Difference between revisions of "Embodied energy"

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!'''Material'''
 
!'''Material'''
 
!'''Energy''' MJ per kg
 
!'''Energy''' MJ per kg
−
!'''Carbon''' kg CO
 
−
2 per kg
 
 
!'''Density''' kg /m<sup>3</sup>
 
!'''Density''' kg /m<sup>3</sup>
 
!Mars notes
 
!Mars notes
 +
!Source
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Water
 
|Water
−
|
+
|0,5
−
|
+
|1000
−
|
 
 
|Melting or condensing from atmosphere
 
|Melting or condensing from atmosphere
 +
|ML
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Compressed Regolith Blocks (CRB)
 
|Compressed Regolith Blocks (CRB)
 +
|0,5
 +
|2000
 +
|5% cement
 +
|ML
 +
|-
 +
|Hydrogen
 +
|180
 
|
 
|
 +
|Electrolysis of water, 80% efficiency, this also produces large amounts of Oxygen
 +
|ML
 +
|-
 +
|CO2
 +
|4
 +
|1
 +
|Work of compression and liquefaction
 +
|ML
 +
|-
 +
|Propellant (CH4)
 +
|127
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
−
|to be determined
+
|ML
 +
|-
 +
|Food
 +
|432
 +
|900-1000
 +
|This also includes biomass, needs to be refined
 +
|ML
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Aggregate
 
|Aggregate
 
|0.083
 
|0.083
−
|0.0048
 
 
|2240
 
|2240
 
|This is the energy required to crush and sort the aggregate that is used for concrete production or road building
 
|This is the energy required to crush and sort the aggregate that is used for concrete production or road building
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Concrete]] (1:1.5:3)
 
|[[Concrete]] (1:1.5:3)
−
|1.11
+
|1.11-2
−
|0.159
 
 
|2400
 
|2400
 
|This is for M20 concrete, slightly better than average concrete
 
|This is for M20 concrete, slightly better than average concrete
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Bricks (common)
 
|Bricks (common)
 
|3
 
|3
−
|0.24
 
 
|1700
 
|1700
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Concrete block (Medium density)
 
|Concrete block (Medium density)
 
|0.67
 
|0.67
−
|0.073
 
 
|1450
 
|1450
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Aerated block
 
|Aerated block
 
|3.5
 
|3.5
−
|0.3
 
 
|750
 
|750
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Limestone block
 
|Limestone block
 
|0.85
 
|0.85
 +
|2180
 
|
 
|
−
|2180
 
 
|
 
|
−
|-
 
−
|Marble
 
−
|2
 
−
|0.116
 
−
|2500
 
−
|May not be available on Mars
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Cement mortar (1:3)
 
|Cement mortar (1:3)
 
|1.33
 
|1.33
−
|0.208
 
 
|
 
|
 
|Cement with sand mixed in
 
|Cement with sand mixed in
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Steel (general, av. recycled content)
 
|Steel (general, av. recycled content)
 
|20.1
 
|20.1
−
|1.37
 
 
|7800
 
|7800
 
|From Iron, does this include iron production?
 
|From Iron, does this include iron production?
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Stainless steel
 
|Stainless steel
 
|56.7
 
|56.7
−
|6.15
 
 
|7850
 
|7850
 
|From Iron ore.  Meteoritic iron might require much less energy
 
|From Iron ore.  Meteoritic iron might require much less energy
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Timber (general, excludes sequestration)
 
|Timber (general, excludes sequestration)
−
|8.5
+
|8.5+300
−
|0.46
 
 
|480–720
 
|480–720
 
|Unlikely, at first.  Bamboo glued structural elements might provide similar services
 
|Unlikely, at first.  Bamboo glued structural elements might provide similar services
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Glue laminated timber
 
|Glue laminated timber
−
|12
+
|12+300
−
|0.87
+
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Cellulose insulation (loose fill)
 
|Cellulose insulation (loose fill)
−
|0.94–3.3
+
|0.94–3.3+300
−
|
 
 
|43
 
|43
 
|
 
|
−
|-
 
−
|Cork insulation
 
−
|26
 
 
|
 
|
−
|160
 
−
|Unlikely on Mars
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Glass fibre insulation (glass wool)
 
|Glass fibre insulation (glass wool)
 
