Non-energy Use Of Fossil Fuels Research Articles

Tracing fossil-based plastics, chemicals and fertilizers production in China

Phasing down fossil fuels is crucial for climate mitigation. Even though 80–90% of fossil fuels are used to provide energy, their use as feedstock to produce plastics, fertilizers, and chemicals, is associated with substantial CO2 emissions. However, our understanding of hard-to-abate chemical production remains limited. Here we developed a chemical process-based material flow model to investigate the non-energy use of fossil fuels and CO2 emissions in China. Results show in 2017, the chemical industry used 0.18 Gt of coal, 88.8 Mt of crude oil, and 12.9 Mt of natural gas as feedstock, constituting 5%, 15%, and 7% of China’s respective total use. Coal-fed production of methanol, ammonia, and PVCs contributes to 0.27 Gt CO2 emissions ( ~ 3% of China’s emissions). As China seeks to balance high CO2 emissions of coal-fed production with import dependence on oil and gas, improving energy efficiency and coupling green hydrogen emerges as attractive alternatives for decarbonization.

Zero-Emission Pathway for the Global Chemical and Petrochemical Sector

The chemical and petrochemical sector relies on fossil fuels and feedstocks, and is a major source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The techno-economic potential of 20 decarbonisation options is assessed. While previous analyses focus on the production processes, this analysis covers the full product life cycle CO2 emissions. The analysis elaborates the carbon accounting complexity that results from the non-energy use of fossil fuels, and highlights the importance of strategies that consider the carbon stored in synthetic organic products—an aspect that warrants more attention in long-term energy scenarios and strategies. Average mitigation costs in the sector would amount to 64 United States dollars (USD) per tonne of CO2 for full decarbonisation in 2050. The rapidly declining renewables cost is one main cause for this low-cost estimate. Renewable energy supply solutions, in combination with electrification, account for 40% of total emissions reductions. Annual biomass use grows to 1.3 gigatonnes; green hydrogen electrolyser capacity grows to 2435 gigawatts and recycling rates increase six-fold, while product demand is reduced by a third, compared to the reference case. CO2 capture, storage and use equals 30% of the total decarbonisation effort (1.49 gigatonnes per year), where about one-third of the captured CO2 is of biogenic origin. Circular economy concepts, including recycling, account for 16%, while energy efficiency accounts for 12% of the decarbonisation needed. Achieving full decarbonisation in this sector will increase energy and feedstock costs by more than 35%. The analysis shows the importance of renewables-based solutions, accounting for more than half of the total emissions reduction potential, which was higher than previous estimates.

Circular economy and energy transition: A nexus focusing on the non-energy use of fuels

Given emerging concerns about climate change, low-carbon energy transition is advocated and promoted. Non-energy use of fossil fuels accounted for 8.9% of the world’s total final energy consumption in 2015. Non-energy use intensity does not show an evident reduction, while energy intensity as fuel per dollar of gross domestic product has decreased thanks to energy transition efforts such as energy efficiency promotion and renewable energy expansion. This study conducted an extensive review of the circular economy and energy transition frameworks, and found that the energy transition framework has a critical gap, so it cannot provide a foundation for investigating non-energy use. This study suggests that the energy transition discourse needs to be extended to incorporate the transition of non-energy use and the achievement of a closed loop of non-energy use, which is part of the circular economy framework. The coordinated circular economy–energy transition approach could bring in synergistic effects, such as promoting circular economy activities among industries, reducing energy demand, and attaining additional greenhouse gas mitigation potential.

