Tutorial 1: Energy Use and Its Carbon Emissions

1. What were the main energy sources before the Industrial Revolution?
Main energy sources:
- Wood
- Charcoal
- Whale oil

2. Describe the significance of the steam engine in the Industrial Revolution.

- The steam engine, improved by James Watt, enabled the transition from human and
animal labor to machine power.
- This led to increased production, improved living conditions, and advancements in
transportation.
3. List the main contributors to carbon emissions in modern society.
- Processing of raw materials (29%)
- Electricity generation (26%)
- Agriculture, forestry, land use (22%)
- Transportation (16%)
- Heating and cooling (7%)

4. What are the main carbon emission sources in cement production? Describe.
- There are 2 main sources for carbon emissions from cement production
• Carbon emissions in cement production come from the burning of fossil fuels,
and
• CO2 released from limestone during heating in the kiln:
CaCO3  CaO + CO2

5. What are the main carbon emission sources in steel production? Describe.
- Combustion of fossil fuel (coke) to heat the iron ore to around 1700°C in the blast
furnace
- Around 1.8 tons of CO2 is produced for every ton of steel
6. Which modern material is the most energy intensive to manufacture and why?

7. Describe how electricity is generated from fossil fuels such as coal.

- Combustion of coal carried out in furnace
- Water is passed through a heat exchange at the furnace and is converted to steam
- High pressure of steam turns turbine to generate electricity
- Steam passes through a cooling tower and condenses back to water
8. How do oceans and land contribute to the absorption of global carbon emissions?
 - Oceans absorb approximately 26.5% of total human emissions (around 10.6 GtCO2
per year)
• Via absorption as CO2 is a weak acid and partially soluble in water. Carbonic
acid is formed
• Phytoplankton in water absorb CO2 by photosynthesis
- Land absorbs around 29% of global emissions (11.5 GtCO2 per year on average)
largely through photosynthesis of plants and soil acting as a carbon store of
decaying organic matter

9. In what ways do the modern energy consumption patterns differ from those before the
Industrial Revolution, and what lessons can we learn from the past to address current
carbon emission challenges?

10. What are the implications of the carbon emissions from the agriculture, forestry, and
land use sector, and how can sustainable practices in this sector mitigate climate
change?
- This sector contributes to about a quarter of global emissions, mainly in the form of
CH4 and N2O, which are potent GHG. Both of these GHG have very high global
warming potential (GWP).
- Sustainable practices like reforestation, sustainable land management, and reducing
livestock emissions can mitigate these effects.

11. What role do renewable energy sources like wind and solar play in reducing
carbon emissions, and what challenges must be overcome to increase their
adoption?
- Wind and solar energy significantly reduce carbon emissions by providing clean
energy alternatives to fossil fuels.
- Cost of these renewables are low and can be similar or even lower than fossil fuel.
- Challenges include the need for improved energy storage solutions, grid integration,
and overcoming initial investment costs.

12. Should we produce biofuels using food-based crops as a raw material? Provide 2
reasons to support your argument.
Yes.
- Can reduce carbon emission if life-cycle of biofuel properly managed. Plants
from biofuel absorb CO2 via photosynthesis when they grow
- Reduction of Fossil Fuel Dependence by increasing diversity of fuel sources
No.
- Increases competition for land availability for agriculture, increasing food prices
- Overall carbon emissions may be higher if entire life-cycle is considered.
Tutorial 2: Sources of Energy

Conventional Fossil Fuels:

1. Energy derived from fossil fuel sources are usually cheaper than those derived from
renewable sources. Why is this the case?
- Established Infrastructure: Fossil fuels have been used for energy production for
many decades, leading to well-established infrastructure and technologies that have
been optimized over time. This results in lower production costs compared to newer
renewable energy technologies
- Economies of Scale: The large-scale extraction, processing, and distribution of fossil
fuels benefit from economies of scale, reducing the cost per unit of energy produced•
- Subsidies: Fossil fuel industries often receive significant government subsidies,
which can lower the market price of fossil fuel energy
- High Initial Investment: The initial investment required for renewable energy
technologies can be significant, which can be a barrier to widespread adoption and
implementation

2. List the types of conventional fossil fuel, from the dirtiest to the cleanest in terms of
carbon emissions per unit energy obtained.
Coal  Oil  Natural Gas

3. List the types of conventional fossil fuel, from the cheapest to the most expensive, in
terms of cost.
Coal  Oil  Natural Gas

4. Explain how the usage of conventional fossil fuels can result in direct and indirect carbon
emissions

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5. Figure 1 below depicts a 3-Phase Separator that is used to for crude oil production. Name
the components exiting the separator at A, B and C.

