Environment General Courses (ENVIRON)
graduate level, taught in Durham
298.23 Energy Technology and its Impace
on the Environment
Spring 2006 MW 11:40-12:55
Professors Cox, Harman and Knight
CLASS DESCRIPTION
Our dependence on abundant and inexpensive energy
for a vibrant and growing economy presents us
with a wide variety of options. However, each
of these options has environmental consequences,
some of which may result in unintended and undesirable
outcomes. In addition, while the options may seem
straightforward on the surface, the technology
that underlies them is complex. A quantitative
understanding of the concept of energy and the
natural laws that govern its conversion from one
form to another is an essential element in understanding
the often conflicting issues between societies
energy needs and societies concern for environmental
degradation.
Each of the current and potential sources of
energy is reviewed. Included is consideration
of the quality of energy from the prospective
of the second law of thermodynamics. An overview
of current power production and its environmental
consequences is presented. Combustion and fossil
fuel power plants are discussed. The purpose of
the various components is pointed out. Nuclear
reaction and commercial nuclear power plant operation
is likewise explained. The nature and extent of
the environmental by-product of operation of these
plants is detailed quantitatively. Energy use
in transportation is considered in terms of fuel
use and environmental impact, especially with
regard to air pollution. Alternatives to current
transportation practice are considered. Pollution
produced by power plants, including thermal, particulate,
chemical and radiological is discussed and possible
solutions or alternatives are presented. Energy
use in buildings and the potential for conservation
measures is cited. Across all the technology and
consumption categories, particular attention is
devoted to the total cycle efficiency and the
resulting implications for the production of carbon
dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Aspects of
carbon sequestration are discussed.
Renewable energy resources are given special
attention in terms both of their promise to alleviate
need for non-renewable resources and their environmental
effects. Hydropower and biomass are cited in terms
of their current contributions to energy needs
as well as their potential in the future. Other
potential sources of renewal energy such as solar
photovoltaic, solar thermal, ocean thermal, wind,
geothermal, and tidal energy are considered and
put into context in terms of their present contribution
potential both for power production and for pollution
avoidance.
CLASS REQUIREMENTS
An assignment that is due to be completed by
the next class period will usually be given in
each class period. Generally, the assignment will
include written work and is subject to being collected
and graded. Considerable emphasis is placed on
these assignments because learning this material
is an extraordinarily cumulative process. New
material is added each class session. Mastering
each new element facilitates mastering the next.
Completing assignments in a timely manner is extremely
important for clarity of understanding.
The grades will be based on:
Average of collected assignments and term report*
40%
Average of 4 written exams 40%
Participation 20%
* Term papers to be selected from a list of approved
topics
SCHEDULE
Readings from:
Energy and Problems of a Technical Society by
Ristinen and Kraushaar
Tomorrow’s Energy by Peter Hoffmann
Engineering Response to Global Climate Change,
ed. By Robert Watts
Energy and the Environment by James Fay
Instructorrs: F. H. Cocks , C. M. Harman, J. D.
Knight,
First Course Module:
Energy and energy conversion
U.S. energy resources and consumption
Heat engines and fossil power plants
Thermal and air pollution, CO2 accumulation
Coal fired power plants, pollutants released
Particulate, SO2 and Hg control
Nuclear reaction
Nuclear power plants, safety, environmental impact
Radioactivity and used fuel rod storage
Nuclear power and global warming
Module 1 Exam
Second Course Module
Hydro-power and effect on river ecology
. Pumped storage, tidal energy, ecological effects
Wind energy, reliability
Solar energy resource, photovoltaics
Energy from biomass
Passive solar architecture and systems
Active solar thermal systems
Module 2 Exam
Third Course Module
Transportation energy consumption
Auto engines and air pollution
Advanced automotive technologies
Mass transportation/transport issues
Fuel cells, types, capability
Fuel cells, air pollution avoidance
Fuel cells, infrastructure and the environment
Module 3 Exam
Fourth Course Module
Solar photovoltaic energy
Solar photovoltaic energy
Solar photovoltaic energy and its environmental
impact
Ocean thermal geothermal energy and environmental
impact
Carbon sequestration and global warming
Global warming: predictions and possibilities
Module 4 Exam
Presentations and Summation
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