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What are the advantages and disadvantages of using oil as an energy source?
Answer:
Oil is a fossil fuel formed out of organic matter deposited and decomposed under the earth's surface for millions of years.
Some of the advantages of oil are:
Some disadvantages of oil are:
Some of the advantages of oil are
- Oil is an extremely powerful energy source when it is burned. No other fuel can move a vehicle at such speed and for such a distance as a cup of petroleum can.
- Easily combustible, and produces high energy upon combustion helping in locomotion and in the generation of electricity and various other forms of energy;
- The world's economy would not function as efficiently if countries halted oil production, import and export.
- Also oil is in everyday products like plastics of all kinds, lotion, makeup etc.
- Oil is easier to mine because as a liquid, it will flow through pipes, which makes it easier to transport.
- Widely and easily distributed all over the world through pipe, rail, road and sea tankers
- Comparatively inexpensive due to fairly large reserves and easy accessibility
- Very large amounts of electricity can be generated in one place using oil, fairly cheaply.
- An efficient oil-fuelled power station can be built almost anywhere, so long as you can get large quantities of fuel to it.
- It can run day and night, providing a constant source of power, unlike solar and wind power which are intermittent.
- Is relatively stable
- Oil has high heating value
- No new technology needed to use it
- Oil is arguably the planet's most adjustable fossil fuel.
- Oil is cleaner and easier to burn than coal.
Some disadvantages of oil are:
- Oil may contribute to global warming in its production and use by releasing carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas.
- Burning oil releases extra carbon dioxide, that has been stored in the earth for millions of years. This is disrupting the natural carbon cycle.
- It also causes strong localized effects. CO, NOx, and particulates damage local ecosystems and directly impact life expectancy (think smog, asthma, etc.).
- Separating and refining oil takes a lot of energy. Oil exists as a mixture of hydrocarbons with traces of sulfur and other compounds. For useful products to be separated from crude oil, it must be treated with "thermal cracking," an energy-intensive process that separates and reforms different hydrocarbons based on their boiling point.
- Incomplete combustion of oil can form carbon monoxide, which if allowed to build up in a confined area can prove to be fatal.
- The insecurity of oil in the global financial market is a distinct disadvantage for countries that rely on oil.
- Oil is running out. Although new oil deposits are being discovered every year, the amount does not equal to level of annual consumption. So the little that is left continues to rise in price. The price will continue to rise, especially if the real cost of its carbon is included.
- It is now harder to find and hence more expensive.
- mining of oil leads to irreversible damage to the adjoining environment;
- Whenever there is an oil spill there is usually a massive environmental disaster. Evaporation and fumes also pollute the environment;
- Tankers and pipelines are vulnerable to terrorists and other criminals.
- Used oil is difficult to clean and recycle.
Contributor:
N2146X
N2146X
First answer by Johnellishartford.
Last edit by Cowgal97.
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