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Energy And Environment Question Paper
Energy And Environment
Course:Bachelor Of Engineering In Electrical And Electronic Engineering
Institution: Kenyatta University question papers
Exam Year:2009
KENYATTA UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS 2009/2010
FIRST SEMESTER EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF
SCIENCE (ENERGY ENGINEERING)
SET 538: ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
DATE: Tuesday 29th December, 2009 TIME: 8.00 a.m. – 10.00 a.m.
INSTRUCTIONS
There are FIVE questions in this paper. All carry equal marks.
Answer ANY THREE questions.
Question 1
Among the renewable energy resources, only Geothermal and Biomass have environmental impacts if not used well.
(a)
The type and concentration of pollutants carried by geothermal fluid is dependent upon several factors.
(i)
Name the three key factors and explain the role of each towards the environmental effects of geothermal energy resource. [4 marks]
(ii)
Clearly explain the final environmental impacts/effects that geothermal energy resources contribute to; showing the pollutants from the source. [4 marks]
(b)
(i)
Outline and clearly explain, in details, the environmental impacts of uncontrolled use of biomass (including cow dung) as an energy source. [8 marks]
(ii)
Show the health effects of pollutants from this energy source and name the emissions, from this option, which contributes to the health impact. [4 marks]
Question 2
Photochemical smog is one of the environmental phenomena resulting from some gaseous pollutants, products of some fuels-utilizations. Coal, the only solid fossil fuel, is of major concern environmentally due to its negative effects through its extraction/mining and utilization.
(a)
Clearly explain how photochemical smog is formed and name the gaseous pollutants involved in its formation (i.e., the causal agents). Show the major source of these pollutants. [5 marks]
(b)
Name and clearly explain the two environmental conditions for photochemical smog. [5 marks]
(c)
(i)
Show all the chemical reactions occurring in formation of smog, and explain the occurrence of each. [5 marks]
(ii)
Name the principle environmental effects of photochemical smog. [2 marks]
(d)
Name and clearly explain, the three environmental effects of coal extraction/mining. [3 marks]
Question 3
Greenhouse effect, leading to global warming (a climate change) is an environmental phenomena of which energy is a major contributor.
(a)
(i)
Show the broad name of the global-warming causal agents and name all the specific ones, highlighting the principal/major contributor. Name the major sources of the causal agents. [6 marks]
(ii)
Explain in details, how the global warming occurs and show how energy contributes to that. [8 marks]
(b)
Environmental effects of global warming are classified/categorized into two; viz: Direct Effects and Indirect Effects. Name all the principal environmental effects under each of the two classes, and clearly explain each. [6 marks]
Question 4
Direct utilization of some fuels, with minimum control strategies, has resulted to an environmental phenomena known as Acid Rain, a product with devastating impacts on various earth systems.
(a)
Discuss in details the scientific background of this phenomena, i.e., how it is formed; clearly indicating how energy is associated with it. [10 marks]
(b)
Name and clearly explain the environmental effects of acid rain, i.e., problems associated with acid rain. [6 marks]
(c)
Outline and briefly explain the potential control that can be applied to minimize the acid rain problems. [4 marks]
Question 5
(a)
Energy-fuel exploration and production has also several effects on the environment. Outline five of the effects felt/experienced in the process and clearly explain each. [12 marks]
(b)
Due to the great environmental pollution expected or experienced through utilization of various fuels for energy provision, we have to plan and effect techniques of reducing or cutting-off the negative effects. Name the fourteen mitigation options. [8 marks]
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