Unit 2 (Resources and Reserves) Flashcards
Define renewable resources (1)
A resource that can be replaced (or replenished) over time, or does not run out at all
Define non-renewable resources (1)
A resource that is extracted and used at a rate greater than they are replaced, leading to an overall decrease.
Define reserves (1)
Proven resources that can be economically and technically extracted (eg. drilling for oil, fracking, or extracting gold from seawater)
List reasons for the political and economic importance of reserves (4)
1) balancing economic benefits and political impacts
2) impact of extraction on local populations
3) environmental damage
4) decommissioning
List and distinguish between the waste mitigation strategies (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.”
Distinguish between the circular and linear economy (2)
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.
Describe waste-to-energy energy recovery (1)
the generation of electricity through the treatment (usually combustion) of non-recyclable waste.
What is the aim of the WEEE Recovery? (1)
to address the issue of electronic waste by improving the collection, treatment and recycling of these materials.
(Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment)
Define dematerialisation (1)
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.
Distinguish between dematerialisation and light-weighting/ de-weighting (2)
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
Define embodied energy (1)
the sum of all the energy required to produce and maintain a product or service.
includes:
- materials
- transport
- assembly
- recurring (maintenance)
- recycling
What are the advantages of the smart grid? (2)
- 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
Define CHP (1)
Combined Heat and Power
a technology that uses a single fuel source to produce both heat and electricity.
List the benefits and drawbacks for small-scale/ individual energy production (5 + 2)
- 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
List the advantages and disadvantages of INCREMENTAL solutions for clean technology (4 + 2)
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)
List the advantages and disadvantages of RADICAL solutions for clean technology (2 + 2)
PROS
- opportunity to innovate
- high potential for market growth (unique)
CONS
- R&D development costly and lengthy
- high risk
Outline the EOP technologies (4)
PASSIVE
ignore the pollution
REACTIVE
dilute and disperse
CONSTRUCTIVE
end-of-pipe treatment
PROACTIVE
change production methods
Distinguish between clean, green and eco design (3)
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
Outline LCA (1)
Life Cycle Analysis
tool for analysing the environmental impact of a design over the course of its manufacture, use and disposal.
Distinguish between C2C and C2G design (2)
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.
List the objectives for green design (3)
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
List the drivers for green design (3)
-legislation
-consumer pressure
CSR (corporate social responsibility)
