The first group mentioned biofuels as an alternative source for petroleum is by far not a new subject. Many countries such as USA and China have tried for biofuels and although the technology sounds promising, there are many disadvantages regarding the technology. The group discussed the pros and cons and some advantages biofuels have is that it can replace the need for petroleum and reduce air pollution. It also creates job for people as there have to be more farming sites catered for cultivation of the crops. However, the cons is that such technology still requires a very large area of land for cultivation and biofuels absorb more energy than they produce. The large amount of fertilizer, pesticides can pollute soils and might create algae bloom that can suffocate fishes in rivers. Many also feel that the large amount of crops grown for biofuels should instead feed the hungry in many third world countries.
The second group mentioned Green chemistry, such as converting waste products into less harmful substances and recycling them into useful things again is what the group discussed. They mentioned the idea of melting and converting used plastic bottles into a strong carbon microsphere that is even harder than diamond and such technology could replace the high cost of using expensive diamond for cutting purposes. There would also not be any harmful by products produced which helps save the environment from future harm. Recently, there have been many events happening around the Earth that have been triggered due to global warming. Green chemistry although expensive, should be researched even more so that more can be done to reduce pollution and waste products.
The last group mentioned low-pressure carbon filter process technology. The main idea is that this technology extracts most of the useful carbon dioxide produced by factories or heavy industries and recycles them for use in enhancing oil and methane recovery. Although such technology is good for the environment as it greatly reduces carbon dioxide emissions, we have to question the safety of building such plants and would the large amount of carbon dioxide emitted by factories everyday be 100% used up by enhancing oil and methane as not many countries around the world has oil refining facilities. Thus, not all countries would be able to implement such technology and it will defeat the purpose of building so many of such plants. Other questions we can ask it how they are going to link the pipes connecting the waste carbon dioxide to the plant and useful carbon dioxide to the refining factories. Long pipes might leak and the cost of implementation might not be feasible.
The second group mentioned Green chemistry, such as converting waste products into less harmful substances and recycling them into useful things again is what the group discussed. They mentioned the idea of melting and converting used plastic bottles into a strong carbon microsphere that is even harder than diamond and such technology could replace the high cost of using expensive diamond for cutting purposes. There would also not be any harmful by products produced which helps save the environment from future harm. Recently, there have been many events happening around the Earth that have been triggered due to global warming. Green chemistry although expensive, should be researched even more so that more can be done to reduce pollution and waste products.
The last group mentioned low-pressure carbon filter process technology. The main idea is that this technology extracts most of the useful carbon dioxide produced by factories or heavy industries and recycles them for use in enhancing oil and methane recovery. Although such technology is good for the environment as it greatly reduces carbon dioxide emissions, we have to question the safety of building such plants and would the large amount of carbon dioxide emitted by factories everyday be 100% used up by enhancing oil and methane as not many countries around the world has oil refining facilities. Thus, not all countries would be able to implement such technology and it will defeat the purpose of building so many of such plants. Other questions we can ask it how they are going to link the pipes connecting the waste carbon dioxide to the plant and useful carbon dioxide to the refining factories. Long pipes might leak and the cost of implementation might not be feasible.
This provides a brief summary about the round table discussion for the reader. Points are well organised. Each paragrph discussed about the topic brought up by the different groups.
ReplyDeleteIt is a good summary for three groups. When i read your summary I notice that There are some points missingfor second group. You did not mention about the against side points. They mentioned during the debate, Singapore is not ready for Green Chemistry, but Country like China will be good place to start with such kind of new technology.
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