Reference no: EM133333817
Chinese cities such as Beijing have been suffering from severe smog problems stemming from their local coal-fired power stations. A partial solution is being sought by supplying Beijing with synthetic natural gas that will be produced from coal near the mines in Inner Mongolia, over 400 km away.
1. What is the key chemical constituent of synthetic natural gas (SNG)?
2. Give one example of an atmospheric pollutant (excluding CO2) whose emissions would be reduced by the burning of natural gas rather than coal for electricity generation in locations close to cities. Explain briefly why this should be so.
3. It is planned to supply 4.0 billion (4.0 thousand million) cubic metres of SNG per year to Beijing. How much SNG would be required annually by a 2900 MW power station running 24 hours a day, 365 days a year? Assume that the heating value of SNG is 40 MJ m-3 and the power station will be the latest high efficiency type with a generation efficiency of 58%. Will the 4.0 billion cubic metres be enough?
4. The density of SNG at atmospheric pressure is approximately 0.70 kg m-3. What is the mass of 4.0 billion cubic metres of SNG in tonnes?
5. Roughly how many tonnes of coal (carbon) will need to be mined to supply this amount of SNG? (Hint: read the relevant text in Chapter 7 of Energy Systems and Sustainability carefully.)
6. What other important key natural resource will be needed in large quantities for the manufacture of SNG?