Energy, Ecology, and the Environment
- 1st Edition - June 28, 1974
- Latest edition
- Author: Richard F. Wilson
- Language: English
Energy, Ecology, and the Environment discusses how our need for energy and the different means required to obtain it affect the environment and the harnessing of different natural… Read more
Energy, Ecology, and the Environment discusses how our need for energy and the different means required to obtain it affect the environment and the harnessing of different natural resources. The book also aims to show more efficient ways to use and generate energy. The book, after a brief introduction to the concept of energy, covers topics such as the different energy resources and the demands, costs, and policies regarding energy. The book also discusses the problems brought about by the production of energy such as the hazards to nature and man; environmental problems and pollution; and accidents and sabotage that it can bring about. Also tackled are issues such as the transport and disposal of wastes; the conversion of energy; and the regulation of the energy industry. The text is recommended for naturalists who would like to know more about the effects of the energy industry on the environment, as well as for energy scientists who are looking for alternative sources and ways to achieve clean energy.
ContentsPrefaceChapter I Energy Introduction Energy Consumption - A Brief History Environmental Effects The Concept of Energy Force Work Kinetic Energy The Units of Energy Potential Energy The Conservation of Energy Electrical Energy References General References Problems Chapter 2 Man's Energy Resources Solar Power The Sun's Radiation Harnessing Solar Power, I Harnessing Solar Power, II Harnessing Solar Power, III Some Conclusions Power from the Rivers and Seas Hydroelectric Power Tidal Power Thermal Power from the Sea Power from the Winds Geothermal Energy Fossil-Fuel Reserves Crude Oil Natural Gas Coal Uranium and Thorium Economic Factors of Fuel Recovery Tables of Energy Conversion Factors References General References Problems Chapter 3 Energy Demand and Cost The Consumption of Energy The Cost of Energy Electricity: Demand versus Time Energy Storage Devices Power Sources for Peaking Plants Long-Term Energy Policy References General References Special Set of References on the Origin of the 1973 US Energy Crisis Problems Chapter 4 Thermal Pollution Global Energy Balance Cooling by River Water Fish-Kills Cooling Towers and Ponds Lake Cooling Ocean Cooling Ponds, Lakes, and Land Use Aquaculture Heat Pumps References General References Problems Chapter 5 Nuclear Fission and Fusion Introduction The Atom The Chemistry of Atoms The Role of the Electron The Energy Formula of Einstein Binding Energy Nuclear Fission Radioactivity The Chain Reaction The Nuclear Reactor Control of a Reactor Types of Reactors Converters Breeder Reactors Nuclear Fusion The Stellar Fusion Reaction Terrestrial Fusion Reactions Advanced Details Environmental Effects References General References for Nuclear Power Problems Chapter 6 Comparisons of Hazards of Life Introduction Cost/Benefit Analysis Life-Shortening Monetary Value of a Risk Pollution Tax References General References ProblemsChapter 7 Environmental Problems at the Source Mining Diseases Accidents at the Source "Road Liable to Subsidence" Strip-Mining Radioactive Houses References General References Problems Chapter 8 Air Pollution Particulate Emissions Sulfur-Dioxide Pollution from Fossil-Fuel Plants Sulfur Reduction Gasification of Coal Nitrogen Oxides from Fossil-Fuel Plants Reducing Nitrogen-Oxide Emission Epidemiological Effects of Air Pollution References Extra Reference Problems Chapter 9 the Radiation Hazard to Man Environmental Radiation Radiation Dosage Experimental Data Genetic Hazards Comparison of Estimates Other Epidemiological Studies of Radiation Sources of Radiation Comparison of Guidelines Long-Lived Radioactivity Release of Radioactivity from Power Stations Biological Concentration of Radioactive Elements Radiation from Coal References ProblemsChapter 10 Accidents and Sabotage Introduction Hydroelectric Power Natural Gas Coal Oil Nuclear Accidents An Accident Analysis The Fuel Rods Actual Accidents Sabotage Hazards of Liquid Sodium Accident Insurance Summary of Environmental Problems of Fuel References Additional Recent References Problems Chapter 11 Transportation of Fuel and Wastes Fossil Fuels Oil Spills Regulation of Oil Spills Coal Transportation Transportation of Wastes Nuclear Fuels Transmission Lines References Problems Chapter 12 Energy Converters Introduction Dual-Fuel Engines Hydrogen Generation Methanol Other Energy Converters Thermoelectric Energy Converters Thermionic Energy Converters Photovoltaic Energy Converters (Solar Cells) Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Energy Converters References Problems Chapter 13 Waste Disposal Fossil Fuels Nuclear Wastes Salt Mines Storage in Underground Rock Fuel Reprocessing References Problems Chapter 14 Regulation of Energy Industry Regulation and Licensing, Background Legal Precedents Plutonium Politics Oil Politics References Problems Chapter 15 Summary Tables Chapter 16 Some Possible Term-Paper Topics
- Edition: 1
- Latest edition
- Published: June 28, 1974
- Language: English
RW
Richard F. Wilson
Dr. Wilson served the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) for 32 years. He led the USDA Soybean & Nitrogen Fixation Research Unit at Raleigh, North Carolina until 2002 when he became the USDA-ARS National Program Leader for all oilseed research. Dr. Wilson holds the rank of Professor Emeritus at North Carolina State University. His personal research helped pioneer breakthroughs in biochemical and genetic regulation of soybean seed composition, with emphasis on improved oil quality traits that provided the foundation for commercial production of high-oleic soybeans. His direction of national USDA research projects enabled the development of high-oleic peanuts, and chromosomal scale sequences of the soybean, dry bean, cacao and peanut genomes.
Affiliations and expertise
The Peanut Foundation, Oilseed & Bioscience Consulting, Raleigh, NC, USARead Energy, Ecology, and the Environment on ScienceDirect