PETROCHEMICAL SUPPLY CHAIN’S SHARE IN EMISSION OF GREEN HOUSE GASES, CASE STUDY: SHAZAND PETROCHEMICAL COMPLEX

In this study petrochemical supply chain shares in global warming is studied by monitoring carbon footprint during manufacturing and distribution phase. For identification and measurement of carbon emissions in petrochemical supply chain, at first step necessary data are collected. Then carbon footprint is calculated in manufacturing process. So GHG is measured during fossil fuel use for chemical productions and electricity production in exclusive power plant in production phase. Also carbon emissions are calculated during chemical process (non-energy use of fossil fuels). The other activity that has an impact on GHG emissions is transportation. In this study Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) methodology was employed. For conducting this research Shazand petrochemical complex in Iran is selected as a case study. The calculations and monitoring GHG will help to greening the petrochemical supply chain.The result shows GHG emissions in Shazad petrochemical complex supply chain is 6108960.35 tons per year. 6100434.9 tones CO2equ per year emit from manufacturing phase and 8525.4 tones CO2equ per year emit from distribution phase. Based on a comparison with statistics from United Nation Statistics division reports contribution of manufacturing phase of Shazand Petrochemical supply chain in global warming is about 0.020% and Based on a comparison with statistics from Iranian fuel Conservation Company and energy balance reports the contribution of distribution phase of Shazand Petrochemical supply chain in global warming is about 0.004%.

Non-energy use of fossil fuels and resulting carbon dioxide emissions: bottom–up estimates for the world as a whole and for major developing countries

We present and apply a simple bottom–up model for estimating non-energy use of fossil fuels and resulting CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions. We apply this model for the year 2000: (1) to the world as a whole, (2) to the aggregate of Annex I countries and non-Annex I countries, and (3) to the ten non-Annex I countries with the highest consumption of fossil fuels for non-energy purposes. We find that worldwide non-energy use is equivalent to 1,670 ± 120 Mt (megatonnes) CO2 and leads to 700 ± 90 Mt CO2 emissions. Around 75% of non-energy use emissions is related to industrial processes. The remainder is attributed to the emission source categories of solvent and other product use, agriculture, and waste. Annex I countries account for 51% (360 ± 50 Mt CO2) and non-Annex I countries for 49% (340 ± 70 Mt CO2) of worldwide non-energy use emissions. Among non-Annex I countries, China is by far the largest emitter of non-energy use emissions (122 ± 18 Mt CO2). Our research deepens the understanding of non-energy use and related CO2 emissions in countries for which detailed emission inventories do not yet exist. Despite existing model uncertainties, we recommend NEAT-SIMP to inventory experts for preparing correct and complete non-energy use emission estimates for any country in the world.

Non-energy use and related carbon dioxide emissions in Germany: A carbon flow analysis with the NEAT model for the period of 1990–2003

Non-energy use of fossil fuels accounts for 7% of the Total Primary Energy Supply (TPES) of Germany and represents an important potential source of CO 2 (carbon dioxide) emissions. To gain a better understanding of emissions associated with non-energy use in Germany, we conduct a bottom- up carbon flow analysis with the Non-energy use Emission Accounting Tables (NEAT) model for the period of 1990–2003. We calculate average yearly non-energy use emissions to be 25 ± 2 megatonnes (Mt) CO 2, of which 77% are related to industrial processes, 17% to solvent and other product use, 2% to fertilizer use in agriculture, and 4% to wastewater treatment. The comparison of NEAT estimates and official data reveals gaps and errors in the German greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory. This research highlights the difficulties associated with non-energy use emissions accounting not only in Germany but in other countries as well. To ensure correct calculation of non-energy use emissions, we recommend that inventory experts (i) obtain detailed insight into the system boundaries of non-energy use data as stated in national energy statistics, (ii) allocate non-energy use emissions accordingly to the relevant emission source categories (i.e., energy, industrial processes, solvent and other product use, agriculture, or waste), (iii) ensure completeness of emission estimates, and (iv) be cautious with the use of default emission factors as given by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Applying bottom-up analysis to identify the system boundaries of non-energy use data in international energy statistics

