Non-conventional Sources of Energy: An Analysis

Non-conventional Sources of Energy An Analysispreservation OF ENERGYEnergy is a primary input in any industrial operation. Energy is also a major input in sectors such as commerce, transport, telecommunication, etc besides the wide range of services required in the ho rolehold industrial sectors. (A)What Do We toy with by Alternative Energy?The alternative- postal code segment of the elan vital industry covers a broad range of sources. These sources range from well established technologies, such as atomic nada and hydroelectric force, through high-growth segments such as plait and solar might. They also include less(prenominal) tried and tested alternatives, such as total heat-powered, terminate-cell applied science for use in electricity generation (7)Renewable sources of push andtonIt is that nix which is renewed again again. These include wood obtained from forests, petro lays , bring biomass agricultural wastes, wind energy,water energy, geothermic energy, these contribute reproduce themselves in nature mass be harvested continusiously through a sustained proper planning management(B)Non renewable sources of energyThese argon lendable in limited amount develop over a long period of time. They atomic number 18 exhausted one day.these include coal,oil,petroleum, the common source of energy being organic in their origin also called fossil fuel.( B)Conventional source of energyIn near of the fuel wood was consumed for domestic purposes in the first place in rural argonas, very little of it was available to industrial sector. Coal already in use in industries become a highly priced source. It was wherefore supplemented by mineral oil. Likewise the use of hydro-electricity become de ber the domain of a functions where running water needed technology was readily available.After 2nd world war thermo atomic power was developed. All these sources of energy. All these sources of energy are known as conventional sources of energy. Coal stil l occupies a central position. (B)Non conventional sources of energyNon renewable of energy could exhaust one day. Most non renewable sources cause environmental pollution We must conserve non renewable sources by replacing with renewable sources. (B)CONSERVATION OF ENERGYRenewable sources of energyNon renewable sources of energyConventional source of energyNon conventional sources of energySources of enerSources of energyPrimarySecondry1 primary sources are those which we get from environment.Eg. fossil fuel, nuclear fuel, hydro energy, solar energy, wind energy.2 secondry sources are those which are derived from primary energy resource. Eg. Petrol, electrical energy, coal impetuous . (A)Conventional sources of energyCoal The heat capacity can be converted into the electricity plash , oil. therefore many caloric super thermal powerstation are located on the coal fields to produce electric power to feeds regional power systems.(A)Oil it was formed more than 300 million year ago. Tiny diatoms are the source of oil. Diatoms are the sea creature in the size of pin head. Diatoms are dead they fell into the sea floor. They buried under the rocks. The rock compact the diatoms the energy in the bodies could not escape. The carbon eventually turned into oil under great pressure heat. Oil natural gas are tack together under ground between rocks in areas where rocks are porous.(C)Natural gas It is lighten uper than air . It is do up of methane (made up of carbon hydrogen atoms ch-4). It is entrap near the petroleum under the earth. It has no odour.it is usually mix with a gas that has strong odour like rotten eggs.(C)NUCLEAR FUSIONIf light nuclei are forced together, they pass on fuse with a consequence of energy because the mass of the combination will be less than the sum of the masses of the individual nuclei. If the combined nuclear mass is less than that of iron at the peak of the binding energy curve, then nuclear particles will be more tightly bound than they were in the lighter nuclei, and that decrease in mass comes off in the form of the energy according to the Einstein relationship. For elements heavier than iron, fission will yield energy.For potential nuclear energy sources for the Earth, the deuterium-tritium fusion reaction contained by some kind of magnetic confinement seems the most likely path. However, for the fuelling of the stars, other fusion reactions will dominate. (c)NUCLEAR FISSIONThe nucleus captures the neutron, it splits into two lighter atoms and throws off two or three new neutrons. The two new atoms then emit da Gamma radiation as they settle into their new states. in that respect are three things about this induced fission-the probability of a U-235 atom capturing a neutron as it passes by is fairly high.