Ethan Bryant Nonrenewable and Renewable Resources. by Ethan Bryant

Natural Gas

ebryant28_ — 2023-11-07 14:40:23 UTC

Natural gas is not renewable, it is a fossil fuel energy source. Natural gas is a mixture of gases, methane, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. Natural gasses are deep inside the earth near coal and crude oil. Natural gas is extracted from formations by drilling. Just about everyone in the United States uses natural gas. Natural gas is used for 27.5 percent of U.S. energy. Industry burns natural gas for heat to manufacture goods. Natural gas is also used in fertilizer, glue, paint, laundry detergent, and many other items. Using natural gas (Not products that contain natural gasses) produces oxides, smog, and small amounts of sulfur and mercury.

Petroleum

ebryant28_ — 2023-11-07 14:41:18 UTC

Petroleum is nonrenewable and is a fossil fuel. It is a liquid mixture of hydrocarbons that is present in certain rocks. Petroleum is formed from the remains of ancient marine organisms, such as plants, algae, and bacteria. Petroleum is made by dead animals and plants being covered by layers of sand, silt, and rock. It heats up and pressure from these layers turns the remains into petroleum. The cost to produce a barrel varies from about $20 to $90 per barrel. Using petroleum helps form ozone, it also produces air toxins such as benzene, ethylbenzene, and n-hexane which can cause cancer and other serious health effects.

Ocean Tides (Hydropower)

ebryant28_ — 2023-11-07 14:41:28 UTC

Tidal energy is a renewable energy source. Ocean tides are a form of power produced by the natural rise and fall of tides caused by the Earth, the sun, and the moon. Tidal energy occurs when water passes through a penstock, causing the water to move faster. Tidal turbines must be more durable than wind turbines to withstand ocean currents, while tidal projects can cost millions to construct. Tidal energy does not create air, water, or thermal pollution though creating the plant does take fossil fuels.

Coal

ebryant28_ — 2023-11-07 14:41:36 UTC

Coal is nonrenewable and is a fossil fuel. Coal is a sedimentary deposit made of carbon. Coal contains energy stored by plants. Layers of dirt and rock covered the plants for millions of years. The resulting pressure and heat turned the plants into coal. When coal is burned it releases several airborne toxins like mercury, lead, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and various other heavy metals.

Wind

ebryant28_ — 2023-11-07 14:41:41 UTC

Wind turbines, collect and convert the kinetic energy that the wind produces into electricity. Wind flows over the blades creating lift, which causes the blades to turn. The blades are connected to a shaft that turns an electric generator, which produces electricity. Wind power is a clean and renewable energy source. Not only is wind an abundant resource, but it also provides electricity without burning any fuel or polluting the air. Overall, using wind to produce energy has fewer effects on the environment than many other energy sources. Wind turbines do not release emissions that can pollute the air or water. The typical wind turbine costs around the $2-4 million dollar range. Maintenance runs about $45,000 per year.

Nuclear Fission

ebryant28_ — 2023-11-07 14:41:54 UTC

Nuclear fission is when atoms are split apart, which releases energy. During nuclear fission, a neutron collides with another atom and splits it, releasing a large amount of energy in the form of heat. Nuclear fuels are not considered renewable as they are a limited material mined from the ground and can only be found in certain locations. Nuclear power plants are expensive to build but relatively cheap to run. Unlike fossil fuels, nuclear reactors do not produce air pollution or carbon dioxide while operating. However, the processes for mining and refining uranium ore and making reactor fuel all require large amounts of energy (Fossil fuels).