Energy and Place and Essential Questions
Joint Scientific Statement
Chemically, what is natural gas? Your answer should include a classification as an element, compound or mixture, the appropriate chemical formula(s) and percentages if relevant.
Chemically, natural gas (methane) is a hydrocarbon gas mixture consisting of methane, alkanes and a small amount of carbon dioxide. Natural gas (methane) consists of 75% methane CH4, 15% ethane C2H6 and 5% hydrocarbons. When the compounds combine they create a mixture called methane. Natural gas is also known as methane due to its high methane content. Methane has a chemical formula of CH4. When combusted methane has a chemical formula: CH4(g) + 2 O2(g) è CO2(g) + 2 H2O(I).
"Chemical of the Week -- Methane." N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2014. <http://scifun.chem.wisc.edu/chemweek/methane/methane.html>.
o How is groundwater affected by natural gas extraction through horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing?
When gas companies extract natural gas from the earth, they pump a liquid mixture of 90% water, 9.5% sand and .5% of other chemicals into the bedrock, breaking up the rock and allowing the natural gas to flow out freely. This process is contained in a well casing which is inserted below the water table. This gap between the casing and the earth is cemented. This process is repeated until a proper depth is achieved. When the casings are overused or not installed properly they can cause the casing to fracture, releasing the chemicals into the bedrock around the water tables. An estimated 10 – 90 percent of the liquid pumped into the horizontal drill wells is returned to the surface leaving an amount of harsh chemicals in the ground. These harsh chemicals include hydrogen fluoride, Naphthalene (carcinogen), sulfuric acid and formaldehyde. When these chemicals find their way through a cracked casing they can disperse and find themselves in a larger body of water, they disperse over a large area. Horizontal drilling can increase this dispersion by expanding the area of the fracking process. If these chemicals get into drinking water they can contaminate it, making it unusable.
Mittmeyer, Hannah. "Fracking & well casing failure." FrackWire. N.p., 27 June 2013. Web. 25 Apr. 2014. <http://frackwire.com/well-casing-failure/>.
• Describe the process of combustion of natural gas.
Natural gas is a hydrocarbon gas mixture that consists of several combustible gases; such a carbon dioxide, methane and nitrogen. Natural gas is primarily comprised of methane, which is highly combustible. When a heat source is applied to the natural gas molecule (CH4) the molecules begin to excite and move very fast. The molecules then combine with 2 oxygen (O2) molecule and the actual combustion occurs. This is when the hydrocarbon (methane) burns with the excess air. This excess air means that there is more ir than is required for the reaction resulting in the carbon turning into carbon dioxide (which is one of the byproducts of combustion). The other byproduct of this reaction is water. (H2O) Below is the chemical formula for this reaction.
methane + oxygen carbon dioxide + water + energy
CH4(g) + 2O2(g) CO2(g) + 2H2O(l)
"Products from oil." N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2014. <http://www.gcsescience.com/o30.htm>.
o What is the greenhouse effect and how is it related to global climate change?
The greenhouse effect is a process where the radiation from the planets surface is absorbed by the atmospheric greenhouse gases and is then radiated once again in all directions. This effects the global climate change because the re-radiation caused from the greenhouse gases is causing an increase in global temperatures, and because this radiation is constantly growing and never really slows down its process, the global temperature is gradually increasing. The biggest increase and change that we have notice form the greenhouse gases is the polar ice caps, which have continually begun to melt. Another are that we have seen this change is the snow pack in our own backyard. With higher temperatures, moisture that would have normally turned to snow no longer does, causing shorter seasons and quicker runs offs. All of these things are a byproduct of greenhouse gases which we have seen an increase in over the past few years.
‘Greenhouse Effect." Wikipedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_effect>.
Chemically, what is natural gas? Your answer should include a classification as an element, compound or mixture, the appropriate chemical formula(s) and percentages if relevant.
Chemically, natural gas (methane) is a hydrocarbon gas mixture consisting of methane, alkanes and a small amount of carbon dioxide. Natural gas (methane) consists of 75% methane CH4, 15% ethane C2H6 and 5% hydrocarbons. When the compounds combine they create a mixture called methane. Natural gas is also known as methane due to its high methane content. Methane has a chemical formula of CH4. When combusted methane has a chemical formula: CH4(g) + 2 O2(g) è CO2(g) + 2 H2O(I).