-the process of capturing the neutron and splitting happens very quickly, in the order of picoseconds-An incredible amount of energy is released in the form of heat and gamma radiation, when a s ingle atom splits. The two atoms that result from the fission later release beta radiation and gamma radiation of their own as well. The energy released by a single fission Comes from the fact that the fission products and the neutrons, together, weigh less than the original U-235 atom. The difference in weight is converted at present to energy at a rate governed by the equation e=mc2 (C)NUCLEAR REACTOR(1)Light water reactor-We use ordinary water for colling and moderisation these are basic 2 types change state water reactorpressurised water reactorThere are also high temperature gas called reactors which basically of l.w.r type (2)heavy water reactor the most popular one has been Canadian deuterium uranium reactor. The design is difficult from that of lwr type. The fuel is arranged horizontally rather than the vertically as in l.w.r. (3) runniness metal fast breeder reactor here we use liquid sodium as the coolent. There are 300 atomic power plant ,operating in world. Max in use ( 83), Ussr (40), up (35), France(34),Japan 25, Germany 15, Canada 13 India is rich in atomic mineral. Uranium mines are located in singbum in bihar split of bihar Most abudent source is monazite sands on the shores of kerala. Thorium is derived from these sands. Nuclear power corporation is engaged with the establishment of nucleus. Power plants 6 nuclear power plants in operation generating 1230 mwe(single individual plant is 210-235mwe). (b)AdvantagesNuclear energy has a number of dictatorials going for it. First, it does not give off carbon emissions, earning it supporters in the environmental confederation among those cin one caserned about global warming. second, once reactors are built, it is very cost effective to keep them running at high capacity and for utilities to address pack fluctuations by cutting back on usage of fossil fuels. Third, nuclear plants tend to last a long time and many lively plants piss become more efficient over time, reducing their demand for ura nium.and represent reliable sources of supplyDisadvantagesThere are a number of disadvantages to the nuclear-power option. These include not only the safety questions but also some scotch and supply-related questions that are mensesly being debated by those for and opposed to renewal of outdated power plants or an expansion of the sector.In terms of safety, two issues are regularly debated. First, the issue of nuclear waste and, second, concerns over potential terrorist attacks on nuclear power plants. The first remonstrance whitethorn be overcome through the introduction of new types of power plants, such as the pebble-bed modular reactor. This type of reactor uses graphite balls flecked with tiny amounts of uranium, rather than conventional fuel rods. With the fuel encased in graphite and impermeable silicon carbide, the theory is that the waste should be relatively easy to drive of. The terrorism fears are less easily addressed and may ultimately stall the construction of ne w plants in countries such as the U.S., where these worries are greatest. Among economic concerns is the question of construction costs. Although the cost of energy produced by existing nuclear plants is competitive, the upfront capital costs of constructing new plants are highly high, calculated at $1,300-$1,500 per kilowatt- hour, or twice the amount it costs to construct a gas-fired power station(F)Non Conventional energy sourceSOLAR ENERGYTwo weeks of solar energy is roughly equivalent to the energy stored in all known reserves of coal.oil and natural gas on the earth. Solar energy may be promptly use either by active solar system or passive solar system. Another potentially important aspect 0f direct solar energy involves solar cells or photovoltaic that convert sunlight directly into electricity. Two other type of solar energy are the solar power tower and solar ponds.(b) There are two main ways to harness the power of the sun to generate electricity photovoltaic (PV), where sunlight is directly converted into electricity via solar cells, and solarthermal power. PV is a proven technology that is most appropriate for small-scale applications to provide heat and power to individual houses and businesses. Sunlight go on a layer of semiconductors, which jostles electrons. This, in turn, creates an electrical current that can be employ as a source for heat. Solar PV cells are already cost effective for powering houses and businesses in some regions. As with wind power, technological developments have reduced costs considerably over the last a few(prenominal) years. distant wind power, however, gargantuanscale electricity production using solar energy costs about 22 cents per kilowatt-hour, significantly more expensive than its fossil fuel competitors and nuclear energy. Hopes to reduce these costs lie with newer technologies. Solar-thermal generated energy is only just emerging from the experimental stage to full-scale electricity production. Solar-ther mal power concentrates the sun to heat up fuel such as gas or oil. The heat trapped within