SO2 when exposed
to air.

Acid precursors that travel to upper levels of the atmosphere enter into photo-induced
reactions with water vapour and form acids such as sulfuric acid and nitric acid.
These acids travel far from the point source pollution and dissociated in the
atmosphere moisture. The dissociated acids fall on the Earth’s surface as
precipitation (fog, rain, snow, etc).

Acidification and other types of pollutions caused by energy systems may affect the
quality of waters including ground water, because of its role in the supply of drinking
and irrigation water.

SUMMARY:
In this lecture we have examined the impact of energy utilization on the environment and
established that energy use has significant consequences of concern on the environment. There
is emissions of gaseous products such as CO2 and NOx that results in GHG effects, global
warming and acid precipitation.

ASSIGNMENTS:
Discuss the ways in which acid rain is formed and its effect on the environment.