Carbon2Chem®-CCU as a Step Toward a Circular Economy

Abstract

With respect to the climate goals of the Paris agreement, different carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) reduction strategies are discussed for industrial processes. For a comparison of these strategies-carbon direct avoidance (CDA), carbon capture and storage (CCS), and carbon, capture, and utilization (CCU)-a holistic view is mandatory. In this article, recent literature is at first analyzed for stringent methodology, transparency and applied assessment criteria. Secondly, a new set of assessment criteria is presented: Beside the carbon reduction potential, the energy demand and costs, additional criteria for the mid-term impact of a CO 2 reduction strategy like the reuse potential or social acceptance are analyzed. In a third step, publicized data is converted into consistent system boundaries. Deriving from the life cycle assessment (LCA) the method "system expansion" is selected. The impact of the system expansion approach is demonstrated by calculation of the CO 2 and the energy balances of the CCU approach within different system boundaries. The system expansion is visualized systematically under the consideration of the different processes. The Carbon2Chem ® project is described as one example for the CCU approach of the steel and chemical production, which offers a CO 2 reduction of about 50%. Additionally the CO 2 reduction potential is expandable proportional with increasing utilization of top gases. A consistent level of the energy demand for the CCU approach is shown compared to the conventional production processes of steel and chemicals.

Assessment of Industrial Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategies Within Consistent System Boundaries

“…As a result, the technology has to be implementable fast, which depends on the legal situation, social acceptance, financial effort, and technical feasibility, to name just a few key factors. The detailed examination of all these factors is not part of this publication, but herewith the importance of additional assessment criteria is pointed out .…”

Apples and Apples: A Shortcut Assessment Framework for Early‐Stage Carbon Capture and Utilization Technologies Based on Efficiency, Feasibility, and Risk

“…Further qualitative indicators, such as geographical constraints, or health and safety, [ 10 ] or quantitative indicators, such as other environmental impact categories, could be used to extend the scope of assessment. Enviro‐economic indicators such as the cost of CO 2 avoided and social criteria and indicators were so far excluded from the Efferi framework; the former has an additional layer of uncertainty, [ 15 ] which needs to be resolved first and the latter is currently not common in the assessment of early‐stage CCU technologies [ 33 ] and its application is limited for the assessment in companies. [ 75 ] As the Efferi framework takes a cradle‐to‐gate assessment scope and analyzes one impact category, GWI, it only represents a preliminary environmental impact assessment; results have limited validity and shall be interpreted with caution.…”

“…Shortcut studies compare many alternatives on a low level of detail, in contrast to full‐scope studies that compare a few technology alternatives on a high level of detail. Various indicators are used in scientific, industry, and governmental literature, such as energy efficiency, [ 30 ] energy consumption or demand, [ 31–33 ] relative added value, [ 10,33–35 ] production volume or market potential, [ 10,34–37 ] economic limitations or feasibility, [ 10,36,37 ] substitution of fossil fuels, [ 10,35 ] mass of carbon or CO 2 utilized as a rate or potential, [ 10,31,34,35 ] CO 2 emissions reduction as a rate or potential, [ 33–35,37,38 ] health and safety, [ 10,34 ] cost of CO 2 utilized, [ 34 ] cost of CO 2 avoidance [ 38 ] and technology maturity or availability. [ 10,35,36 ] Related methodological papers propose generic frameworks on how to merge environmental assessment with TEA [ 39,40 ] or propose a detailed list of 140 indicators including data needs.…”

Circular Carbon Economy (CCE): A Way to Invest CO2 and Protect the Environment, a Review

“…Reuse: Carbon capture and utilisation mean that CO 2 does not chemically react to manufacture-enhanced or enhanced oil recovery material. In this context, the experience of the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) is considered a pioneer in storing and recycling carbon dioxide in the industry, to produce fertilisers and methanol, with 500,000 tons of carbon dioxide recycled each year [37].…”