is then used to convert water into travel, which powers a conventional steam turbine to generate electricity. Fossil fuels are sometimes used as a back-up to heat the water in the boiler if the sun is not shining. There are three different methods for concentrating the suns raysParabolic Trough This method uses long, parallel rows of glass mirrors in the shape of a trough to concentrate the suns rays toward the absorber tube usually fill with oil to maximum effect.Power Tower Similar in principle to parabolic-trough technology, the mirrors are placed in a circular pattern. At the center of the merry-go-round is a tower, at the top of which is a receiver filled with water, air, liquid metal or molten salt that moves to a power block and is used to power a steam turbine.Parabolic Disk System In this system, dishes rather than troughs are used to concentrate the power of the sun. An examp le of this type of solar project is the 500-megawatt Solar Energy Systems plant being constructed in the Mojave Desert in California. By the end of cc6, the company expects to begin supplying electricity to Confederate California Edison (SCE), but will not be fully operational until 2011, when it may account for as much as a 20 portion increase in SCEs electricity generation from renewables(F)AdvantagesIn spite of its cost versus other sources of energy, solar power is attracting interest due to the followingSolar energy makes use of a renewable natural resource that is readily available in many parts of the world.The process used to generate solar energy is emission-free.Technological advances have reduced costs to a point that it can compete with fossil fuel alternatives in specific circumstances.The technology is scalable in that it can be used fordomestic heating purposes or on a larger scale for commercial electricity generation, as solar water heaters are an established tech nology, widely available and simple to install and maintainDisadvantagesThe biggest barriers to increasing solar power generation are the cost, the amount of land required for large electricity production, and the intermittent nature of the energy source.In terms of the latter, thermal systems do not work at night or in inclement weather. reposition of hot water for domestic or commercial use is simple, needing only insulated tanks, but storage of the higher-temperature liquids needed to generate electricity on a large scale or storage of the electricity itself requires march on technological development(F)WIND ENERGYIn the country there are areas which are quite windy. lift energy may be converted into mechanical electrical energy. Now, wind has been utilized for pumping water in rural areas.Wind energy is effective in remote areas helps in saving fossils fuels, would deliver on the spot small quantity of energy which is free pollution environmental degradation.Gujrat is f irst to starts using wind power.AdvantagesThere are a number of notable advantages associated with wind powerIt is a clean, renewable energy source.There is no fuel component, so once built there is no a finite fuel supply or costs associated with such a supply.Wind power can be generated in remote areas, including out in the oceans.It is scalable in that it can be used to generate power in a local area or even at the individual property level, but can also generate large amounts of power that can be added to an electricity grid system..For land-based wind farms, once the wind towers are installed, the land area around them can be used for other purposes, such as agricultural use.DisadvantagesAs with any source of energy, there are some drawbacks to wind power. The most significant is that the wind to drive the turbines may be intermittent and that it does not forever blow when electricity is needed. Wind energy may only be available 40 pct of the year in some areas versus 90 shar e for a fossil-fuel powered plant. New blade design can overcome this problem to a certain extent, as can storing the energy in batteries, but because of these potential drawbacks, the site of the wind farm is key to its success and vice versa.(F)OCEAN ENERGY (TIDAL ENERGY)Tidal power generation depends on the harnessing of rise and take back of sea level due to tidal action. Small tidal power plants have been constructed in china USSR. The most important application of tidal power is electricity generation.In India sites exploitation of tidal energy are gulfs of kutch kombay sunderbans.India could intensify work on ocean thermal energy conversion brandish energy. The country is already experience with exploiting tidal energy. The central electricity authority Gujrat electricity board carried out site studies for establishment of tidal plants in play of kutch. India has excellent OTEC potential some of the best sites in world are known to be located off the Indian mainland island of lakshdeep Andoman nicobar. Total OTEC potential in India is 50000mW which is about 150% of installed power generated capacity in India.PRESENT USESTidal power has on a small scale been used throughout the storey of mankind. It was not until twentieth century that large-scale tidal projects were considered. Today, sites suitable for the utilisation of tidal power exist in many places around the world.DISADVANTAGES-Not yet economically feasible.