Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
phere caused by solar radiation and influenced by the rotation of the earth. The
heat on the crust of the earth that is accessible to human beings consists of solar
energy and geothermal heat.
According to Fig. 2.5, besides the renewable energy flows from sun, geother-
mal heat and planetary gravitation and motion, additional primary non-renewable
energy sources are the atomic nucleus. They can be used to generate heat either
through nuclear fusion or nuclear fission. The solar energy flow causes a large
number of additional types of energy manifestation and effects. Over the past
millions of years, among others the fossil biogenous energy carriers such as coal,
crude oil and natural gas have been generated through solar radiation. Together
with the energy from the atomic nucleus (i.e. the fossil mineral energy carriers)
they are the non-renewable energies or energy carrier available to human beings.
All other forms are renewable energies or energy carriers. One part of the energy
currently incident on the earth's surface from the sun is transformed within the
atmosphere and causes - among other effects - evaporation and precipitation,
wind and waves. The global radiation incident on the earth's surface heats up the
surface of the sea and of the land. This warming is responsible - among others -
for the oceanic currents and the plant growth. Together with these manifestations,
also geothermal heat and tidal energy caused by planetary gravitation and motion
are counted among the renewable energies.
Fusion
Light
Atomic nucleus
Heat
Fission
Hard coal and lignite
Mineral oil
Natural gas
Other fossil biogenous energy carrier
Past
solar radiation
Global radiation
Atmospheric heat
Ocean thermal energy
Heat in the earth`s surface
Evaporation and precipitation
Wi nd
Wav e s
Ocenic current
Biomass
Solar energy
Current
solar radiation
Geothermal heat
Heat
Planet gravitation
and motion
Tides
Energy deposits and sources
Energy manifestations and their effects
Fig. 2.5 Energy sources, types and effects (see /2-7/)
As the earth is almost in an energetic balance, the added energy has to be bal-
anced by a corresponding withdrawal. This energy balance of the earth is shown
in Fig. 2.6. The very largest part of the energy converted on the earth every year
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