Figure 1: A 3-Phase Separator for crude oil

A: Water
B: Crude Oil
C: Gas

6. What are the steps involved in the extraction and processing of crude oil and natural gas?
Process of obtaining crude oil
and natural gas
• Exploration (upstream)
• Drilling (upstream)
• Production (upstream)
• Transportation (upstream)
• Refining (downstream)
• Petrochemicals (downstream)

7. Besides contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, describe two other environmental

impacts from the usage of the following conventional fossil fuels:
a) Coal
- Environmental and habitat destruction from surface mining
- High sulfur and mercury content in coal, causing air pollution.

b) Oil
- Oil spills and leaks during oil extraction, leading to land or water pollution
- High sulfur and mercury content in coal, causing air pollution
- Offshore oil extraction leads to bioaccumulation of heavy metals such as mercury in
the food chain

c) Natural Gas
- Methane emissions from natural gas causes air pollution
- Contamination of water sources/water pollution (under certain conditions, certain
fractions of natural gas can be absorbed in water
- Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) in natural gas causes air pollution

2
Alternative Energy Sources:

8. Explain the process of nuclear fission and its role in electricity generation. What are two
main advantages and disadvantages of using nuclear energy?
Nuclear fission occurs when heavy nuclei are bombarded with neutrons, leading to their
splitting. The splitting of heavy atomic nuclei into smaller fragments releases a
substantial amount of energy. The heat generated from fission heats water, producing
steam that drives turbines for electricity.
Advantage:
- High Energy Output and Efficiency – Nuclear power plants generate a substantial
amount of energy efficiently, utilizing minimal fuel compared to traditional sources
- Low Greenhouse Gas emissions – Nuclear energy is recognized for its low carbon
footprint, making it a significant player in sustainable energy.
- Minimal air pollution
Disadvantage:
- Radioactive Waste Management – Ensuring the safe disposal and storage of spent fuel
is crucial for the nuclear industry to prevent environmental contamination.
- High initial cost - The construction of nuclear power plants requires substantial
upfront investment, which can be a significant barrier for investors.
- Risk of Nuclear Accidents and Their Potential Impact – Nuclear accidents can lead to
severe environmental damage, loss of life, and long-term health effects on
populations.
9. Describe how hydroelectric power is generated. What are some of the environmental
impacts associated with hydroelectric power plants?
Hydroelectric power is generated by utilizing the potential and kinetic energy of water
flowing from a higher to a lower point to turn turbines, which generate electricity
Environmental impacts:
- Requires flooding of large areas, leading to destruction of ecosystems and loss of
biodiversity
- Reduces water flow downstream, potentially affecting local water resources
- Releases significant indirect greenhouse gases like methane from decomposing
organic matter underwater

10. How do photovoltaic (PV) cells convert sunlight into electricity? List two advantages and
two disadvantages of using solar power.
Photovoltaic (PV) cells convert sunlight into electricity by using silicon-based
semiconducting materials. When sunlight hits the PV cells, it excites electrons, creating
an electric current.
Advantages:
- No direct greenhouse gas emissions during operation
- Cost of PV solar power systems has been dropping over the years
Disadvantages:
- Location dependent
- High initial installation cost

11. Apart from direct burning, list the different ways in which biomass can be utilised as fuel.
- Gasification (into syngas fuel)
• Biomass is heated at high temperatures (>700°C) with low amounts of O2 to
prevent combustion, a gas mixture containing H2 and CO is formed (syngas)
- Fermentation (into alcoholic fuel)

3
 • An anaerobic biological process which converts sugars such as glucose, fructose,
and sucrose into cellular energy, producing ethanol and carbon dioxide as by-
products.
- Transesterification of vegetable oil to into biodiesel
• A chemical process to convert vegetable oil (triglycerides) into biodiesel (fatty
acid alkyl esters) and glycerol, involving a reaction with an alcohol (like
methanol) in the presence of a catalyst.