|28
 
|28
−
|1.35
 
 
|12
 
|12
 
|
 
|
−
|-
 
−
|Flax insulation
 
−
|39.5
 
−
|1.7
 
−
|30
 
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Rockwool (slab)
 
|Rockwool (slab)
 
|16.8
 
|16.8
−
|1.05
 
 
|24
 
|24
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Expanded Polystyrene insulation
 
|Expanded Polystyrene insulation
 
|88.6
 
|88.6
−
|2.55
 
 
|15–30
 
|15–30
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Polyurethane insulation (rigid foam)
 
|Polyurethane insulation (rigid foam)
 
|101.5
 
|101.5
−
|3.48
 
 
|30
 
|30
 
|
 
|
−
|-
 
−
|Wool (recycled) insulation
 
−
|20.9
 
 
|
 
|
−
|25
 
−
|Probably more expensive on Mars
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Straw bale
 
|Straw bale
 
|0.91
 
|0.91
−
|
 
 
|100–110
 
|100–110
 
|Probably much more expensive on Mars, depends on the value of biomass
 
|Probably much more expensive on Mars, depends on the value of biomass
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Mineral fibre roofing tile
 
|Mineral fibre roofing tile
 
|37
 
|37
−
|2.7
 
 
|1850
 
|1850
 
|
 
|
−
|-
 
−
|Slate
 
−
|0.1–1.0
 
−
|0.006–0.058
 
−
|1600
 
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Clay tile
 
|Clay tile
 
|6.5
 
|6.5
−
|0.45
 
 
|1900
 
|1900
 
|Clay deposits are available
 
|Clay deposits are available
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Aluminium (general & incl 33% recycled)
 
|Aluminium (general & incl 33% recycled)
−
|155
+
|155-220
−
|8.24
 
 
|2700
 
|2700
 
|Alumina is common, but perhaps not in concentrated ores
 
|Alumina is common, but perhaps not in concentrated ores
−
|-
 
−
|Bitumen (general)
 
−
|51
 
−
|0.38–0.43
 
 
|
 
|
−
|Non existent on Mars
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Medium-density fibreboard
 
|Medium-density fibreboard
−
|11
+
|11+300
−
|0.72
 
 
|680–760
 
|680–760
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Plywood
 
|Plywood
−
|15
+
|15+300
−
|1.07
 
 
|540–700
 
|540–700
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Plasterboard
 
|Plasterboard
 
|6.75
 
|6.75
−
|0.38
 
 
|800
 
|800
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Gypsum plaster
 
|Gypsum plaster
 
|1.8
 
|1.8
−
|0.12
 
 
|1120
 
|1120
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Glass
 
|Glass
−
|15
+
|6-15
−
|0.85
 
 
|2500
 
|2500
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|PVC (general)
 
|PVC (general)
 
|77.2
 
|77.2
−
|2.41
 
 
|1380
 
|1380
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Vinyl flooring
 
|Vinyl flooring
 
|65.64
 
|65.64
−
|2.92
 
 
|1200
 
|1200
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Terrazzo tiles
 
|Terrazzo tiles
 
|1.4
 
|1.4
−
|0.12
 
 
|1750
 
|1750
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Ceramic tiles
 
|Ceramic tiles
−
|12
+
|10-12
−
|0.74
 
 
|2000
 
|2000
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Wool carpet
 
|Wool carpet
 
|106
 
|106
−
|5.53
 
 
|
 
|
 +
|Sheep on Mars?
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Wallpaper
 
|Wallpaper
 
|36.4
 
|36.4
−
|1.93
+
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
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|Vitrified clay pipe (DN 500)
 
|Vitrified clay pipe (DN 500)
 
|7.9
 
|7.9
−
|0.52
 
 
|
 
|
 
|Might be interesting for many uses
 
|Might be interesting for many uses
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Iron (general)
 
|Iron (general)
−
|25
+
|25-36
−
|1.91
 
 
|7870
 
|7870
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Copper (average incl. 37% recycled)
 
|Copper (average incl. 37% recycled)
 
|42
 
|42
−
|2.6
 
 
|8600
 
|8600
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Lead (incl 61% recycled)
 
|Lead (incl 61% recycled)
 
|25.21
 
|25.21
−
|1.57
 
 
|11340
 
|11340
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Ceramic sanitary ware
 
|Ceramic sanitary ware
 
|29
 
|29
−
|1.51
+
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 277: Line 264:
 
|Paint - Water-borne
 
|Paint - Water-borne
 
|59
 
|59
−
|2.12
+
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 283: Line 270:
 
|Paint - Solvent-borne
 
|Paint - Solvent-borne
 
|97
 
|97
−
|3.13
+
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|

Revision as of 08:48, 29 April 2019

Embodied energy[1] on Mars is the measure of all the energy required for the preparation of products or services. It allows for a useful comparison of various materials that can be produced in-situ for the construction of martian settlements

