Carbon conservation strategy for the management of pig slurry by composting: Initial study of the bulking agent influence

The intensification of the livestock production systems implies a potential environmental risk, associated with the great generation of animal wastes and slurries and their storage and management. Manure management is associated with considerable emissions of ammonia (NH₃) and greenhouse gases (GHG). However, the potential for GHG mitigation is highly dependent on the waste treatment strategy considered. This laboratory study aims to evaluate the influence of the type of bulking agent used on the potential reduction of the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission, dealing with carbon (C) conservation when the solid fraction of pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) slurry is managed by composting. For this, a composting experiment in batch reactors was run with four mixtures elaborated using the solid fraction of pig slurry (SPS) and different materials (maize (Zea mays) stalks, barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) straw, cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) gin and garden prunings) as bulking agents. The potential C conservation in the mixtures was evaluated by determining the CO₂ emissions; the evolution of the mixtures, the thermal profile developed and the thermodynamics of the process were also studied. The mixtures elaborated with cotton gin and garden prunings showed the fastest temperature development, and also the highest CO₂ emissions. However, the use of maize stalks as bulking agent reduced CO₂ emissions due to its slow degradability: this could constitute a suitable strategy to promote C conservation during the management of pig slurry by composting.     

Renewable energy resources and technologies in Nigeria: present situation, future prospects and policy framework

Nigeria is endowed with abundant energy resources, both conventional and renewable, whichprovide her with immense capacity to develop an effective national energy plan. However, introduction of renewable energyresources into the nation's energy mix have implications on itsenergy budget. The national energy supply system has been projected intothe future using MARKAL, a large scale linear optimization model.However, this model may not be absolutely representative of the highlynon-linear future of renewable energy. Results of the model reveal that under onlya least cost constraint, only large hydro power technology is the prominentcommercial renewable energy technology in the electricity supply mix of thecountry. Despite the immense solar energy potentials available, solar electricity generation is attractive only under severeCO2 emissions mitigation of the nation's energy supply system. Similarly, the penetration of small-scale hydro power technology in theelectricity supply mix is favoured only under CO₂ emissionsconstraints. Due to economy of scale, large hydropower technology takes the lion share of all the commercial renewableenergy resources share for electricity generation under any CO₂emissions constraint. These analyses reveal that some barriers exist to thedevelopment and penetration of renewable energy resources electricity production in Nigeria's energy supplysystem. Barriers and possible strategies to overcome them arediscussed. Intensive efforts and realistic approachtowards energy supply system in the country will have to be adopted inorder to adequately exploit renewable energy resources and technologiesfor economic growth and development.     

中国平板玻璃生产碳排放研究

平板玻璃行业是典型的高能耗、高排放行业,目前关于中国平板玻璃行业的碳排放问题还没有得到深入的研究.因此,本文调查了中国300余条主要的平板玻璃生产线,并在此基础上从范围1(工艺过程和化石燃料燃烧引起的直接排放)和范围2(净购入电力和热力在生产阶段引起的间接排放)评估了中国平板玻璃行业从2005年到2014年的CO_2排放情况.结果发现,中国平板玻璃行业CO_2排放量逐年增加,由2005年的2626.9×10~4t逐步上升到2015年的4620.5×10~4t.研究表明:能源消耗是平板玻璃行业碳排放的最主要来源,占比在80%左右,节能降耗是促进平板玻璃行业CO_2减排的主要途径;平板玻璃生产原料中碳酸盐的热分解是CO_2的主要来源之一,占总排放量的20%左右,控制平板玻璃配合料的气体率,在减少平板玻璃生产过程中的CO_2排放有很大潜力;推荐平板玻璃新建项目使用天然气并配备大型熔窑(日熔化量650 t以上)的浮法玻璃生产线,以减少CO_2排放.     

Life cycle greenhouse gas emissions, fossil fuel demand and solar energy conversion efficiency in European bioethanol production for automotive purposes

Crop derived biofuels such as (bio)ethanol are increasingly applied for automotive purposes. They have, however, a relatively low efficiency in converting solar energy into automotive power. The outcome of life cycle studies concerning ethanol as to fossil fuel inputs and greenhouse gas emissions associated with such inputs depend strongly on the assumptions made regarding e.g. allocation, inclusion of upstream processes and estimates of environmentally relevant in- and outputs. Peer reviewed studies suggest that CO₂ emissions linked to life cycle fossil fuel input are typically about 2.1–3.0 kg CO₂ kg⁻¹ starch-derived ethanol. When biofuel production involves agricultural practices that are common in Europe there are net losses of carbon from soil and emissions of the greenhouse gas N₂O. Dependent on choices regarding allocation, they may, for wheat (starch) be in the order of 0.6–2.5 kg CO₂ equivalent kg⁻¹ of ethanol. This makes ethanol derived from starch, or sugar crops, in Europe still less attractive for mitigating climate change. In case of wheat, changes in agricultural practice may reduce or reverse carbon loss from soils. When biofuel production from crops leads to expansion of cropland while reducing forested areas or grassland, added impetus will be given to climate change.     