12. Explain the process of biomass gasification and its significance in renewable energy
production. What are the primary advantages and disadvantages of biomass as a
renewable energy source?
Biomass gasification involves heating biomass at high temperatures (>700°C) with low
amounts of oxygen to prevent combustion, resulting in the formation of syngas (a mixture
of hydrogen and carbon monoxide). Syngas is combustible and can be used as a fuel for
power generation.
Simplified example reaction:
C6H12O6 + O2 + H2O → CO + CO2 + H2 + other species
Syngas is combustible and can be used as a source of fuel for power generation
Advantages:
- A renewable energy source that can be regenerated through natural processes,
providing a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.
- Reduces the amount of organic waste that ends up in landfills and promotes
sustainable energy practices
- Can be considered carbon neutral as the CO2 released during burning is balanced by
CO2 absorbed during its growth (depending of life cycle)
Disadvantages:
- Land and Resource Competition – competition for land between biomass crops and
food production
- Impact food security and resource allocation.

13. What are the main challenges in the transmission of electricity generated from renewable
sources? How can these challenges be addressed?
Main Challenges:
- Insufficient transmission capacity due to the distance between renewable energy
sources and population centres
- Intermittency of renewable sources like solar and wind, causing variability in energy
output
Solutions:
- Developing more efficient "utility-scale" batteries and smart grids to regulate and
store excess energy
- Building more and longer transmission lines to transport electricity from renewable
sources to where it is needed

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Tutorial 3: Process Heating Systems in Industries – Fired Heaters

Fundamentals of Fired Heaters:

1. What are the two main types of process heaters and their key characteristics?
I. Fired Heaters
• Direct transfer of heat from fuel to process (usually for raising temperature
of process fluid)
• High efficiency
• High achievable temperatures (800-850°C)
• High thermal duty
II. Boilers
• Indirect transfer of heat from fuel to process (fuel is used to generate steam
first)
• High energy content per unit quantity
• Typically limited to 250°C
2. Label the main sections and components of a fired heater in the figure below (A to H).

A: Convection Section
B: Transition Section
C: Radiant Section
D: Burner
E: Radiant Section Tubes
F: Damper
G: Stack
H: Shock Tubes

1 ASC307/EAO/TUT3/TCYY
Test 1 :
Topic I to 3

Tutorial 3 Question 4
kg02/ kg02/
Question 3 W +1
kg constituent kg fuel
.

A 1902 kg0z/
76 2%
lg constituent
w +1 C 2 664
kg fuel 2 030
.
. .

C 84 6 % . 2 664
. 2 .
254 H 6 2%. 7 937 . 0 .
492

H 10 .
9% 7 .
937 0 .
865 S 1 8%
. 0 .
998 0 018 .

S 0 7%
. 0 .
998 0 . 007 O2 6 9% .
- -
0 .
069

O 3 8% 0 038 2 471
-
>
-
. .
.

2 471
3 088
.

.
Theoretical Air =
0 235
.

Determine WH .

l of
. Air (other
gases negligent) = 10 .
51 kgAir/kg Fuel
Basis : 100
kg-mol remember! Actual Air = 10 51 . X 1 .
25

f
I
mol/ kg-mol Mr kg WH . = 13 14 .

KgAir/kg fuel ,

N2 78 % 78 28 1184 76 5 %
.

02 21 % 21 32672 23 5 %
. Question 5
output
2856 a
Efficiency in put
.
=

3
. 088 2000000
Theoretical air =
0 235 .
0 8 .
=
input
= 13 14 .

KgAir/kgfuel input =
2500000 Btu/hr
Ib
2500000Btn x
Actual Air = 13 14. X 1 .
15 coal consumption = ur 12700 Btu

= 15 11 .

kg Air/kg fuel , I = 196 85 16 fuel/hr .

13 141bAir X 196 85 lb fuel

required
.
.