"Chemical of the Week -- Methane." N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2014. <http://scifun.chem.wisc.edu/chemweek/methane/methane.html>.
o How is groundwater affected by natural gas extraction through horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing?
When gas companies extract natural gas from the earth, they pump a liquid mixture of 90% water, 9.5% sand and .5% of other chemicals into the bedrock, breaking up the rock and allowing the natural gas to flow out freely. This process is contained in a well casing which is inserted below the water table. This gap between the casing and the earth is cemented. This process is repeated until a proper depth is achieved. When the casings are overused or not installed properly they can cause the casing to fracture, releasing the chemicals into the bedrock around the water tables. An estimated 10 – 90 percent of the liquid pumped into the horizontal drill wells is returned to the surface leaving an amount of harsh chemicals in the ground. These harsh chemicals include hydrogen fluoride, Naphthalene (carcinogen), sulfuric acid and formaldehyde. When these chemicals find their way through a cracked casing they can disperse and find themselves in a larger body of water, they disperse over a large area. Horizontal drilling can increase this dispersion by expanding the area of the fracking process. If these chemicals get into drinking water they can contaminate it, making it unusable.
Mittmeyer, Hannah. "Fracking & well casing failure." FrackWire. N.p., 27 June 2013. Web. 25 Apr. 2014. <http://frackwire.com/well-casing-failure/>.
• Describe the process of combustion of natural gas.
Natural gas is a hydrocarbon gas mixture that consists of several combustible gases; such a carbon dioxide, methane and nitrogen. Natural gas is primarily comprised of methane, which is highly combustible. When a heat source is applied to the natural gas molecule (CH4) the molecules begin to excite and move very fast. The molecules then combine with 2 oxygen (O2) molecule and the actual combustion occurs. This is when the hydrocarbon (methane) burns with the excess air. This excess air means that there is more ir than is required for the reaction resulting in the carbon turning into carbon dioxide (which is one of the byproducts of combustion). The other byproduct of this reaction is water. (H2O) Below is the chemical formula for this reaction.
methane + oxygen carbon dioxide + water + energy
CH4(g) + 2O2(g) CO2(g) + 2H2O(l)
"Products from oil." N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2014. <http://www.gcsescience.com/o30.htm>.
o What is the greenhouse effect and how is it related to global climate change?
The greenhouse effect is a process where the radiation from the planets surface is absorbed by the atmospheric greenhouse gases and is then radiated once again in all directions. This effects the global climate change because the re-radiation caused from the greenhouse gases is causing an increase in global temperatures, and because this radiation is constantly growing and never really slows down its process, the global temperature is gradually increasing. The biggest increase and change that we have notice form the greenhouse gases is the polar ice caps, which have continually begun to melt. Another are that we have seen this change is the snow pack in our own backyard. With higher temperatures, moisture that would have normally turned to snow no longer does, causing shorter seasons and quicker runs offs. All of these things are a byproduct of greenhouse gases which we have seen an increase in over the past few years.
‘Greenhouse Effect." Wikipedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_effect>.
Opening statement:Fracking for natural gas found in shale beds is a clean, safe and abundant source of energy. When natural gas was discovered we realized the potential for clean abundant energy. At the time the technology for extracting the gas was not that great, but with advances in fracking technologies we are now able to extract the gas in a clean, safe, cost effective way that reduces the footprint the fracking wells have on the terrain; all while delivering clean energy to the citizens of the United States. The common misconception people have with fracking is that is presents a danger to the environment. My opponents will state that the extraction process-fracking- pollutes the water and destroys the land. This however is not true. Yes there have been cases where chemicals have escaped from the fracking casing, but this is not because of the fracking process, this is because of a cracked well casing; fracking sends the water solution far below the water table, thousands of feet below bed rock. At this level the water has no chance of coming to the surface. My proof, natural gas. If we have to break up the rock in order to extract a molecule much smaller than water, the water has no chance of working its way to the surface. No chance of penetrating the water table and no chance of polluting your drinking water. And with new safety standards the chance of well casings breaking, is becoming an almost unheard of occasion. As for the land, yes fracking pads do cover the land around Durango, but let ne ask you something. What is this land being used for otherwise? Houses? No. Grazing cattle? No. Creating jobs, clean, reliable and cheap energy? Yes. Last year in the US alone the drilling and fracking industry supported 360,000 direct jobs, 537,000 jobs in supplying the fracking and drilling industry and more than 850,000 jobs outside of the industry. Natural gas is a clean, safe and reliable source of energy that creates jobs, boosts the economy and provides power to citizen across the country.
