Unit 2 (Resources and Reserves)

Question 1

Define renewable resources (1)

Answer 1

A resource that can be replaced (or replenished) over time, or does not run out at all

Question 2

Define non-renewable resources (1)

Answer 2

A resource that is extracted and used at a rate greater than they are replaced, leading to an overall decrease.

Question 3

Define reserves (1)

Answer 3

Proven resources that can be economically and technically extracted (eg. drilling for oil, fracking, or extracting gold from seawater)

Question 4

List reasons for the political and economic importance of reserves (4)

Answer 4

1) balancing economic benefits and political impacts
2) impact of extraction on local populations
3) environmental damage
4) decommissioning

Question 5

List and distinguish between the waste mitigation strategies (5)

Answer 5

RE-USE
utilising the product again in the same or different context.

RECYCLE
the use of waste materials to create a new product.

REPAIR
fixing or renewing worn out or broken components to a more functional state.

RECONDITION
repairing the product to “as-new” condition.

RE-ENGINEER
redesign of materials to improve performance, aka “upgrading.”

Question 6

Distinguish between the circular and linear economy (2)

Answer 6

LINEAR
resources are extracted, processed and then disposed of.

CIRCULAR
biological resources are extracted, processed, and then used to enrich the next generation.

technological resources are extracted, processed and then reprocessed for new products.

Question 7

Describe waste-to-energy energy recovery (1)

Answer 7

the generation of electricity through the treatment (usually combustion) of non-recyclable waste.

Question 8

What is the aim of the WEEE Recovery? (1)

Answer 8

to address the issue of electronic waste by improving the collection, treatment and recycling of these materials.

(Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment)

Question 9

Define dematerialisation (1)

Answer 9

the strategy of “doing more with less.”

seeks to reduce the energy and materials used in the production, use and end-of-life of a product, in order to reduce environmental impact.

Question 10

Distinguish between dematerialisation and light-weighting/ de-weighting (2)

Answer 10

Half trick question, light-weighting is a form of dematerialisation.

Dematerialisation: seeks to reduce energy and materials

Light-weighting: reducing materials used in final production of the product

Question 11

Define embodied energy (1)

Answer 11

the sum of all the energy required to produce and maintain a product or service.

includes:
- materials
- transport
- assembly
- recurring (maintenance)
- recycling

Question 12

What are the advantages of the smart grid? (2)

Answer 12

• uses information to create more accurate picture of energy production and consumption (which can be used to better manage power distribution or consume with lower rates)
• allow for small scale and sustainable energy producers to provide power

Question 13

Define CHP (1)

Answer 13

Combined Heat and Power

a technology that uses a single fuel source to produce both heat and electricity.

Question 14

List the benefits and drawbacks for small-scale/ individual energy production (5 + 2)

Answer 14

• supplement to grid-power system
• lower envir. impact
• typically sustainable energy based
• can be scaled to meed needs of a single user
• possible to live off-grid

BUT

• high initial cost
• maintenance costs

Question 15

List the advantages and disadvantages of INCREMENTAL solutions for clean technology (4 + 2)

Answer 15

PROS

• able to exploit existing technologies, minimal changes to manufacturing processes
• quick response to new legislations
• low risk
• competitive

CONS

• small changes need to be made frequently to comply with changing regulations
• low potential for market growth (everyone is doing it)

Question 16

List the advantages and disadvantages of RADICAL solutions for clean technology (2 + 2)

Answer 16

PROS

• opportunity to innovate
• high potential for market growth (unique)

CONS

• R&D development costly and lengthy
• high risk

Question 17

Outline the EOP technologies (4)

Answer 17

PASSIVE
ignore the pollution

REACTIVE
dilute and disperse

CONSTRUCTIVE
end-of-pipe treatment

PROACTIVE
change production methods

Question 18

Distinguish between clean, green and eco design (3)

Answer 18

CLEAN
aims to reduce waste/ pollution via changes in production system

GREEN/ ECO
aims to reduce environmental impacts via changes in the design of a product

GREEN (re-engineer design)
- short timescale
- incremental changes
- low risk

ECO (re-design ENTIRE life cycle)
- long timescale
-great complexity, radical
- high risk

Question 19

Outline LCA (1)

Answer 19

Life Cycle Analysis

tool for analysing the environmental impact of a design over the course of its manufacture, use and disposal.

Question 20

Distinguish between C2C and C2G design (2)

Answer 20

Cradle to Cradle

seeks to consider and design for entire life cycle of a product, allowing an expired product to “re-enter” circular economy as a new product.

Cradle to Grave

seeks to consider and design for entire life cycle of a product, from extraction of materials to eventual disposal.

Question 21

List the objectives for green design (3)

Answer 21

MATERIALS
eg. increasing efficient use by reducing overall materials required, selecting non-toxic materials or minimising the overall number of different materials

ENERGY
eg. reducing the amount of energy required for production, or switching to sustainable/ renewable sources

POLLUTION
eg. reducing the negative impacts of manufacturing (clean technology), improving durability, or considering product end-of-life

Question 22

List the drivers for green design (3)

Answer 22

-legislation
-consumer pressure
CSR (corporate social responsibility)