Uncovering the lifecycle carbon emissions and its reduction pathways: A case study of petroleum refining enterprise

Abstract

The petroleum refining industry is considered energy-intensive and responsible for significant carbon emissions. This study applied both life cycle assessment and system dynamics to comprehensively analyze and simulate the factors that influence corporate carbon emissions. This analysis elucidates the complex interplay of mechanisms that can reduce corporate carbon emissions. This study also provides a deeper understanding of how these mechanisms can reduce emissions over time. The results show that the fuel combustion phase has the highest carbon intensity (0.25 tons CO2e/ton), followed by the industrial production phase (0.09 tons CO2e/ton) and the torch combustion phase (3.31E-04 tons CO2e/ton) throughout the life cycle of the sample enterprise. Notably, carbon emissions from the net purchased thermal energy are “negative,” meaning that steam thermal production from industrial processes may provide environmental benefits through the carbon cycle. Multi-scenario analysis shows that adjusting a single parameter will not achieve the “carbon neutrality” emissions reduction target for the sample enterprise. Instead, adjusting the energy structure and optimizing efficiency represents the first steps toward such a target. According to the comprehensive scenario, the sample enterprise will reach peak carbon emissions by 2025 and eventually achieve “carbon neutrality” by 2058.