Closing statement:
Natural gas is a necessity in the United States. It creates a clean, reliable and safe source of energy to power homes and businesses across the country. Yes there have been some disadvantages associated with the extraction of natural gas but those disadvantages are far overweighed by the advantages of natural gas. Every year over a million people are employed by the industry, helping to build the economy and build a more sound future. Natural gas is reliable; it does shut off when the sun goes down or when the water slows. It creates less than half the amount of Carbon Emissions coal power plants produce and it does not leave radioactive waste for future generations to deal with. Until reliable, renewable energy sources are improved upon natural gas is the past, present and future of clean energy production in the United States.
Closing statement:
Natural gas is a necessity in the United States. It creates a clean, reliable and safe source of energy to power homes and businesses across the country. Yes there have been some disadvantages associated with the extraction of natural gas but those disadvantages are far overweighed by the advantages of natural gas. Every year over a million people are employed by the industry, helping to build the economy and build a more sound future. Natural gas is reliable; it does shut off when the sun goes down or when the water slows. It creates less than half the amount of Carbon Emissions coal power plants produce and it does not leave radioactive waste for future generations to deal with. Until reliable, renewable energy sources are improved upon natural gas is the past, present and future of clean energy production in the United States.
Project Reflection:· The motion I was debating with my group was, “Natural gas found in shale formations and coal bed methane formations is a cheap, clean and abundant source of energy that should be a cornerstone of our energy portfolio for the next several decades.” I was placed in the group that was arguing for the debate. We were trying to justify the statement above as an accurate statement.
· When the topic first came up I was against the idea of fracking. I thought that every time someone fracked they released chemicals into the water. This however, as I proved in my debate was not the case. I realized that the media tends to over exaggerate fracking issues and my knowledge before research reflected that. My final position on the case is that, if done correctly, and until renewable and reliable energy sources are found, natural gas extracted through fracking is the clean, safe and reliable way to go.
· My position on the motion changed throughout this research project as soon as I discovered hard facts on the case. Yes, I did find evidence of fracking polluting the water but I found more convincing evidence for fracking. For instance, over 29 billion dollars of revenue has been generated in Colorado alone. 1.5 billion of that is tax generated revenue, going into schools, roads and many other crucial parts to our state. One of the most crucial pieces of decision switching evidence that I found was that the actual fracking process doesn’t pollute the ground water. Fracking forces a water solution deep under miles of solid rock, leaving no chance for the solution to return to the surface. The main source of a leak would be a crack in the well casing above or in the water table, leading to a water contamination problem.
· For the motion:
-Fracking, if done correctly, releases more potential energy per acre than an open pit coal mine.
-Fracking occurs deep below the water table meaning it is not the cause of water pollution.
Against the motion:
-Fracking pumps millions of gallons of toxic chemicals into the ground.
-Spills, as a result of faulty fracking equipment, can contaminate large quantities of water. Sometimes requiring people to relocate their wells.
· One question I still have is, “Why, if fracking is so successful have they not come up with a fracking solution that contains no nasty chemicals?” It would not only shut down the largest argument against fracking but would most likely allow fracking to be used in more locations due to water restrictions. Another question I have is, “Why is there not a significant effort to re-vegetate dead well pads?”
· If I argued for the side of the debate that I agree with, which I did, I would be able to intellectually engage with someone on the opposing side my using pathos. Over 1 million jobs are created as a direct result of fracking. Jobs that help feed families, build schools, roads and parks, jobs that make your life easier. Which is better? A few acres of land set up with fracking equipment or a million people out of jobs? The choice is yours, you decide the future.
· My environmental ethic and sense of place don’t relate to my humanities class. This was one of the biggest struggles I had with this project; finding similarities between the two of them. My humanities project focused on the overuse of land by means of cattle grazing and I guess it could be said that there are some similarities between that and the large amount of wells around Durango, but I was in support of fracking so that does not really relate very strongly to my environmental ethic in humanities.
