Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Following are the advantages and disadvantages of using coal, oil, and natural gas as sources of energy.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Coal
Advantages
Disadvantages
Coal produces a relatively high
amount of energy per pound.
Surface mining scars the Earth and destroys habitat.
Prices are relatively inexpens-
ive and stable.
Subsurface mining can cause respiratory problems for workers.
Technologies to generate elec-
tricity are readily available.
Sixty percent of mining operations are done deep beneath the Earth's sur-
face, increasing risks for mine collapses.
The estimated CO
2
(greenhouse gas) produced by an uncontrolled natural
fire burning in coal beds around the world is greater than all of the CO
2
pro-
duced from automobiles in the United States.
There is a large supply of un-
discovered coal.
Emissions can be reduced
with the use of current techno-
logical advancements.
Coal is a non-renewable energy source.
Delivery methods and pollution technologies can be costly.
Runoff pollutes the rivers, lakes and oceans.
Coal releases sulfur which can contribute to acid deposition and industrial
smog.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Crude Oil
Advantages
Disadvantages
Combustion of crude oil releases CO, CO
2
, and other emis-
sions.
There is established infrastructure for transport
and use as a fuel.
Crude oil can produce fairly high net-energy
compared to other products.
Crude oil is diminishing. Estimations are from 40 to 90 years.
Drilling, storing, processing, and transporting crude oil can
cause a disruption to ecosystems.
Crude oil has a proven processing system.
Products have many uses.
Used oil is difficult to recycle.
Spills can be devastating to ecosystems and the economy.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Natural Gas
Advantages
Disadvantages
Natural gas is in a relative abundance.
Natural gas is a non-renewable energy source.
Delivery transport systems already exist.
Combustion of natural gas releases CO
2
.
When pressurized, liquefied natural gas is extremely danger-
ous and can result in extreme explosions (BLEVE).
Natural gas has high net-energy per volume.
Natural gas emissions are cleaner burning than
coal and oil.
Environmental damage can occur from extraction and
pipelines, including releasing contaminated wastewater.
