Fossil Fuels Geoffrey Thyne Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute

Fossil Fuels Geoffrey Thyne Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute University of Wyoming

Energy Sources v v v Fossil fuels Nuclear Solar Wind Efficiency

World Energy Demand In 1999, with less than 5 % of the world's population, the US generated 30 % of the world's GDP (Gross Domestic Product), consumed 25 % of the world's energy, and emitted 25 % of the world's carbon dioxide. "

From John Lavelle – GE Gasification

From John Lavelle – GE Gasification

Energy Density

Energy Payback

Modern Civilization

US Energy Sources and Sinks v http: //www. eia. doe. gov/emeu/aer/pdf/pages/sec 1_3. pdf

Quadrillion Btu Demand for Energy Will Continue to Rise Oil and gas provide about two-thirds of energy consumed Gas 24% Oil 40% Year DOE EIA, Annual Energy Outlook 2004, Figure 2

Fossil Fuels Oil – liquid hydrocarbon phase formed during burial between 70 and 120 C from kerogen. ¾ Natural Gas – hydrocarbons that are gaseous at earth surface conditions (C 1 -C 4) and formed by thermal degradation of kerogen or oil, or by microbial action near surface. ¾ Coal – Solid phase hydrocarbon formed from organic matter deposited in fresh water shallow environments (swamps). ¾

For electricity, America can become selfsufficient since 76% is generated domestically from US-based coal (50%), nuclear (19%) and hydro-power (7%).

Fossil Fuel Formation ¾ Formed from organic matter ® Phytoplankton ® Zooplankton ® Bacteria ® Land plants ¾ The major components of this material includes proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and lignins (resins, waxes, spores, pollen, cell walls, etc. )

Petroleum Formation – Oil and Gas ¾ Sufficient source requires high productivity zone ® ® ¾ ¾ Concentration by depositional environment Preservation by burial rate and oxygen content Kerogen – functional definition for organic matter that has survived shallow burial The carbohydrate-lipid portion of organic matter that is resistant to decay/oxidation These resistant portions form organic condensate called kerogen Burial and heating of kerogen produces oil and gas

Liquid Fuels v v v Most natural gas is used in home heating, electrical generation and petrochemical synthesis. Almost all liquid petroleum (oil) is refined producing liquid and solid products. Almost all liquids are used for transportation (gasoline and diesel).

Conventional Oil and Gas

World Oil Production

But - transportation (auto, truck, aircraft, military), plastics and food energy demands are nearly 100% dependent on oil

World Energy Reserves/Production

Enhanced Oil Recovery v v Process that produces additional Oil from existing fields All oil fields eventually stop producing oil At that point between 40 to 60% of the original oil remains Injection of CO 2, or surfactants (soap) remove additional amounts

Unconventional Large volumes difficult to develop Increased pricing Conventional Reservoirs Small volumes that are easy to develop Improved technology Resource Triangle

Production of Coal Bed Gas v v Groundwater is removed from shallow coal beds to release natural gas (methane). Production of water is much higher (10 -100 X) than traditional gas wells (400 bbl. water = 100 MCF) Capacity of traditional water disposal method (re-injection) is limited

Shale Gas

Coal v v v 6. 2 billion tons annually (global) 75% is burned to produce electricity Distribution is fairly uniform on global scale

Coal Formed when organic-rich sediments were buried to form peat v Further burial creates more carbon–rich forms v ¾ ¾ Lignite or brown coal, fuel only Sub-bituminous, fuel Bituminous, dense, black, fuel and coke Anthracite, glossy black, heating

Coal v v v Complex system of with organic matter, C, H and O (85 -95% by weight) called mascerals, inorganic material (aluminosilicates and pyrites – 5 -15%) and pores (provide very high surface area). H/C ratio of about 0. 9 (half of petroleum), considered hydrogen deficient, contains S, N and metals. High oxygen content, about 20%, 10 X that of petroleum.

Used when coal is < 200 feet depth

Using Coal Electrical Generation Standard Pulverized Coal Plant IGCC Coal Plant Coal Carbon Based Products Coal Gasification Ammonia Fertilizer Natural Gas Liquids

Coal v v v Emissions of toxic products Nitrogen produces nitric acid (HNO 3), NOX Sulfur produces SO 2, sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4), SOX Major metal is mercury (Hg) Produces Flyash as by-product of combustion

Using Coal Large domestic resource v Infrastructure in place v Carbon tax will increase electricity costs v Will need “clean coal” – capture and dispose of C, N, S and Hg (Future Gen) v

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