EES 119/219                                                                                                   Spring 2008

ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES

 

Udo Fehn  x57884                                                                    TA: Manahloh Belachev x52514

224 Hutchison                                                                                        107D Hutchison 

fehn@earth.rochester.edu                                                        manahloh@earth.rochester.edu           

Office Hours: W 9:30-11:30 am                                                W 4:00-6:00 pm                                                      

The first part of the course deals with mineral deposits, their formation, distribution and use.  In the second part, we will discuss energy sources (i.e. fossil fuels) presently in use, their availability, their future potential and the environmental and economic consequences of their use.  Finally, we will investigate advantages and disadvantages of alternative energy sources such as solar energy, biomass and geothermal energy.

            The course is offered on two levels, a 219 section for geology students, and juniors and seniors in the natural sciences and engineering, and a 119 section open to students in other fields.  Lectures are identical for both groups but the geologic aspects of the course will be more emphasized on the 219 level in additional readings and a separate discussion session.  The course does not have any prerequisites; the necessary geological, chemical and physical background will be developed in class and in the readings.

            There will be weekly problem sets, two exams and a final.  The cumulative grade for the problem sets can be substituted for one of the exams.  Students in the 219 section will be asked to participate in the 219 discussion section and to write an original research paper on a topic of their choice related to the course.

            The main textbook for the course is ‘Resources of the Earth’ by Craig, Vaughan and Skinner (third edition, 2001) available in the bookstore.  From time to time additional readings will be required which will be on reserve in Carlson Library. 

 

                                                                     OUTLINE

 

* Distribution of elements in the Earth

* Resources and reserves

* Formation of ore deposits

* Examples of ore deposits: Iron, aluminum, copper, uranium, gold

* Exploration and mining

* Energy production and consumption

* Coal: Formation- reserves - use

* Oil and gas: Formation - reserves - exploration

* Environmental consequences of fossil fuel use

* Nuclear power: Fission

* Nuclear power: Fusion

* Consequences of nuclear power use

* Solar power: Direct use

* Solar power: Biomass

* Hydropower, windpower

* Geothermal energy

* Political, economic and environmental considerations

EES 119/219                                                                                                   Jan/Feb ‘08

 

                                                 SCHEDULE AND READING LIST I

 

                                                        MINERAL RESOURCES

 

 

Jan. 17    Distribution of elements and composition of the Earth                         

 

Jan. 22    History of mineral use                                                            Introduction + Ch. 1

               Reading for 219, Feb. 4

 

Jan. 24    Formation of ore deposits                                                      Ch. 2

 

Jan. 29    Abundant metals: iron                                                            Ch. 7, p. 244-264

               Reading for 219, Feb.11

 

Jan. 31    Abundant metals: aluminum                                                    Ch. 7, p. 264-278

 

Feb.  5    Scarce metals: base and precious metals                                 Ch. 8, p.297-329

 

Feb.  7    Scarce metals: ferro-alloy metals; metal production                 Ch. 8, p. 279-297

 

Feb. 12   Energy: general considerations                                                Ch. 5, p.125-133

 

Feb. 14   Review                                                                                                                                                                     

 

Feb. 19   Test 1

 

 EES 119/219                                                                                                  Feb./March '08

 

                                                SCHEDULE AND READING LIST II

 

                                                            ENERGY ‑ FOSSIL FUELS

 Schedule II for EES 219

 

Feb. 21            Coal: formation, mining, use                                          Ch. 5, p. 133-152

 

Feb. 26            Oil and gas: formation                                                   Ch. 5, p. 153-182

 

Feb. 28            Oil and gas; production; gas hydrates                            Ch. 5, 183-189

 

Mar 4               Synfuels; Fuel Cells                                                       Ch. 4, p.77-94

                        Reading for 219, Mar. 17

 

Mar 6               Environmental Consequences I:

                        Acid Rain                                                                     Ch. 4, p. 100-106

 

 

Mar 11/13                    Spring Break

 

Mar 18             Environmental Consequences II:

                        Carbon dioxide and climate                                           Holland, p.324-332

 

Mar 20             CO2 and Climate; Exploration                                       Ch. 4, p.94-100

 

Mar 25             Review                                                

 

Mar 27             Test II

 

 

EES 119/219                                                                                                                                                   April’08

SCHEDULE AND READING LIST III

 

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES

 

 

March 31         For EES 219: Climate and CO2 Reading 4a

                                                                         Reading 4b

 

Apr.1               Fission and Fusion                                                        Ch. 6, p. 190-205,235-237

                                                                                                           

Apr.3               Nuclear Reactors                                                          Holland, p. 332-345

                                                                                                           

Apr. 8/10         No Class (away to Cambridge and Oxford)

 

Apr 15             Environmental consequences of nuclear power  Ch. 4, 104-112, Ch. 6, 205-210

                                                                                                 

Apr 17             Direct use of solar energy; Photosynthesis                     Ch.6, 210-217; Holland, p. 67-77

 

April 21            For EES 219: West Valley and I-129 in Tree Rings Reading 5a;

                                                                                                       Reading 5b

 

Apr  22            Wind, hydropower, OTEC                                           Ch. 6, 217-226

 

Apr  24            Geothermal power; The Grand Picture                          Ch.6, 226-235

 

Apr 29             Review

 

                                                           

 

Readings from Craig et al., Resources of the Earth. Holland/Petersen, Living Dangerously, on reserve in Carlson Lib.

 

Readings from Resources of the Earth by Craig, Vaughan and Skinner (third edition, 2001) and Living Dangerously by Holland/Petersen                  

 

Final exam: Wednesday, May 7, 1915  (7:15 pm) in Hutchison 473 (here)

.   

 

Books on reserve in Carlson:

 

 

Craig/Vaughan/Skinner         Resources of the Earth

Holland/Petersen                      Living Dangerously

Kesler                                      Mineral Resources, Economics and the Environment

Press/Siever                             Earth

Jensen/Bateman                        Economic Mineral Deposits

Ruedisili/Firebaugh                    Perspectives on Energy

Sorensen                                  Renewable Energy