Data on the non-energy use of fossil fuels in energy statistics are subject to major uncertainties. We apply a simple bottom-up methodology to recalculate non-energy use for the entire world and for the 50 countries with the highest consumption of fossil fuels for non-energy purposes. We quantify worldwide non-energy use in the year 2000 to be 24±2 exajoules (EJ), thereby accounting for 6% of the global total primary energy supply (TPES). Our bottom-up estimates are in line with data from international energy statistics for the entire world and for 14 individual countries. Our estimates exceed official non-energy use data for 22 countries, whereas they are lower than official data in the case of 14 countries. Inconsistent system boundaries of non-energy use data in international energy statistics can explain parts of the observed deviations. We regard our bottom-up methodology as reliable albeit being attached with uncertainties. We recommend its use for energy statisticians and greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory makers to generate a shortlist of countries, for which efforts should be made to clarify and improve the quality of non-energy use data in national and international energy statistics.

CO 2 emissions and carbon storage resulting from the non-energy use of fossil fuels in the Netherlands, NEAT results for 1993–1999

Estimating CO 2 emissions resulting from the non-energy use of fossil fuels is not straightforward, because part of the carbon is released quickly as CO 2 whereas another part is first embodied in organic chemicals. To contribute to a more accurate non-energy use CO 2 emission accounting, the Non-energy use Emission Accounting Tables (NEAT) model has been developed, which is in this paper applied to the Netherlands for the time period 1993–1999. For this period, we estimate the total non-energy use in CO 2 equivalents in the Netherlands to vary between 26.1 and 30.2 Mt CO 2. Of this total, 4.6–6.6 Mt CO 2 is emitted in industrial processes and during product use. The remainder is stored, resulting in an overall storage fraction of approximately 80%. Given the uncertainties involved, we cannot distinguish clear trends for the years of study. We show that the definition of non-energy use has a significant effect on the calculated storage fractions. The carbon storage according to the Dutch national greenhouse gas (GHG) emission inventory is 5–9 Mt CO 2 lower compared to the NEAT result. As a result, total fossil CO 2 emissions (including those from fossil fuel combustion) according to the national inventory are higher by the same amount, which is 3–5% of the total Dutch emissions. The difference is among other things caused by difficulties associated with the direct use of non-energy use figures from the Dutch energy statistics for CO 2 emission accounting. We recommend improving the Dutch GHG emission inventory making use of the results of this study.

CO 2 emission accounting for the non-energy use of fossil fuels in Italy: A comparison between NEAT model and the IPCC approaches

In this article, we apply the Non-energy Use Emission Accounting Tables (NEAT) model as an independent mass balance approach to Italy in order to estimate total non-energy use and related CO 2 emissions for the year 1990 and the period 1995–1997. The model results are compared with official data according to the IPCC Reference Approach (IPCC-RA) and the IPCC Sectoral Approach (IPCC-SA) of the Italian National Inventory Report. The NEAT results for total non-energy use range between 25.0 and 27.6 Mt CO 2 equivalents and are therefore clearly below the values used in the IPCC-RA (31.3–32.8 Mt CO 2 equivalents). Our research revealed inconsistencies in the IPCC-RA regarding feedstock consumption (i) of steam crackers in 1990 and (ii) for ammonia production in the period of 1995–1997. The CO 2 emissions as determined with NEAT correspond well with official IPCC-SA values for most individual industrial processes. However, the total industrial process emissions are underestimated in the IPCC-SA because CO 2 released from methanol and carbon black production is not taken into account. Moreover, we calculate with NEAT 14–61% higher CO 2 emissions from ‘solvent and other product use’ than the IPCC-SA. These deviations are caused to some extent by the fact that the IPCC-SA does not account for CO 2 emissions from the consumption of lubricants. In total, we therefore conclude that emissions from the non-energy use of fossil fuels are currently underestimated in the IPCC-SA. Further research is recommended (i) to improve the general accuracy of emission estimates for ‘solvent and other product use’ in the IPCC-SA and (ii) to introduce a definition for non-energy use, which allocates feedstock consumption consistently to either energy use or non-energy use in the IPCC-SA and the IPCC-RA of the Italian National Inventory Report.