-Problems with transportation of hydroelectricity.-Technology not developed.ADVANTAGES-Renewable resource.-No pollution.-Produced 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.-Peak output coincides with peak energy demand.(c) provide cellProduction of electricity by thermal plants is not a very efficient method and is major source of pollution. It now possible to make such in which reactants sre fed always to the electrodes and products are removed continuously from the electrolyte compartment. Galvanic cell that are knowing to convert th eenergy of combustion of fuels like hydrogen, methane, methanol,etc. directly into electrical energy are called fuel cell.One of the most successful fuel cell uses the reaction hydrogen with oxygen to form water. The cell was used for providing electrical power in Apollo infinite programme.The water vapours produced during the reaction were condensed and added to the drinking water supply for the astronauts. In the cell, hydrogen and oxygen are bubbled through porous carbon electrodes into concentrated aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. Catalyst like finally divided platinum metal are incorporated into the electrodes for increasing the rate of electrode reaction.Efficiency is 70%compared to thermal plant whose capability is 40%.(E)A fuel cell that runs on pure oxygen hydrogen produces no waste product. when a reformer is coupled to the fuel cell some pollutant are released(co2)but levels are typically less than conventional fossil fuel combustion in a power plant or an auto-mobi le engine.fuel cell could be ideal zero emission power source for vehicle. Fuel cell busses could be tested in a Canada. The current from a fuel cell is proportional to the size of electrode voltage is limited (1.23). Tiny fuel cell running on methanol might used in cell phone, pager, toys, computer, now run by batteries.Bio fuel based on fuel derived from organic biomass from recently living animals or plants or their by products, has transformed from a niche alternative to fossil fuels (e.g., gasoline, diesel) to become a booming industry.Any liquid that stores energy, which is typically utilized by an engine or generator, can be called a fuel. The term bio fuels encompasses a wide range of fuels, including vegetable oils, animal fats, ethanol, biodiesel (any oil or fat that undergoes trans esterification to more closely match mineral-based fuel), and syn fuel (fuel made from gasi fied organic matter, then liquefied to form fuel). The main common trait of all these fuels is that they are derived from organic biomass, rather than minerals.Bio fuels are made using a fairly simple process that typically involves harvesting feedstock, or the raw materials (e.g., soybeans, sugarcane), crushing the feedstock, separating the dry matter from the oil, then re-crushing and/or further processing to extract as much oil as possible. The resulting oil can then either be directly consumed (e.g., by vehicles with specially designed engines), further processed (e.g., into biodiesel), or blended with mineral-based fuel before being delivered to the end user at gas stations and depots around the world (the most common blends in the U.S. are E10 (10% percent ethanol blend) and E85 (85% ethanol blend). Only some biofuels, most notably biodiesel, can be used in traditional internal combustion engines. Other biofuels, such as ethanol, must be blended with mineral-based fuel in order to be used in existing engines.The most common inputs into biofuels vary by country. In the U.S., corn and soybeans are most prevalent, while Europe tends to use flaxseed and rapeseed, brazil-nut tree sugarcane, and Asia palm oil. Brazil is in many ways the pioneer of the biofuels industry, having introduced ethanol from sugarcane (and flexfuel vehicles capable of running on ethanol) over 25 years ago as method to reduce dependence on oil imports.a fuel cell uses a catalyst to create a reaction between hydrogen from a fuel and oxygen from the air to generate electricity, with the only byproduct being water. Such fuel cells can be used for power generation and as a replacement for the combustion engine to run cars and other vehicles. Fuel cells have long been used in the U.S. space program, but until the past few years have proved prohibitively expensive for civilian use. Interest in fuel cells was reignited in the late 1990s, as companies began to make breakthroughs in technology. whacking automotive manufacturers, such as General Motors and Daimler Chrysler, also started inv esting in fuel-cell companies and began to design concept fuel-cell powered vehicles. Development, thus far, has focused primarily on protonexchange tissue layer (PEM) fuel cells. This type of fuel cell uses a polymer membrane to separate two subcells, one fed with hydrogen and one with oxygen (through air). On the hydrogen side, the hydrogen breaks down into protons and electrons, and the protons migrate through the membrane into the oxygen side. The electrons, on the other hand, are forced to detour through wire connecting metal plates, resulting in a reaction that creates electricity. Other types of cells include the molten-carbonate fuel cell, which is the most efficient design but is very complex and only economical when generating more than 200 kilowatts. Westinghouse is developing a competing design, the solidoxide fuel cell, which operates at extremely high temperatures and has the added advantage that waste heat can be used to drive an auxiliary gas turbine.(F)What are the Challenges to Large-Scale Hydrogen Production?One of the biggest challenges to moving towards large-scale adoption of the hydrogen economy is production of hydrogen itself. A question a lot raised is whether it takes more energy to produce the hydrogen than you get back when you either drive the car or use it to power a building. There are currently three ways to produce hydrogenNatural gas, coal, wood and organic waste burn with air and steam at extremely high temperatures. When cooled, the resulting gases contain a significant amount of hydrogen.An electrical current is passed between two electrodes (anelectrolyzer) immersed in water. Hydrogen rises up from the negative electrode and oxygen from the positive electrode.Some bacteria reportedly produce hydrogen, but this method has yet to be exploited commerciallyThe first of these options has traditionally been the most cost-effective. That it still requires the burning of fossil fuels, combined with the rising price for natural g as, however, makes it less attractive as a long-term solution.The second option is simple to establish and can be done on a small or large scale nearest the point where the hydrogen may be needed. However, it also has a major drawback. Although this method has a 98 percent efficiency rate, when you factor in the voltage of the fuel cell, you get back only 40 percent of what you put inThere are two powerful arguments for converting electricity into hydrogen, in spite of the inefficiency of the processThe first is the use it or lose it principle. galvanising power itself cannot be stored in its pure form it needs to be converted to something else. Just as surplus nuclear and gas-fired power stations may store impudent power by using it to pump water back up inside a damper as part of an combine electrical storage system in combination with a hydroelectric power plant, hydrogen can be similarly used to store unused electrical power.Second, electricity stored as hydrogen is versatile . Not onlycan it be used for re-electrification, it also can potentiallybe used as fuel for cars or for producing heat.Why Fuel Cells?Fuel cells directly convert the chemical energy in hydrogen to electricity, with pure water and potentially useful heat as the only byproducts.Hydrogen-powered fuel cells are not only pollution-free, but also can have two to three times the efficiency of traditional combustion technologies.A conventional combustion-based power plant typically generates electricity at efficiencies of 33 to 35 percent, while fuel cell systems can generate electricity at efficiencies up to 60 percent (and even higher with cogeneration).The gasoline engine in a conventional car is less than 20% efficient in converting the chemical energy in gasoline into power that moves the vehicle, under normal driving conditions. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, which use electric motors, are much more energy efficient and use 40-60 percent ofthe fuels energy corresponding to more than a 50% reduction in fuel consumption, compared to a conventional vehicle with a gasoline internal combustion engine.In addition, fuel cells operate quietly, have fewer moving parts, and are well suited to a variety of applications.How Do Fuel Cells Work?A single fuel cell consists of an electrolyte sandwiched between two electrodes, an anode and a cathode. bipolar plates on either side of the cell help distribute gases and serve as current collectors. In a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cell, whichmost shiny for light-duty transportation, hydrogen gas flows through channels to the anode, where a catalyst causes the hydrogen molecules to separate into protons and electrons. The membrane allows only the protons to pass through it.Comparison of Fuel Cell TechnologiesIn general, all fuel cells have the same basic configuration an electrolyte and two electrodes. But there are different types of fuel cells, sort out primarily by the kind of electrolyte used. The electrolyte deter mines the kind of chemical reactions that take place in the fuel cell, the temperature range of operation, and other factors that determine its most suitable applications.(7)