Zum Einfluss anthropogener Abwärme auf die Klimaerwärmung der Atmosphäre

Abstract

Die Anthropogene Abwärme erweist sich als weiterer, nicht zu unterschätzender Einflussparameter für den Klimawandel. Derzeitige Untersuchungen und Veröffentlichungen konzentrieren sich auf den Klimaeinfluss durch Sonneneinstrahlung in Verbindung mit atmosphärischer Luftverschmutzung (CO2, ...). Sie bewerten die damit verbundene Temperaturerhöhung unmittelbar an der Erdoberfläche. In dieser Betrachtung wird die Bedeutung der anthropogenen Abwärme als vernachlässigbar eingestuft und erst in langfristiger Zukunft als Gefährdungsparameter gesehen. Es gibt aber auch Analysen, die darauf hinweisen, dass selbst bei Klärung der Klima-Abgasproblematik (CO2, ...), das Abwärmeproblem weiter bestehen wird, denn auch bei der Nutzung von Atom- und Solarenergien erfolgt eine permanente Energiezufuhr an unsere Umwelt. Fossile Kraftwerke werden lediglich durch Abgas vermeidende Nutzenergieerzeuger ersetzt. Auf der Basis grundlegender thermodynamischer Analysen werden hier Abschätzungen zum potenziellen Einfluss von Abwärme aus Industrie, Heizung (Haushalt), Gewerbe und Verkehr auf die Temperaturerhöhung der Atmosphäre vorgestellt, unter Einbeziehung der Auswirkung zukünftiger synthetischer Brennstoffe, wie sie derzeit für Straßenverkehr und Luftfahrt diskutiert werden.

Anthropogenic waste heat is proving to be another influencing parameter for climate change that should not be underestimated. Current studies and publications focus on the influence of solar radiation on the climate in conjunction with atmospheric air pollution (CO2, ...). They evaluate the associated increase in temperature directly on the earths surface. In this view, the significance of anthropogenic waste heat is classified as negligible and is only seen as a hazard parameter in the long-term future. But there are also analyzes that indicate that even if the climate emissions problem (CO2...) is clarified, the waste heat problem will continue to exist, because even when using nuclear and solar energy, there is a constant supply of energy to our environment. Fossil power plants are only being replaced by useful energy producers that avoid exhaust gases. Based on fundamental thermodynamic analyses, estimates of the potential influence of waste heat from industry, heating (household), commerce and traffic on the temperature increase in the atmosphere are presented here, taking into account the impact of future synthetic fuels, such as those currently being discussed for road traffic and aviation. Based on the meteorologically observed global warming on the earths surface of 0.02 °C per year worldwide in recent decades, anthropogenic waste heat has identified potential for temperature increases in the atmosphere of the same order of magnitude and higher. This waste heat effect is particularly strong in the northern hemisphere, where the greatest energy consumption occurs. Depending on the perspective (global average or northern hemisphere), the analyzes show a global warming potential of 0.06 °C p.a. to 0.23 °C p.a., which significantly exceeds the observed global warming of 0.02 °C p.a. on the earths surface. For aviation, too, substitution of kerosene with more environmentally friendly synthetic fuels (LH2) does not appear to be negligible in terms of waste heat. If kerosene is completely replaced by SAF (LH2), the additional waste heat release has the potential to accelerate atmospheric warming by up to 7%. The main cause is waste heat from fuel production. However, at the planned low introduction speeds, these SAF effects will remain small for the time being. The waste heat generated if synthetic fuels were introduced in road transport would be significantly greater, depending on the degree of introduction. It would be 6.5 times greater than if kerosene were completely substituted in aviation. The anthropogenic waste heat effects determined here only describe theoretical potentials and magnitudes of climate influence. The extent to which this heat leaves the atmosphere out into space, penetrates into oceans and continents, and ultimately actually contributes to the final warming of the air is an open question. It requires further clarification from climate experts. The present studies provide an impetus for a more detailed consideration of this, also with regard to the introduction of alternative fuels for aviation and road transport.