Modelling CO 2 emissions from non-energy use with the non-energy use emission accounting tables (NEAT) model

To contribute to a more accurate accounting of CO 2 emissions originating from the non-energy use of fossil fuels, the non-energy use emission accounting tables (NEAT) model has been developed. The model tracks the final fate of the carbon embodied in this non-energy use by means of a carbon flow analysis for the relevant sectors. The model generates estimates for total non-energy use, carbon storage in synthetic organic chemicals and CO 2 emissions resulting from non-energy use that are independent from energy statistics. This paper describes the basic methodology of the NEAT model. It is shown that the results obtained with the model can be used as an important addition to and crosscheck for the non-energy use emission accounting in official greenhouse gas (GHG) emission inventories prepared according to the guidelines of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The model can help to identify which definitions of non-energy use are applied in the energy statistics employed in national emission inventories and can help to improve national inventory methodologies based on this insight.

Carbon dioxide emissions from non-energy use of fossil fuels: Summary of key issues and conclusions from the country analyses

The non-energy use of fossil fuels is a source of carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions that is not negligible and has been increasing substantially in the last three decades. Current emission estimates for this source category are subject to major uncertainties. One important reason is that non-energy use as published in energy statistics is not defined in a consistent manner, rendering calculation results based on these data incomparable across countries (concerns in particular the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Reference Approach). Further reasons are the complexity and interlinkage of the energy and material flows in the chemical/petrochemical sector and the current use of storage fractions as default values in the IPCC Reference Approach, which are based on a different definition of storage and refer to other flows than those available from energy statistics. Several other shortcomings of the IPCC Reference Approach are identified in this paper, e.g. the fact that it neglects international trade of synthetic organic products. In order to improve emissions accounting, the Non-Energy Use and CO 2 Emissions (NEU-CO 2) network developed a model called Non-Energy Use Emission Accounting Tables (NEAT), which is based on Material Flow Analysis (MFA). The NEAT model and other MFA approaches have been applied to several countries. In this paper, the results for Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands and the USA are compared with the values published in National Communications to the United Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It is shown that the international harmonisation of the data sources (energy statistics) and the methods applied would lead to substantially different emissions results for some countries, in the order of several percent. Moreover, the NEAT model and the other MFA have proved to be a valuable tool to identify errors in energy statistics. These results confirm the need for enhanced efforts to improve and harmonise energy statistics and estimation methods for CO 2 emissions from non-energy use. The articles in this special issue contribute to reaching these goals.

Analytic framework for analyzing non-energy uses of fossil fuels as petrochemical feedstocks in the USA

Carbon dioxide emissions from the non-energy use (NEU) of fossil fuels are a significant source of national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the USA. As one of the emission sources that make the largest contribution to the absolute overall level of national emissions, NEU is a “key source” in the U.S. GHG Inventory, accounting for 4.6% of USA fossil fuel emissions in 2002. As suggested by IPCC/UNEP/OECD/IEA [IPCC/UNEP/OECD/IEA. Revised 1996 IPCC guidelines for national greenhouse gas inventories. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, United Nations Environment Programme, Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development. Paris, France: International Energy Agency; 1997], the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has designed an approach for characterizing emissions and long-term storage of carbon in NEU, tailored to USA conditions and data availability, which yield results that are more accurate than application of the general assumptions supplied by the IPCC guidelines. In the USA, of the various non-energy uses of fossil fuels, petrochemical feedstocks is the largest, followed by asphalt, lubricants, and other categories. The overall storage factor for petrochemical feedstocks in the USA for 2002, calculated as the quotient of carbon stored divided by total carbon in feedstocks, is 67%. In other words, of the net consumption, 67% was destined for long-term storage in products – including products subsequently combusted for waste disposal – while the remaining 33% was emitted to the atmosphere directly as CO 2 (e.g., through combustion of industrial byproducts) or indirectly as CO 2 precursors (e.g., through evaporative product use). The basic framework used in this approach could be applied in other countries, and is similar in several respects to the Non-Energy use Emission Accounting Tables (NEAT) model framework developed independently and described by other authors in this issue.

