Fossil Fuels

Geoffrey ThyneEnhanced Oil Recovery Institute

University of Wyoming

Energy Sources

Fossil fuels Nuclear Solar Wind Efficiency

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."

World Energy Demand

From John Lavelle – GE Gasification

From John Lavelle – GE Gasification

Energy Density

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Energy Payback

Modern Civilization

US Energy Sources and Sinks

http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/aer/pdf/pages/sec1_3.pdf

Energy Sources (%)

Coal

Natural Gas

Crude Oil

NGPL

Nuclear

Renewable

PetroleumImports

Energy Sinks (%)

Residential

Commercial

Industrial

Transportation

Demand for Energy Will Continue to RiseOil and gas provide about two-thirds of energy

consumed

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Natural GasCoalOilNuclearHydroRenewables

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DOE EIA, Annual Energy Outlook 2004, Figure 2

Oil 40%

Gas 24%

Fossil Fuels

Oil – liquid hydrocarbon phase formed during burial between 70 and 120C from kerogen.

Natural Gas – hydrocarbons that are gaseous at earth surface conditions (C1-C4) and formed by thermal degradation of kerogen or oil, or by microbial action near surface.

Coal – Solid phase hydrocarbon formed from organic matter deposited in fresh water shallow environments (swamps).

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

Fossil Fuel Formation

Formed from organic matter Phytoplankton Zooplankton Bacteria Land plants

The major components of this material includes proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and lignins (resins, waxes, spores, pollen, cell walls, etc.)

Petroleum Formation – Oil and Gas

Sufficient source requires high productivity zone 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

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).

Liquid Fuels

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

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 CO2, or surfactants (soap) remove

additional amounts

Resource TriangleConventional ReservoirsSmall volumes that areeasy to develop

UnconventionalLarge volumes difficult to develop

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Production of Coal Bed Gas Groundwater is removed from shallow coal beds to release natural gas (methane).

Production of water is much higher (10-100X) than traditional gas wells

(400 bbl. water = 100 MCF) Capacity of traditional water

disposal method (re-injection) is limited

Shale Gas

Coal 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

Further burial creates more carbon–rich forms

Lignite or brown coal, fuel only Sub-bituminous, fuel Bituminous, dense, black, fuel and coke Anthracite, glossy black, heating

Coal

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%, 10X that of petroleum.

Used when coal is < 200 feet depth

Using Coal

CoalStandard Pulverized

Coal PlantCoal Gasification

Electrical Generation Carbon Based Products

IGCC Coal Plant

Natural Gas Liquids

AmmoniaFertilizer

Coal Emissions of toxic products Nitrogen produces nitric acid (HNO3), NOX

Sulfur produces SO2, sulfuric acid (H2SO4), SOX Major metal is mercury (Hg) Produces Flyash as by-product of combustion

Using Coal

Large domestic resource Infrastructure in place Carbon tax will increase electricity costs Will need “clean coal” – capture and

dispose of C, N, S and Hg (Future Gen)

Questions?