Question

When a hydrocarbon fuel is burned, almost all of the carbon in the fuel burns completely to form co2 (carbon dioxide), which is the principal gas causing the greenhouse effect and thus global climate change. On average, 0.73 kg of co2 is produced for each kwh of electricity generated from a power plant that burns natural gas. A typical new household refrigerator uses about 700 kwh of electricity per year. Determine the amount of co2 production that is due to the refrigerators in a city with 300,000 households?

Answer 1

1.5 × 10⁸ Kg of CO₂ / Year

Solution:

According to statement,

1 kwh generation produces = 0.73 Kg of CO₂

So,

700 kwh generation will produce = X Kg of CO₂

Solving for X,

X = (700 kwh × 0.73 Kg) ÷ 1 kwh

X = 511 Kg of CO₂ / Year

Also, as calculated,

1 household produces = 511 Kg of CO₂ / Year

Then,

300,000 households will produce = X Kg of CO₂ per Year

Solving for X,

X = (300000 households × 511 Kg) ÷ 1 household

X = 153300000 Kg of CO₂ / Year

Or,

X = 1.5 × 10⁸ Kg of CO₂ / Year