`How does technology influence resource definition? Flashcards
flint was a valuable resource in prehistoric times
needed to make tools and generate fire by early hunters
today flint has little use
isn’t valuable
uranium was discovered in
1979
1890’s uranium main use was
colouring glass
1930’s uranium
research showed it was fissile and could release huge amounts of energy. can control a fission inside a nuclear reactor
2008 uranium how many reactos built?
435 worldwide in 30 countries providing 17% worlds electricity
2006 uranium which 3 countries accounted for nearly 60% uranium production?
Canada, Australia and Kazakhstan
coal cleaning technology
- removes mineral matter from mined coal to produce a cleaner product
- can reduce carbon content by 50%
reducing sulphur oxides (clean coal technology)
flue gas desulphurosiation can cut emissions by >90%
coal gassification
£££ but gasifies coal to produce a clean synthetic hydrogen gas
carbon capture and storage
captures co2 by coal burning and then stores it underground. yet to be made available on a larger scale