Counting Down: Our addiction to oil may have an end date

[Gregorian]

I thought this might appeal to some in the forum. I'm involved in an energy storage startup right now. It can't be done fast enough . Here's a few snips:

Well, here are the facts. The International Energy Agency (IAE) estimates the daily oil consumption rate is near 85 million barrels per day. Several other estimates are available, but they all come in relatively close to the official IAE numbers.

Yet society adapts. New technologies are invented, societies change their lifestyle, and people drive less when gas prices increase. However, technologies and lifestyle changes are not even coming close to putting a dent in the number of barrels consumed each day.

All the while, populations grow, nations become modernized (thus adding to their usage and demand), and transportation efficiencies improve so that every corner of the globe can become oil-addicts right alongside with us. If anything, the daily consumption rate will rise, rather than fall.

There are many aspects to petrochemicals which are “non-negotiable.” Even electric cars need oil, tires, plastics, assembly machines, and employees driving to work to build the “clean cars.” You probably would never go on an airplane powered by coal. Many developing nations are just getting into their reliance on oil, and are unlikely to adjust their economic growth trajectory anytime soon.



http://mahb.stanford.edu/blog/counting-down/

[tonyt53]

1. Uh, you are most definitely wrong about that coal-powered airplane

Coal to diesel technology is not new. Heat most organic products to a high temperature in the absence of oxygen and it will give off a gas. That gas is very, very similar to natural gas and can be used alternately. Heat that same coal to the high temperature, except this time add high pressures and you end up with a liquid. That liquid is an oil that can be used just like petroleum diesel, and it is not new technology.

The transportation/shipping industry will not change to natural gas. The "power" drop off is significant. That includes the airline industry, railroads, and trucking. Heavy equipment falls into the same category. The only suitable alternative right now is biodiesel - which oddly enough, is actually embraced by the oil companies because it makes diesel fuel better. So yes, airplanes can operate with coal. Over 20 years in the alternative and renewable fuels industry here.

[Gregorian]

2. The article speaks for me, but I actually had no idea what the coal airplane thing was about.

I'm usually pretty good at figuring that kind of thing out.

[misterhighwasted]

3. LITHIUM EXTRACTION IN THE CHILEAN NORTH/ Heavy environmental pollution

LITHIUM EXTRACTION IN THE CHILEAN NORTH
The lightest metal of the earth causes heavy pollution of the environment.

http://www.reduse.org/en/blog/lithium-extraction-chilean-north

Snip
The main producer of lithium in Chile is SQMthat produces about 21,000 tons of lithium carbonate annually. The second lithium company is the North American Sociedad Chilena del Litio (SCL). Together, they produce 58% of the world’s lithium.

 

For the production of lithium the brine (groundwater with high concentrations of minerals) is abstracted and pumped into evaporation ponds. Through various evaporation steps it is possible to achieve the required concentration of lithium to get lithium carbonate, which is then further processed.

Snip
IMPACTS OF LITHIUM MINING IN THE CHILEAN NORTH

Lithium mining in the Salar de Atacama brings about substantial direct impacts on the water reserves. The extraction of brine from the groundwater causes the level of groundwater and of the salt plains to drop. The main reason for this is that the water evaporates in the ponds to increase the lithium concentration, without any measure to capture and re-inject it into the groundwater. Consequently, meadows and wetlands run the risk of drying out, directly affecting fragile habitats for nesting birdlife and for traditional pasture.

 

The trucks used for transporting materials within the mining area and to the processing plantscause air pollution. Another damaging aspect is the dust clouds created throughout the mining processes. This dust contains high levels of minerals, particularly lithium carbonate, which are carried towards settlements (eg the towns of Socaire and Peine), pasture areas and protected areas. The dust causes health problems and contamination of the soil and water.



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Out of curiosity, I looked for environmental effects of Lithium mining.
This explains the process & impact, though there are other articles to research.

In conclusion, it appears we are damned if we do & damned if we don't.
Coal, oil, lithium. None of these resources should qualify as cleaner than the other since each brings its own hazard.
Driving a car with a gasoline & oil engine or driving one with a lithium battery, is tough to weigh which is actually cleaner .
I just find this an interesting comparison since not much noise has been made if the environmental hazards of lithium mining.

This link goes a bit more into future research.

http://www.kitco.com/ind/Albrecht/2014-12-16-How-Green-is-Lithium.html?sitetyhttp://www.kitco.com/ind/Albrecht/2014-12-16-How-Green-is-Lithium.html?sitetype=fullsitepe=fullsite

Here's a few more good links
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=mining+lithium+environmental+impact&hl=en&as_sdt=0&as_vis=1&oi=scholart&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjzucvkwNDMAhUC1h4KHbNhDhMQgQMIGDAA