Air =
Ib fuel hu
product/
gprocent Kkg
Flue
b. W +. gas fuel = 2586 61/bAir/hr, .

C 84 6 % .
CO2 3 664 . 100
3

gproduct product
.

H 10 .
9% H20 8 937 .
0 . 974 b W+ !
Totalo a
S 0 7% .
SO2 1 .
998 0 .
014 CO2 76 21 . .
3 664 . 2 .
792 2 792
.
19 55 % .

3 8% 5%
o (i) Moisture 3 0 035
- - - >
-
. . .

Na 11 559
.
H20tii) Air -
-
0 . 171 0 .
76 5 32%
.

02 0 .
463 Yiii) From H 6 2% . 8 937.
0 554 .

N = 15 11 . x 0 765. 16 .
1111 SOL 1 8%
.
1 .
998 0 .
036 0 .
036 0 . 25 %

= 11 559 .

kgNz/kg Fuel Na-(i)

Hir - -
10 052 .

10 078 70 56%
.
.

Oc (unreacted) =
(13 . 14 X0 15) (0 235). .
vii) Fuel 2 . 6% -
0 . 026

617 0 617 4 32%

0
463kgO2/kg fuel 02 0
- . .
=
- .
.

14 283 .

C . Wit Mr mol mol/

CO2 3 100 .
44 0 0705
.
12 76 . % H20 in Air =
0 013 .
1b H20
Ib Air xA
HcO 0 .
974 18 0 .
0541 9 801 .
. = 0 .
171 IbHz0/lbfuel

SO2 0 .
014 64 0 .
000219 0 04. % N2 in Air =
13 14 .
x 0 765 .

N2 11 559 .
28 0 .
413 74 78 % .
= 10 05 .
1bN2/lb fuel
02 0 .
463 32 0 0145
. 2 63.
.

1. & excess = 10 51 X 0 25 X .
. 0 235 .

0 .
552319 - 0 .
617 Ib O2 Ibfuel
 Question 6 (BTU/f+ 3) N2 in Air = 11 53 x 0 78
↑
. .

Heat of BTW
A voll. combustion output = 8 993 ftSN2 /f+3 fuel
.

CH4 86 4% .
1013 2 . 875 40 . @ excess =
10 . 296X0 . . 21
12 X 0

CH6 8 4% . 1792 150 53 .

= 0 259 . f+302/ftfuel

C3H6 1 5%. 2336 35 04 .

Vol voll . /mol).
CHio 1 1%. 3370 37 07 .
CO2 1 142
.
9 15 % .

N2 0 51. .
-
-

H20 2 08 . 16 67 % .

2 1% N2
-

8 998 72 11 %
-

CO2 . .
.

1098 04 BTU/ft3 .
02 0 .
259 2 08 %
.

3 12 479
f Air/
.

3
f+ Air/
b. voll. f+ 3 constituent f+ 3 fuel B+ u/1b-mol .
oF
Btu/lb flue
CH4 86 4% . . 528
9 8 232
.
Question 9 J Y gas
1b/lb 1b-mol/ sensible
CH6 8 4% .
16 .
675 1 401
.
W +l .

fluegas
Mr 16 fluegas Cp AT Heat

C3H6 1 5%.
21 439 . 0 .
322 CO2 19 55 %
.
0 .
1955440 0044410 2420 . .
19 02 .

CHio 1 1%. 30 967 . 0 341 .

H20 5 321 .
. 0 0532
.
18 0 .
00296 8 3428
.
10 32 .

N2 0 51..
- -

SO2 0 25 %. 0 0025
.

64 0 .
0000391 10 7 .
↑20 0 .
176

2 1% N2 70 56 % 7056
-

0252 75 15
-

CO2 .
· 0 .
28 0 .
7: 420 .

10 296 ft3 Air/f+3 fuel

.

O 4 . 321 0 .
0432 320 001357 2 .
. 428 4 08 .

108 746 . .

Question 7 94 56
-
.

output
Total flue
Efficiency
=

2000000
in put
gas = 14 283 Ib .

fluegas/Ibfuel
0 8
Heating Value 12700 Btu/l
=
.

input =

Fuel input =
2500000 Btu/hr
f+3
(Energy from Fuel
2500000 BU
Fuel input rate =
n
*
1098 04 BTU .
Am+ of H20 = 0 0532 .
1bHz0/lb fuel
1040 0 0532 lb
BTU
.

