Hydrogen: Natural Gas and Fuel Source Essay

Grant ********** ****** 1

Mr. Jason ********
Science I

18 May 2012

Hydrogen: A Reliable Source of Energy for Our Children

“Society cannot exist without energy” (Nakaya 8). Energy is used

to provide heat, to cool and light their homes, to refrigerate and cook their food, and to

fuel transportation. It also provides power for telecommunications, commercial and

industrial activity (8). Andrea Nakaya states that, “Humans are virtually helpless

without a reliable energy source, such as, the element Hydrogen” (8). In addition, many

scientists argue that there is a major problem with our reliance on “fossil fuels” and that

we must start looking for other resources (Nakaya 11). This is why the use of hydrogen

as an alternative fuel source the use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel source we can

reduce if not eliminate our toll on the environment from chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs),

have access to limitless energy, and possess a more powerful and efficient transportation

fleet.

Andrea Nakaya states, “History shows that in the past, society has shifted from

one energy source to another” (11). Throughout history, the United States’ many energy

transitions show that as our technology advances, we require more efficient energy

sources (11-12). Such as our switch from “solar energy” and “wind power” in

“early societies”, “to burning wood, charcoal, and agricultural residues.” (12)

Throughout the 1800s coal became the United States’ “main energy source”, and “after

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World War II, petroleum” (12) became the United States’ new energy source. In addition,

Andrea Nakaya states, “Many people believe the United States relies too much on fossil

fuels and is not doing enough to pursue alternative energy sources” (15). In addition, the

use of petroleum is taking a major financial, and environmental toll on the United States.

In the present day, our technologies are advancing; we need an even more resourceful

basis for energy. As a result many scientist are proposing a new transition to the use of

Hydrogen as a main fuel source.

Hydrogen is considered a clean fuel that has a minimum impact on the

environment nearly eliminating the levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas

emissions. A chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), is an organic compound which derives from

methane and ethane (a product of the burning of fossil fuels), that contains carbon,

chlorine, and fluorine. The atmospheric impacts of CFCs are not limited to an ozone

reducer. This compound is also a greenhouse gas, with a much higher potential to

enhance the greenhouse effect than CO2. It is safe to manufacture, reliable and

environmentally friendly. The huge advantage that hydrogen has over other fuels is that

as a fuel it is non-polluting, when you combust hydrogen the only bi-product is water.

David Garman states, “Hydrogen can fuel ultra-clean internal combustion engine, which

would reduce auto emissions by more than 99 percent” (Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles…)

(See Table 1).

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[pic]

Table 1: The bar graph represents the grams of CO2 per person, released through

gasoline use than through the use of hydrogen. Also, as CO2 is the leading cause of

global warming this graph illustrates how much of that CO2 escapes into the air every

year.

It has been scientifically proven that the more industrialized a country is the

higher a country’s nation energy consumption level. According to Anne Mucsulak, “The

International Energy Association (IEA) has estimated that developed countries use about

3.4 million tons (3.1 million metric tons) of energy sources (on an energy-equivalent

basis with oil), but developing countries use only 1.7 million tons (1.5 million metric

tons)” (4). It is common knowledge that oil is a non-renewable source of energy. That

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