Fossil fuels environmental concerns

From a technical and economic viewpoint, COCONUT is still, in 1984, the only viable medium term strategy for most industrial nations. However, there are two other factors which have arisen to complicate the issue. One is public concern over the safety of nuclear power and the disposal of radioactive waste. The other is similar public concern over acid rain and the so-called "greenhouse effect caused by the build-up of CO2 in the stratosphere both of these undesirable effects have been ascribed to the burning of fossil fuels. These concerns are the subject of extensive public debate and professional evaluation at present and it is not profitable to speculate on the outcome[6]. Clearly, conservation alone is an inadequate strategy and the renewables will be continuously monitored and reassessed in the light of additional financial burdens which may fall on nuclear power and coal-burning to produce technical solutions which satisfy the public as regards safety and environmental issues. 

Outlook. Total 1991 U.S. ink consumption was estimated at about 86 x 10 kg valued at over 3.0 biUion. The demand is estimated to grow at an average of about 3—4% per year in volume (26). The principal changes expected in the 1990s will continue to be in response to environmental and safety concerns and government regulations. The bulk of printing inks use raw materials based on fossil fuels, such as coal (qv) and petroleum (qv). 

Nuclear Reactors. Nuclear power faciUties account for about 20% of the power generated in the United States. Although no new plants are plaimed in the United States, many other countries, particularly those that would otherwise rely heavily on imported fuel, continue to increase their nuclear plant generation capacity. Many industry observers predict that nuclear power may become more attractive in future years as the price of fossil fuels continues to rise and environmental regulations become more stringent. In addition, advanced passive-safety reactor designs may help allay concerns over potential safety issues. 

Beyond the ATS program, the DOE is looking at several new initiatives to work on -with industry. One, Vision 21, aims to virtually eliminate environmental concerns associated with coal and fossil systems while achieving 60 percent efficiency for coal-based plants, 75 percent efficiency for gas-based plants, and 85 percent for coproduction facilities. Two additional fossil cycles have been proposed that can achieve 60 percent efficiency. One incorporates a gasifier and solid oxide fuel into a combined cycle the other adds a pyrolyzer with a pressurized fluidized bed combustor. Also under consideration is the development of a flexible midsize gas turbine. This initiative would reduce the gap between the utility-size turbines and industrial turbines that occurred during the DOE ATS program. 

The increasing cost of fossil fuels and the concerns related to their environmental impact and greenhouse gas effect, as well as the need of securing energy supplies, are accelerating the transition to a bio-based economy. Various R D tools need to be provided to realize this transition. The replacement of fossil fuel by bio-mass has been addressed in recent years worldwide. The EU, for example, has defined a target to double the share of renewable energy from 6% in 1997 to 12% by 2010 (COM 1997 599). 

Another problem associated with fossil fuel combustion is the greenhouse effect, which brings up critical environmental concerns. 

Environmental concerns have been raised in recent years dealing with greenhouse gases produced from the transportation industry. A contributing cause of these emissions is the combustion of fossil fuels such as diesel, gasoline and oil. A strong enviromnental initiative has pushed for the development of alternative fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel in pure and blended forms (Demirbas, 2008). 

Desulphurisation of hydrocarbon fuels has traditionally been carried out primarily as part of the refining and upgrading process. Accordingly by far the most advanced and best understood chemistry and technology is to be found in this area. Prior to the advent of major concern for environmental impact of fossil fuel combustion products relatively little was done to desulphurise hydrocarbon fuels (principally coal) prior to combustion and past effects of large scale consumption of high sulphur coals can still be seen in major industrialised areas around the world. 

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