- Producer gas
Producer gas is a mixture of carbon monoxide and nitrogen (CO +N2)
How producer gas is manufactured
Producer gas is prepared by passing air over red –not coke .the nitrogen in air is not affected during the process and the carbon monoxide and nitrogen is formed
C (red hot coke) + O2(Limited) → (CO + N2)(producer gas)
- Water gas
Water gas is a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen with a small amount of carbon dioxide.
How water gas is manufactured.
It is manufactured by passing steam over red –hot coke at 11000c because reaction is endothermic when temperature decreases CO2 begins to form.
C (red hot coke) + H2O (steam) → (CO + H2)(Water gas)
Advantages and Disadvantages of Gaseous fuels
Advantages | Disadvantages |
Need the least storage space. | They are highly inflammable so chances of fire hazards in their uses is high |
Easy to transport through pipelines. | They are more expensive than liquid/solid fuels. |
They have high heat content. | Very large storage tanks are needed |
They are clean in use.They burn without any smoke and ashes | |
Easy to control when burning. | |
QUALITIES OF GOOD FUELS
- They should be easily stored and transported.
- They should have low content of non- combustible material.
- They should not give off poisonous gases during combustion.
- They should be readily available in large quantities.
- They should be affordable to most people.
- They should not have harmful effects on the environment during its production and its use.
- They should have an average ignition point Ignition point – the temperature to which the fuel must be heated before it starts burning.
- They should burn with a moderate velocity for a continuous supply of heat.
- They should have a high pyrometric effect. Pyrometric burning effect –the highest temperature that can be reached by the burning fuel.
ENERGY
Energy is the capacity or ability of a body or system to do work The SI unit for energy is the Joule (J).
Energy exists in two major forms:-
-
Potential energy.
- Kinetic energy.
Potential energy is the energy in matter due to its position or state.
Kinetic energy is the energy possessed by a body due to motion.
Mechanical energy = kinetic energy + potential energy
Some forms of kinetic(KE) and potential energy(PE):-
1. (KE) Electrical energy is energy possessed by electrical charges in motion.
2. (PE) Chemical energy is energy possessed by matter due to its chemical make-up e.g. Bios mass , petroleum and natural gas.
3. (KE)adiant energy is electroma gnetic energy that travels in a transverse. Radiant energy include visible right, x- rays, gamma rays radio waves and solar energy.
4. (PE )Elastic potential energy is the energy stored in objects by the application of a force .e.g. compressed springs and stretches) rubber bands.
5. (KE)Thermal energy is the internal energy in substances caused by the vibration and movement of atoms and molecules within the substance. geothermal energy is an example of thermal energy.
6. (PE)Nuclear energy is energy possessed by an atom in its nucleus. Nuclear energy holds the nucleus together. The energy is released when nuclear are combined or split apart.
7. (KE)Sound is the movement of energy through substances in longitudinal waves. Sound is produced when a force causes an object or substance to vibrate.
8. (PE)Gravitational energy is the energy possessed by a boy due to its position or place. When an object is lifted or suspended in air, its possesses grantational energy due to its position.
Principle of conservation of energy state that:
“Energy can neither be created nor destroyed it can only be transformed from one form to another”
Transformation of energy
Transformation of energy is the process of changing energy from one form to another.
Example of transformation of energy
1. Water in a dam has a potential energy.
2. If this water flows downhill and is converted to kinetic energy
3. The falling water turns the blades of a water wheel so that kinetic energy is converted to mechanical energy.
4. The water wheel tums a generator to convert methanical energy into electrical energy
5. Electrical energy may be converted into light energy , sound energy and heat energy in the home
ENERGY VALUE OF FUEL
The energy value of any fuel is the total amount of heat liberated by the complete combustion of a unit mass of the fuel in air (oxygen) .
Energy value = total energy liberated (J or kJ)÷ Mass of the fuel used (g/kg)
The unit of energy value is joules per gram (j/g) or kilojoules per kilogram (
Kj/Kg)
Heat = mass of a substance x specific heat capacity x change in temperature.
ENERGY SOURCES
Sources of energy can be divided into renewable and non-renewable sources.
Non-renewable source of energy are sources that cannot be replenished within short periods of time.ources
They include fossil fuel and nuclear energy. Non-renewable sources are not being replaced at the same rate as they are being used up.
Renewable sources of Energy
(Alternative sources of energy)
Renewable sources of energy are those which are continually being replaced within short periods of time.
-
Hydroelectric energy
The potential energy stored in the water held in dams is made to drive a water turbine and generator which in turn produces electric power. This form of energy generation is called Hydroelectric Power (HEP).
Advantages
- Water used for power generation can be put to use again.
- No chemical process involved in the power production process, therefore the power generated is clean and does not harm the environment
- The source of hydroelectric power generation that is water is free of cost.
-
Solar energy
This is the energy which the earth receives from the sun. As long as the sun exists, there will always be solar energy reaching the earth. Solar energy can be tapped in various ways. These include the following
- Generating electricity using photovoltaic solar cells.
- Generating electricity using concentrated solar power
- Heating and cooking using parabolic mirrors that focus the sun’s ray to a central position.
- Heating and cooling using solar chimneys.
Advantages
- The source of energy is absolutely free.
- It is clean there is no harmful gases released.
- Can be used to generate power in rural and remote areas where there is no reach of the conventional form of energy.
