Comparison of radiative forcing impacts of the use of wood, peat, and fossil fuels
The present study investigates the greenhouse impacts and the relevant time factors of the use of peat and wood for energy production and compares them with those of fossil fuels. Emissions and sinks of the whole energy production chain and subsequent use of the wood or peat production site are taken into account. The radiative forcing caused by energy production is used as a measure for the greenhouse impact. Economical considerations are not included. Radiative forcing is calculated for carbon dioxide (CO[sub 2]), methane (CH[sub 4]) and nitrous oxide (N[sub 2]O) emissions. The real emissions of energy production are calculated by subtracting the emissions of non-use from the emissions of energy production. All the emissions are given as a function of time, i.e. their evolution over time is taken into account. At this point the estimates for some emission developments are quite crude and should be considered exemplary. The studied energy production chains can be divided roughly into three groups, if the greenhouse impact caused by continuous energy production of hundred years is considered. In this case forest residues, planted stands and unused merchantable wood cause the least radiative forcing per unit of primary energy generated. Natural gas and peat from cultivated peatland form the middle group. According to the calculations coal and conventional peat cause the greatest greenhouse impact.
- OSTI ID:
- 6899089
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-940422-; CODEN: WRRVE5; TRN: 95-004988
- Journal Information:
- World Resource Review; (United States), Vol. 6:2; Conference: 5. global warming science and policy international conference and expo, San Francisco, CA (United States), 4-7 Apr 1994; ISSN 1042-8011
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
02 PETROLEUM
03 NATURAL GAS
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CARBON DIOXIDE
EMISSION
COMBUSTION PRODUCTS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FOSSIL FUELS
COMBUSTION
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
METHANE
NITROUS OXIDE
WOOD
ALKANES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CLIMATIC CHANGE
ENERGY SOURCES
FUELS
HYDROCARBONS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDATION
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
010900* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Environmental Aspects
020900 - Petroleum- Environmental Aspects
030800 - Natural Gas- Environmental Aspects
540120 - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)