Energyglossary-MartinParkinson.docVIP

Energy glossary Originally written as study notes for Open university course T206, energy for a sustainable future. Main sources: ESS = Energy systems and sustainability; ed Godfrey Boyle RE = Renewable energy; ed Godfrey Boyle MTE = Managing transport energy; ed James Warren α- particle/radiation (alpha particle) – helium nucleus (i.e. 2 protons+2 neutrons). When emitted from a nucleus during radioactive decay the resulting atom has moved two places lower in the periodic table. Alpha radiation is the least penetrating type of radiation. (- decay/radiation (beta decay, beat minus decay)- form of radioactive decay in which a neutron turns into a proton with the emission of an electron (aka (- particle). A nucleus undergoing this type of decay ‘moves up’ one place in the periodic table because its atomic number increases by one. Beta radiation can cause burns. γ-particle/radiation (gamma particle) very short wavelength electromagnetic waves. Gamma emission is a ‘settling down’ process, often following α or (-emission or fission. Highly penetrating and the main hazard associated with nuclear technology. Aerosol – ESS p531 – tiny droplets of liquid as little as one micron in diameter. Cf vapour , particulate Alternative vehicle fuels – (MTE ch2). ‘Overall, the use of alternative fuels presents a very mixed, and extremely uncertain picture.’ (p21). Vehicle fuels other than petrol are: Diesel – CO2 emissions about 25% lower than petrol Compressed natural gas (CNG) – mainly methane – CO2 about 15 % lower (but cleaner in other ways and well established Liquid petroleum gas (LPG) – mixture of propane (90%) and butane – reductions about the same as diesel Ethanol/bio-ethanol – can be little or no improvement on fossil fuels depending on production methods but ethanol from wood can be as high as 66% Methanol/bio-methanol Bio-diesel – same considerations as bio-ethanol Hydrogen – if produced from fossil oil, similar to LPG CNG and LPG enable a more complete combustion than