Japanese carbon storage in materials.

The NEAT model (Nonenergy-use Emission Accounting Tables) has been developed in order to estimate CO2 emissions caused by so-called nonenergy use of fossil fuels. The model is based on material flow accounting. The model has been applied to a number of countries in order to validate and improve its use. This paper discusses the case study for Japan. The NEAT analysis suggests that emissions in 1996 were 23 Mt higher than previously estimated based on the guidelines of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This quantity equals 1.9% of the total Japanese greenhouse gas emission. It is recommended to adjust the Japanese emission accounting practice and to apply more detailed emission estimation methods in future years. Given similar results for other countries it is also recommended to improve the IPCC guidelines.

CO 2 emission reduction for Japanese petrochemicals

Energy efficiency in the Japanese industry is one of the highest in the world. As a consequence, reduction of CO 2 emissions is considered to be difficult and costly. However little attention has been paid as of yet to changes related to so-called non-energy use of fossil fuels. The analysis in this paper suggests that a large number of options exist for emission reduction in the Japanese petrochemical industry. This includes the introduction of biomass feedstocks, the introduction of new catalytic production processes, and changes in waste handling. The use of bioplastics and the use of CO 2 feedstocks seem costly options for GHG emission reduction that should not be applied on the short term. Japanese GHG emissions can be reduced by 7.7% if the optimal set of emission mitigation options is applied. About 60 Mt emission reduction (4.9%) can be achieved by changes on the supply side, another 35 Mt emission reduction (2.8%) can be achieved by changes in waste management. While changes in waste management can be implemented before 2010, biomass introduction on the supply side will probably require a longer lead-time. About half of the emission reduction is cost–effective, but will require further technology development. The other half can be achieved at a cost level of 10,000 yen/t CO 2 (80 US$/t CO 2). The latter part is based on proven technology that is currently not cost–effective.

Assessment of CO 2 Emission Reduction Strategies for the Japanese Petrochemical Industry

Abstract: This article analyzes the possibilities for reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the life cycle of Japanese petrochemicals, focusing primarily on the nonenergy use of fossil fuels. For this purpose a linear programming model called CHEAP (CHemical industry Environmental strategy Analysis Program) has been developed. The results show a moderate autonomous growth of emissions by 5% in the period 2000 to 2020, if it is assumed that no new technology is introduced and demand (measured in physical units) increases 1% per year, on average. However, if it is assumed that ongoing technology development succeeds, emissions in 2020 may decrease by 5% from 2000 levels (a decrease of 10% compared to the case that assumes no new technology). This is a significant contribution to emission reduction. According to this model, a further emission reduction by 10% in 2020 is possible but costly as it requires emission reduction incentives of up to 10,000 yen per ton CO2 (approximately 100 US/ton). The use of biomass feed‐stocks, waste recycling, energy recovery from waste and gas‐based co‐generation are the main strategies for achieving this emission reduction.

Simulation of process chains and recycling strategies for carbon based materials using a conventional process simulator

In the field of non-energy use of fossil fuels, energy and material flows are very complex. We developed a process chain model to understand the interlinkages and the resulting CO 2 emissions of such a system. This work aims to assess the implications of structural changes in production processes together with recycling strategies and production rates. The model is based on data for West Germany in 1989. Starting from an Excel spreadsheet model for mass flows we began to transfer our model to a conventional process simulator in order to test the optimizing capabilities and the balance options for material and energy flows. Due to the complexity of the task, we tested the usefulness of the simulator for the envisioned purposes using a small example for the production of PVC. The first results of a sensitivity study and an optimization run for recycling strategies are presented. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of using a process simulator for the modelling of process chains is discussed.