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Energy In Agriculture: Energy Resource Series For Youth And Adult Energy Programs: 11. Geothermal, George M. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

Geothermal energy or earth heat has the potential of becoming the foremost source of energy during the next few decades just as the fossil fuels have been for the past 75 years. This source is so great that it is limitless, unlike the fossil or nuclear fission fuels. Yet there are formidable problems in the application of geothermal energy for useful work.

Energy In Agriculture: Energy Resource Series For Youth And Adult Energy Programs: 12. Alcohol, George M. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

Today we often hear discussed the potential energy content and ability of alcohol to lessen our dependence on gasoline as a motor fuel. The alcohol in question is ethyl alcohol, a colorless, volatile, flammable liquid that is derived from growing plants, or the parts of growing plants, that are relatively high in carbohydrate content.

Energy In Agriculture: Energy Resource Series For Youth And Adult Energy Programs: 9. Wood, George M. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

Wood is a bio-fuel. This means that it comes from living things. Lawn grass, field crops and garden plants and flowers are all in the bio-family of living things. In fact, there is no difference between the wood of today and fossil fuels of aeons ago, such as coal and oil except time. Millions of years ago all fossil fuels were lush green plants, thriving on nutrients and moisture in the earth and the photosynthesis process. These have long since died but have been preserved beneath the surface of the earth. Actually, the wood of today and the fossil fuels …

Energy In Agriculture: Energy Resource Series For Youth And Adult Energy Programs: 2. Definitions, George M. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

The words described in this publication are used in the other publications in this energy resource series without further defining.

In most cases the first sentence, paragraph or formula describes a word or term sufficiently to use it . The added explanation is an attempt to give the reader a firm foundation for using the word confidently in energy programs.

Energy In Agriculture: Energy Resource Series For Youth And Adult Energy Programs: 10. Water, George M. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

Since early history, water has furnished man with energy. Man has always moved and settled along rivers and streams, because water makes travel easier. He soon learned to capture the movement of water in rivers, creeks and streams by inserting a wheel.

Water presents a great source of power. It has been estimated that if every available location for water power were developed, regardless of economic and environmental considerations, there would be between three and four times the power derived from all other sources. But this is impractical, because in many instances it would take more energy in materials and …

Energy In Agriculture: Energy Resource Series For Youth And Adult Energy Programs: 8. Nuclear Fusion, George M. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

The subject of nuclear energy can be divided into two parts, fission and fusion. The purpose of this publication is to describe the process of nuclear fusion.

Fusion of atomic nuclei offers tremendous possibility of energy. Since all forecasts point toward a need for more energy in this country, this method of energy production can provide a significant share.

At the present time we do not know for certain that energy from the fusion process will be scientifically and economically successful. It is certain that much research will continue to take place; if fusion can be achieved, the promise of …

Energy In Agriculture: Energy Resource Series For Youth And Adult Energy Programs: 6. Wind, George M. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

There is a tremendous amount of energy at work in the atmosphere at all times in the form of wind. Man has recognized this for ages and has used it to a limited extent by constructing devices, such as windmills.

Today, the rapidly diminishing supply of fossil fuels has prompted us to take a new look at wind as a source of energy. This publication will study some of the ways engineers have devised to harness wind.

Energy In Agriculture: Energy Resource Series For Youth And Adult Energy Programs: 7. Nuclear Fission, George M. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

Nuclear power is one of the leading sources in our search for energy. One source of nuclear power is nuclear fission, an energy-releasing process in which the nuclei of atoms are split. The energy produced is close kin to chemical energy. Similar basic laws, rules and reasoning apply.

Perhaps the best means of gaining an overall understanding of nuclear energy is to examine three of the known force fields in nature. Because of the importance of these basic concepts, this publication will concentrate on descriptions of these force fields and how they are harnessed for our use.

In addition, the …

Energy In Agriculture: Energy Resource Series For Youth And Adult Energy Programs: 3. Oil And Gas, George M. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

The oil and gas in the earth today were formed many millions of years ago, long before humans appeared on the scene. Therefore, man can only theorize about the origin of these fossil fuels.

The most widely accepted theory is that the oil and gas found in the earth today had their beginnings in decomposed animals and plants. The decomposition was caused by bacteria and chemicals called enzymes which digested the plant and animal bodies.

Energy In Agriculture: Energy Resource Series For Youth And Adult Energy Programs: 1. Energy Overview, George M. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

Since the development of the internal combustion engine and its rapid adoption as a power source, the people of the United States and several other developed countries have enjoyed the benefits of relatively cheap energy. This has had a direct bearing on the standard of living we have today.

Energy In Agriculture: Energy Resource Series For Youth And Adult Energy Programs: 5. Solar, George M. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

Since 1973, when the public became aware that shortages of gasoline for automobiles could drastically affect their personal lives, there has been much interest in solar energy. Many articles have appeared in the popular press about the potential of solar energy, and the federal government has allocated large sums of money for research in this area of energy. Most science textbooks now contain a chapter or two on solar energy utilization. Most engineering colleges offer courses specifically related to energy, and many of these place emphasis on the solar aspect. There is little doubt that the public, in all sectors, …

Energy In Agriculture: Energy Resource Series For Youth And Adult Energy Programs: 4. Coal, George M. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

Coal is very close kin to the other fossil fuels, oil and gas. If a chunk of coal is examined with a powerful magnifying glass you will notice a lot of red and gold color. The marks of plants can be plainly seen on many pieces. The imprint of plants and sometimes of animal skeletons indicates to skilled scientists how coal was formed.

Energy In Agriculture: The Use Of Ethanol As An Unmixed Fuel For Lnternal Combustion Engines, Joseph L. Taraba, George M. Turner, Robert Razor

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

The use of ethanol (ethyl alcohol) as a fuel for spark ignited (Sl) internal combustion engines has been evaluated and considered satisfactory since the early1 900s. Today due to the increasing cost of petroleum and the current world oil uncertainty, which may greatly affect the future availability of petroleum, some alternative fuels for internal combustion engines are needed. Ethanol is one of the fuels that has shown promise as a petroleum substitute. Today the country of Brazil has chosen a path of less dependence on petroleum by developing an ethanol fuel technology. In the spring of 1980, cars designed to …