Carbon (IV) oxide emissions problem and the possible ways to its solving

Abstract

The environmental problem of anthropogenic carbon (IV) oxide emissions, which is a greenhouse gas of direct action and directly influences the climate change of the planet, is considered. The main reasons of increasing the concentration of anthropogenic CO2 in the atmosphere are power plants running on fossil fuels, industrial production and deforestation. One of the sectors of the economy that emits greenhouse gases is the chemical industry, in particular soda ash manufacture. According to statistics, about 200-300 kg of carbon (IV) oxide is formed per 1 ton of product. Taking into account the volumes of soda ash manufacture and the legislation soda plants are obliged to pay an environmental tax for CO2 emissions. Thus, the economic mechanisms of regulating anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions stimulate the study of this problem and the development of effective methods of its solution, in particular in soda ash manufacture. The purpose of this work is a comprehensive analysis of the problem of carbon (IV) oxide emissions in soda ash manufacture and identification of promising methods for its solution. The soda ash manufacture, which is carried out by the Solve method, emits into the air up to 178 million tons of pollutants a year. The main sources of emissions are the stage of carbonate raw material firing, the stage of preparation of the ammoniated brine and the heat generator of CHP. The total concentration of carbon (IV) oxide in the gas emissions is from 2 to 35 vol. %. Absorption, adsorption and catalytic methods are used in the industry for the neutralization of CO2. The general characteristics of each method are presented and their main advantages and disadvantages are indicated. Thus, the choice of the optimum method of gas cleaning in soda ash manufacture will be made depending on the degree of cleaning required, volume and composition of the gas emitted, properties of adsorbents, absorbers and catalysts, possible ways of utilization of CO2 extracted, location of the soda plant. However, the determining factor remains the technical and economic indicators for the use of one method or another.