Environmental Problems Flashcards
What is the main issues with burning fossil fuels in power stations?
Most fuels contain carbon and hydrogen during combustion they oxidise and are released into the atmosphere
If the fuel contains sulphur it will be released as sulphur dioxide when burnt
What is complete combustion?
When there’s plenty of oxygen and all the fuel burns
What is partial combustion?
Wh n there’s not enough oxygen and some of the fuel doesn’t burn
During this particles such as carbon monoxide are released
What are the key issues associated with acid rain?
Causes lakes to become acidic killing plants and animals
It kills trees and damages limestone buildings
How can acid rain be reduced?
Reduce usage of fossil fuels
Replace petrol and diesel with low sulphur versions
Power stations now have acid gas scrubbers to take the hateful gases out before their fumes into the atmosphere
What is the problem with global warming?
It’s a type of climate change and could cause severe flooding if ice caps melt
What is global dimming?
Less sunlight is reaching the surface of the earth due to particles of soot and ash layering the air when fossil fuels are burnt, these particles reflect light back into space
What are some alternative fuels being developed?
Ethanol
Biodiesel
Hydrogen gas
What are the pros of ethanol?
The co2 released when its burnt was taken in by the plant as it grew so it’s carbon neutral
What are the cons of ethanol?
Engines need to be converted to work with ethanol fuels and they aren’t widely available
What is ethanol?
It can be produced from plant material so it’s known as a biofuel
It’s made my fermentation plants and is used to power cars in some places
What is biodiesel?
Another type of biofuel
Produced from vegetable oils such as rapeseed oil it can be mixed to work on a Diesel engine
What are the pros of biodiesel?
Biodiesel are carbon neutral so engines don’t need to be converted
It produces less sulphite dioxide particles
What are the negatives of biodiesel?
We can’t make enough to completely replace diesel
It’s expensive to make
What is hydrogen gas?
Can be used to power vehicles
Get the hydrogen from the electrolysis of water
