
	Research Journal of Environmental Sciences
	Year: 2017 \| Volume: 11 \| Issue: 1 \| Page No.: 18-28 DOI: 10.3923/rjes.2017.18.28

Limits Imposed by the Second Law of Thermodynamics on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions to the Atmosphere

R. Berthiaume and M.A. Rosen

Abstract: Background and Objective: Society is moving toward unconventional oil and gas exploitation and greenhouse gas emissions reduction. The main objective of this research is to develop an exergy based conceptual framework that integrates all aspects of fuel production from resource extraction to environmental protection, including CO₂ abatement. Materials and Methods: A multistep deterministic method, from Carnot to exergy analysis, is used to develop a conceptual framework with the help of information from the literature. The approach used in this study mirrors some initial steps in the development of exergy analysis that can be found in Carnot’s work, but the focus is on resource flow rather than maximum work or efficiency. The hypothesis that the flow of fossil resources to produce fuel is related to source-sink properties explored with a simple case related to heat transfer. The possible transposition of this simple case to fuel production is examined to provide insights into the possible uses of the conceptual development. Results: This paper proposes an exergy based conceptual source-sink approach, following Carnot’s theory, to understand the complex problem of fuel production in relation to CO₂ abatement. The source is defined by natural resources and their associated quality and one sink is the atmosphere or any CO₂ confinement option. Conclusion: The proposed conceptual framework for source-sink exergy analysis of resource flow could improve our understanding of the thermodynamic limits and the sustainability of energy and material production.

PDF Fulltext XML References Citation Report Citation

RELATED ARTICLES:

•	Optimum Design of a Photovoltaic Reverse-Osmosis System for Persian Gulf Water Solar Desalination

•	Analysis of the Troposphere in the Congo Basin from the Radiosonde Investigations at Ouesso

•	Implications of Fitting a Regression and Pearson Correlation Models in the Relationship Between Food Production, Production of Wood Products, CO₂Emissions and Climate: An Analysis of Time Series Data

•	Estimation of the CO₂ Level due to Gas Flaring in the Niger Delta

How to cite this article:

R. Berthiaume and M.A. Rosen, 2017. Limits Imposed by the Second Law of Thermodynamics on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions to the Atmosphere. Research Journal of Environmental Sciences, 11: 18-28.

DOI: 10.3923/rjes.2017.18.28

URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=rjes.2017.18.28

COMMENT ON THIS PAPER

Navigation


		Online First
		Current Issue
		Previous Issues
		Editorial Board
		Submit a Manuscript
		Guide to Authors
		Subscribe to E-alerts

Indexed In


		ASCI-Database
		Asian Digital Library
		Google Scholar
		ProQuest

Science Alert