Disadvantages
- Initial cost of cells.
- The sun does not shine all time.
-
Wind energy
The power of the wind is harnessed to propel the blades of wind turbine attached to an electric generator which produces electricity.
Wind energy is an effective alternative source of energy in areas where the velocity of wind flow is high.
Advantages
- It is a clean form of energy
- The source of power generation i.e. wind is free of cost.
Disadvantages
- Require vast amounts of land as machines have to be carefully arranged so that their operation is not impaired.
- They produce a lot of noise. They cannot be used near residential areas
- Can only be used in areas which experience high winds, which mean that it cannot be as a source of energy anywhere.
Geothermal energy
This is the energy tapped from the heat inside the earth. Hot rocks residing in the core of the earth heat water which emits on the surface of the earth with pressure and as steam
This pressurized steam can be used to run steam turbines to generate electricity.
Advantages
- It is free of cost.
- With a proper power generation system in place, no harmful by-products are produced.
- Tidal energy
The surface of the earth is 75% covered by water bodies especially oceans. The tides in water rise and fall due to gravity of sun and moon.
Since we know about how the position of moon changes we can predict the rise and fall of tides.
Advantages
- It is free of cost.
- No harmful gases released during its operation.
Disadvantages
Not all areas have water bodies.
- Biogas
Biogas is a renewable energy source that is produced through the anaerobic digestion of organic matter, such as agricultural waste, animal manure, and municipal solid waste. Here are some key points about biogas fuel:
Composition: The main component in biogas is methane. Other gases which can be present in biogas are carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide and water vapor.
Production: The organic matter is broken down by anaerobic bacteria in the absence of oxygen, producing biogas as a byproduct. This process takes place in an airtight container called a biodigester.
What is a Biodigester?
A biodigester is a sealed tank or container where anaerobic digestion takes place.
Structure of a Biodigester:
Inlet:
This is where the organic materials (feedstock) like food scraps, animal manure, and agricultural waste are added to the digester.
Digestion Chamber:
The main body of the digester where anaerobic digestion occurs. This chamber is designed to be airtight to create an oxygen-free environment needed by anaerobic bacteria to break down the organic matter.
Gas Holder:
A section or component of the digester where the biogas is collected after being produced during the digestion process. Some digesters have a separate structure for gas storage.
Outlet:
The point where the digested material, often called digestate, is removed. This material can be used as a nutrient-rich fertilizer for plants.
Mixing Mechanism:
Some biodigesters have a system to stir or mix the contents, ensuring that the bacteria evenly break down the organic material.
Uses of Biogas
Biogas can be used for various purposes, including:
- Electricity generation: Biogas can be used to power generators and produce electricity.
- Heating: Biogas can be used directly for heating homes and buildings, or for industrial processes.
- Transportation fuel: Biogas can be purified and used as a transportation fuel, similar to natural gas.
- Cooking: Biogas can be used for cooking, similar to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Advantages:
- Renewable and sustainable: Biogas is derived from organic matter, which can be continuously replenished.
- Waste management: Biogas production helps in the disposal and management of organic waste.
- Environmental benefits: Biogas production reduces greenhouse gas emissions and potential methane release from the decomposition of organic matter.
- Cost-effective: Biogas production can be a cost-effective source of energy, especially in rural and agricultural areas.
- Reduces reliance on fossil fuels
- The remains after biogas plant has extracted all the methane they can be used as fertilizer.
Challenges:
- Requires a constant supply of organic feedstock for continuous production.
- Purification and upgrading: Biogas may require purification and upgrading to remove impurities and increase the methane content for certain applications, which can be energy-intensive.
- Initial setup costs for biogas plants can be high
- Odor emissions and potential air pollution from biogas plants
- Methane leakage during production and utilization can contribute to global warming
- Biomass
Biomass refers to organic matter in living plant material. This type of energy is made up of organic compounds that are produced in growing plants.
- Biodiesel fuels are alkyl esters manufactured from vegetable oil such as soya bean, sunflower, coconut and cotton seed.
Also from animal fat such as beef and sheep tallow. The oil or fat is combined with alcohol in the presence of a catalyst.
Disadvantages
- pollutes the air by emmiting sulphur dioxide.
- Require vast land for planting fuel crops.
- Leads to the destruction of natural habitats of some living organisms.
- Bioethanol
It is obtained by the fermentation of sugar from sources such as waste wheat starch and molasses (end-product of sugar production).
Advantages
Reduces pollutants.
Disadvantages
- The cost of processing is high.
- Produces less energy per gram.
THE CONCLUSION
Advantages of Renewable Sources of energy | Disadvantages of Renewable Sources Energy |
Reliable/sustainable (inexhaustible and can be replenished naturally) | Vulnerable to changes in weather conditions. |
Stable energy prices. | High initial costs of installing renewable energy systems |
Low cost operation. Manufacturing, maintenance, research and development, installation | Require a large space to set up. This competes with other land uses such as agriculure. |
Job creation and economic benefits. | Limited supply of energy |
Energy independence. Dependence on foreign fossil-producing contries will greatly be reduced. | Not available in all areas. |
Reduced greenhouse gas emissions. | |
Further studies on the Renewable Sources of Energy
You may prefer to revise the renewable sources of energy by clicking Renewable sources of energy, the page which was submitted by Kipepeo B.