Life cycle assessment of methanol production by natural gas route

Purpose India is a developing economy along with an increasing population estimated to be the largest populated country in about seven years. Simultaneously, its power consumption is projected to increase more than double by 2020. Currently, the dependence on coal is relatively high, making it the largest global greenhouse gas emitting sector which is a matter of great concern. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the environmental impacts of the natural gas electricity generation in India and propose a model using a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach. Design/methodology/approach LCA is used as a tool to evaluate the environmental impact of the natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) power plant, as it adopts a holistic approach towards the whole process. The LCA methodology used in this study follows the ISO 14040 and 14044 standards (ISO 14040: 2009; ISO 14044: 2009). A questionnaire was designed for data collection and validated by expert review primary data for the annual environmental emission was collected by personally visiting the power plant. The study follows a cradle to gate assessment using the CML (2001) methodology. Findings The analysis reveals that the main impacts were during the process of combustion. The Global warming potential is approximately 0.50 kg CO2 equivalents per kWh of electricity generation from this gas-based power plant. These results can be used by stakeholders, experts and members who are authorised to probe positive initiative for the reduction of environmental impacts from the power generation sector. Practical implications Considering the pace of growth of economic development of India, it is the need of the hour to emphasise on the patterns of sustainable energy generation which is an important subject to be addressed considering India’s ratification to the Paris Climate Change Agreement. This paper analyzes the environmental impacts of gas-based electricity generation. Originality/value Presenting this case study is an opportunity to get a glimpse of the challenges associated with gas-based electricity generation in India. It gives a direction and helps us to better understand the right spot which require efforts for the improvement of sustainable energy generation processes, by taking appropriate measures for emission reduction. This paper also proposes a model for gas-based electricity generation in India. It has been developed following an LCA approach. As far as we aware, this is the first study which proposes an LCA model for gas-based electricity generation in India. The model is developed in line with the LCA methodology and focusses on the impact categories specific for gas-based electricity generation.

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Biological valorization of natural gas for the production of lactic acid: Techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment

Biochemical Engineering Journal ◽

10.1016/j.bej.2020.107500 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 158 ◽

pp. 107500 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Qiang Fei ◽

Bobo Liang ◽

Ling Tao ◽

Eric C.D. Tan ◽

Ramon Gonzalez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Life Cycle Assessment ◽

Lactic Acid ◽

Life Cycle ◽

Natural Gas ◽

Economic Analysis

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Life cycle assessment-based multiobjective optimisation of synthetic natural gas supply chain: A case study for the Republic of Ireland

Journal of Cleaner Production ◽

10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120652 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 258 ◽

pp. 120652 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Alessandro Singlitico ◽

Jamie Goggins ◽

Rory F.D. Monaghan

Keyword(s):

Life Cycle Assessment ◽

Supply Chain ◽

Life Cycle ◽

Natural Gas ◽

Multiobjective Optimisation ◽

Republic Of Ireland ◽

Synthetic Natural Gas ◽

The Republic ◽

Gas Supply

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Life Cycle Assessment of Alternative Ship Fuels for Coastal Ferry Operating in Republic of Korea

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering ◽

10.3390/jmse8090660 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (9) ◽

pp. 660

Author(s):

Sang Soo Hwang ◽

Sung Jin Gil ◽

Gang Nam Lee ◽

Ji Won Lee ◽

Hyun Park ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Life Cycle Assessment ◽

Life Cycle ◽

Natural Gas ◽

Environmental Impacts ◽

Republic Of Korea ◽

Energy Sources ◽

Hard Coal ◽

Contributing Factors ◽

Steam Methane ◽

Ship Fuels

In this study, the environmental impacts of various alternative ship fuels for a coastal ferry were assessed by the life cycle assessment (LCA) analysis. The comparative study was performed with marine gas oil (MGO), natural gas, and hydrogen with various energy sources for a 12,000 gross tonne (GT) coastal ferry operating in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Considering the energy imports of ROK, i.e., MGO from Saudi Arabia and natural gas from Qatar, these countries were chosen to provide the MGO and the natural gas for the LCA. The hydrogen is considered to be produced by steam methane reforming (SMR) from natural gas with hard coal, nuclear energy, renewable energy, and electricity in the ROK model. The lifecycles of the fuels were analyzed in classifications of Well-to- Tank, Tank-to-Wake, and Well-to-Wake phases. The environmental impacts were provided in terms of global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential (AP), photochemical potential (POCP), eutrophication potential (EP), and particulate matter (PM). The results showed that MGO and natural gas cannot be used for ships to meet the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2050 GHG regulation. Moreover, it was pointed out that the energy sources in SMR are important contributing factors to emission levels. The paper concludes with suggestions for a hydrogen application plan for ships from small, nearshore ships in order to truly achieve a ship with zero emissions based on the results of this study.

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