· I think my debate went very well. I had a significant amount of knowledge prior to the debate which helped me shut down my opponents claims throughout the debate. I do however think it could have gone better. I could have come more prepared providing hard facts for my group but I also think that my two group members could have come more prepared as well. I ended up being the only one in my group with both an opening and closing statement and I was primarily the one doing most of the talking. If I could do it again I would have liked to have had more time to debate the motion. I feel like we were restricted by our time and this limited the quality of our debate.
· The first statement I checked was mine and it stated, “29.6 billion dollars of revenue have been generated for the Colorado economy as a product of the oil and gas industry.” This statement was made by the University of Colorado Boulder Leeds School of Business. The second statement I checked was also mine and stated, “1.6 billion dollars in tax revenue has been made for Colorado by the oil and gas industry. This statement was made by the University of Colorado Boulder as well. Both statements were checked and determined to be accurate.
· When the topic first came up I was against the idea of fracking. I thought that every time someone fracked they released chemicals into the water. This however, as I proved in my debate was not the case. I realized that the media tends to over exaggerate fracking issues and my knowledge before research reflected that. My final position on the case is that, if done correctly, and until renewable and reliable energy sources are found, natural gas extracted through fracking is the clean, safe and reliable way to go.
· My position on the motion changed throughout this research project as soon as I discovered hard facts on the case. Yes, I did find evidence of fracking polluting the water but I found more convincing evidence for fracking. For instance, over 29 billion dollars of revenue has been generated in Colorado alone. 1.5 billion of that is tax generated revenue, going into schools, roads and many other crucial parts to our state. One of the most crucial pieces of decision switching evidence that I found was that the actual fracking process doesn’t pollute the ground water. Fracking forces a water solution deep under miles of solid rock, leaving no chance for the solution to return to the surface. The main source of a leak would be a crack in the well casing above or in the water table, leading to a water contamination problem.
· For the motion:
-Fracking, if done correctly, releases more potential energy per acre than an open pit coal mine.
-Fracking occurs deep below the water table meaning it is not the cause of water pollution.
Against the motion:
-Fracking pumps millions of gallons of toxic chemicals into the ground.
-Spills, as a result of faulty fracking equipment, can contaminate large quantities of water. Sometimes requiring people to relocate their wells.
· One question I still have is, “Why, if fracking is so successful have they not come up with a fracking solution that contains no nasty chemicals?” It would not only shut down the largest argument against fracking but would most likely allow fracking to be used in more locations due to water restrictions. Another question I have is, “Why is there not a significant effort to re-vegetate dead well pads?”
· If I argued for the side of the debate that I agree with, which I did, I would be able to intellectually engage with someone on the opposing side my using pathos. Over 1 million jobs are created as a direct result of fracking. Jobs that help feed families, build schools, roads and parks, jobs that make your life easier. Which is better? A few acres of land set up with fracking equipment or a million people out of jobs? The choice is yours, you decide the future.
· My environmental ethic and sense of place don’t relate to my humanities class. This was one of the biggest struggles I had with this project; finding similarities between the two of them. My humanities project focused on the overuse of land by means of cattle grazing and I guess it could be said that there are some similarities between that and the large amount of wells around Durango, but I was in support of fracking so that does not really relate very strongly to my environmental ethic in humanities.
· I think my debate went very well. I had a significant amount of knowledge prior to the debate which helped me shut down my opponents claims throughout the debate. I do however think it could have gone better. I could have come more prepared providing hard facts for my group but I also think that my two group members could have come more prepared as well. I ended up being the only one in my group with both an opening and closing statement and I was primarily the one doing most of the talking. If I could do it again I would have liked to have had more time to debate the motion. I feel like we were restricted by our time and this limited the quality of our debate.
· The first statement I checked was mine and it stated, “29.6 billion dollars of revenue have been generated for the Colorado economy as a product of the oil and gas industry.” This statement was made by the University of Colorado Boulder Leeds School of Business. The second statement I checked was also mine and stated, “1.6 billion dollars in tax revenue has been made for Colorado by the oil and gas industry. This statement was made by the University of Colorado Boulder as well. Both statements were checked and determined to be accurate.
http://cvpdp.weebly.com/energy-and-place.html
Above is a link to my humanities sense of place project.
Above is a link to my humanities sense of place project.