In common materials (from Wikipedia, needs to be adapted to Mars)

Selected data from the Inventory of Carbon and Energy ('ICE') prepared by the University of Bath (UK)

Material Energy MJ per kg Density kg /m3 Mars notes Source
Water 0,5 1000 Melting or condensing from atmosphere ML
Compressed Regolith Blocks (CRB) 0,5 2000 5% cement ML
Hydrogen 180 Electrolysis of water, 80% efficiency, this also produces large amounts of Oxygen ML
CO2 4 1 Work of compression and liquefaction ML
Propellant (CH4) 127 ML
Food 432 900-1000 This also includes biomass, needs to be refined ML
Aggregate 0.083 2240 This is the energy required to crush and sort the aggregate that is used for concrete production or road building
Concrete (1:1.5:3) 1.11-2 2400 This is for M20 concrete, slightly better than average concrete
Bricks (common) 3 1700
Concrete block (Medium density) 0.67 1450
Aerated block 3.5 750
Limestone block 0.85 2180
Cement mortar (1:3) 1.33 Cement with sand mixed in
Steel (general, av. recycled content) 20.1 7800 From Iron, does this include iron production?
Stainless steel 56.7 7850 From Iron ore. Meteoritic iron might require much less energy
Timber (general, excludes sequestration) 8.5+300 480–720 Unlikely, at first. Bamboo glued structural elements might provide similar services
Glue laminated timber 12+300
Cellulose insulation (loose fill) 0.94–3.3+300 43
Glass fibre insulation (glass wool) 28 12
Rockwool (slab) 16.8 24
Expanded Polystyrene insulation 88.6 15–30
Polyurethane insulation (rigid foam) 101.5 30
Straw bale 0.91 100–110 Probably much more expensive on Mars, depends on the value of biomass
Mineral fibre roofing tile 37 1850
Clay tile 6.5 1900 Clay deposits are available
Aluminium (general & incl 33% recycled) 155-220 2700 Alumina is common, but perhaps not in concentrated ores
Medium-density fibreboard 11+300 680–760
Plywood 15+300 540–700
Plasterboard 6.75 800
Gypsum plaster 1.8 1120
Glass 6-15 2500
PVC (general) 77.2 1380
Vinyl flooring 65.64 1200
Terrazzo tiles 1.4 1750
Ceramic tiles 10-12 2000
Wool carpet 106 Sheep on Mars?
Wallpaper 36.4
Vitrified clay pipe (DN 500) 7.9 Might be interesting for many uses
Iron (general) 25-36 7870
Copper (average incl. 37% recycled) 42 8600
Lead (incl 61% recycled) 25.21 11340
Ceramic sanitary ware 29
Paint - Water-borne 59
Paint - Solvent-borne 97

Plastics, for example, have a high value of embodied energy and therefore are not the best choices for construction materials, of other choices are available. Note, energy of plastic feedstock may not be included.

Aluminium requires much more energy than Steel or iron and therefore is less likely to be used for construction on Mars.

The values for woods and other biological products in the above table do not include embodied solar energy.

With embodied solar energy:

Food: At an average yield of 3 tonnes per hectare (conservative) embodied energy is about 430 MJ/kg.

Wood: At 4 tonnes per hectare for bamboo, embodied energy is about 300 MJ/kg. Work to transform it into a usable product should be added from table above.

Photovoltaic (PV) Cells Type Energy MJ per m2 Carbon kg CO

2 per m2

Monocrystalline (average) 4750 242
Polycrystalline (average) 4070 208
Thin film (average) 1305 67

PV cells require very high amounts of energy to manufacture and are likely to be more economical to transport from earth in the earlier stages of a colony.

References

  1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embodied_energy
Retrieved from "https://marspedia.org/index.php?title=Embodied_energy&oldid=129803"