= 2276 78 . +3 fuel/h Latent Heat = ,

x
Ib flue gas

Actual Air 10 296 X 1 12 55 328 BTU/ 16 flue

= =
gas
. .
.

= 11 53
.
+3 Air/ft3 fuel Heat loss =
Sensible heat + latent heat
2276 78ftsfuel
.
11 .
53 ftAir In
Air needed (min =
h
X
f+ 3 fuel "Gomin = 108 746 + 55 328 .
.

B +U 14 270 16 flue
.
gas
=
437 5 +3 Air/min , 164 074 * 16 fuel
=
Influegas
. .

=
2341 34 Btu/lb fuel .

2341 34
X 100 %
.

Question & Efficiency loss =

12700
product/ f+3 product/
3
f+
voil . Products ft3 constituent ft 3 fuel = 18 .
44 %
CH4 86 4 % .
CO2 I 0 .
864

H20 2 1 728
.
Question 10

C2H6 8 41. .
CO2 2 0 .
168 From Body :

H20 3 0 252
.
Radiative Loss 10 1714x109(850)[(230 + 460)* 180 + 4607 = .

C3H6 1 5 .
1
%

CO2 3 0 .
045 = 206356 Btu/h

H20 3 0 .
045 convective loss = 0 .
18(850) (230-8015
CtHio 1 1%
.

CO2 4 0 .
044 =
121940 Btu/h
055 From
Chimney
0
H20 5
.
:

NC 0 5%. NalFuel) 0 005 .

Radiative Loss 10 1714x109(200) [ (515 + 460)* 750 + 460]
= .

N2 (Air) -
8 993
.
=
286593 Btu/h
CO2 2 . 11 CO2 -

0 021 .

convective loss = 0 .
18(200) (515-501
02 0 259
-

129690 Btu/n
-
-
.
=
 Total Heat Loss = 206356 + 121940 + 286593 + 129690 Question 15

= 744579 Btu/h ,1

Question 11

From Body :

Radiative Loss 10 1714x109(850)[(230 + 460)* (100 + 460, I

= .

=
186959 Btu/h
convective loss = 0 .
18(850) (230-1001
100759 Btu/h
=

From
Chimney :

Radiative Loss 10 1714x109(200) [ (515 + 460)* 170 + 460]

= .

=
282736 Btu/h
convective loss = 0 .
18(200) (515-701
=
122306 Btu/h

Total Heat Loss =

186959 + 100759 + 282736 + 122306
= 692760 Btu/hy

Question 12
20462 a
=x19604BTH 1000kgx2
.

x
Heat input kg 24h
IFnel) =
37816949 Btu/h ,1 Temperature rise = 6300 -
800 F
%
= 550 F

Question content 3%
13
Oxygen =

From Body : Efficiency

= So%
Radiative Loss 10 1714x109(1400)[(250 + 4601* 178 + 4605]
=
Heat loss flue 3781694911-0 8)
gas
.
= .

=
408745 Btu/h = 7563390 Btu/h , 1

convective loss = 0 .
18(1400) (250 - 78)
241049 Btu/h Question 16
=

From
Chimney :
Input :

Radiative Loss 10 = . 1714 x 109(350)[(500 + 460)! 168 + 460] -

Fuel >
-
37816949 Btu/h
=
462898Btu/h
convective Loss = 0 .
18(350)(500 - 6815 Output :

=
205740Btu/h -
Process Fluid >
-
28200 , 000 BTU/h
Total Heat Loss =
408745+ 241049 + 462898 + 205740 -

Fluegas >
-
7563390 BTU/h
= 1318432 Btu/hy
-
Surface loss >
-
1318432 BTU/h

Total > -
37081822 Btu/h

Question 14
6000001b 0 47 BTU 37 816949-37081822
1180-80 x 100 %
.

% Difference
Heatgained by
, x =
=
n Ib OF
.
37816949

Process Fluid = 28200 , 000 BTU/h = 1 .

94 %