Co-utilisation of CO2 and steelmaking slags for production of pure CaCO3 – legislative issues

The steel industry is characterised by large amounts of CO₂ emissions, but there is no easy means to reduce these emissions. One interesting option for the reduction of CO₂ emissions could be the utilisation of steelmaking slags for carbon dioxide mineralisation. In this option CO₂ is bound with the calcium of the slag material, producing stable carbonate as an end product. The utilisation of steelmaking slags as the raw material for carbon dioxide mineralisation will change the quality of the slags. If, however, this change degrades the slags it could prevent the use of slags in carbon dioxide mineralisation or make it very expensive.The purpose of the research presented here is to evaluate this issue with the help of a case study where the quality of the residual slag from the recently suggested carbonation method was experimentally investigated. The CO₂ mineralisation method, based on steelmaking slags and ammonium salt solutions, was found to change the quality of the slags: the calcium content was reduced, the CaO and Ca(OH)₂ phases were completely dissolved, and the solubility of the V and Cr increased notably. This residual slag would presumably have to be handled as waste. Currently, the steelmaking slag used in the case study is defined as a by-product, but if it is used for CO₂ mineralisation instead of liming its legal status will be re-evaluated. Subsequently, the CO₂ mineralisation process could possibly be defined as an end-of-waste procedure.     

Forest carbon management,the greenhouse effect and electric utilities

Electric utilities in the US have initiated forestry projects to conserve energy and to offset carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. In 1995, 40 companies raised US$2.5 million to establish the non-profit UtiliTree Carbon Company which is now sponsoring eight projects representing a mix of rural tree planting, forest preservation, forest management and research efforts at both domestic (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Oregon) and international sites (Belize and Malaysia). The projects include extensive external verification. Such forestry projects — properly documented, monitored and verified — should be a component of domestic and international strategies to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, due to GHG benefits, cost-effectiveness and many other environmental benefits (e.g., related to habitat, erosion and biodiversity). These projects on average are projected to manage CO₂ at a cost of about US $1 per ton. Experts have determined through a series of technical workshops and projects that GHG benefits can be accurately quantified for most types of forestry projects and, in fact, forestry projects in general present no greater challenges than energy-related projects. Near-term policy decision-making related to CO₂ management via forestry is discussed.     

Life-cycle environmental and economic impacts of energy-crop fuel-chains: an integrated assessment of potential GHG avoidance in Ireland

This paper combines life-cycle analyses and economic analyses for Miscanthus and willow heat and electricity fuel-chains in Ireland. Displaced agricultural land-uses and conventional fuels were considered in fuel-chain permutations. Avoided greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions ranged from 7.7 to 35.2 t CO₂ eq. ha⁻¹ a⁻¹. Most fuel-chain permutations exhibited positive discounted financial returns, despite losses for particular entities at a farm-gate processed-biomass price of €100 t⁻¹ dry-matter. Attributing a value of €10 t⁻¹ CO₂ eq. to avoided GHG emissions, but subtracting financial returns associated with displaced fuel supplies, resulted in discounted annual national economic benefits (DANEBs) ranging from −457 to 1887€ ha⁻¹ a⁻¹. Extrapolating a plausible combination of fuel-chains up to a national indicative scenario resulted in GHG emission avoidance of 3.56 Mt CO₂ eq. a⁻¹ (5.2% of national emissions), a DANEB of 167 M€, and required 4.6% of national agricultural land area. As cost-effective national GHG avoidance options, Miscanthus and willow fuel-chains are robust to variation in yields and CO₂ price, and appear to represent an efficient land-use option (e.g. compared with liquid biofuel production). Policies promoting utilisation of these energy-crops could avoid unnecessary, and environmentally questionable, future purchase of carbon credits, as currently required for national Kyoto compliance.     

Analyzing the efficacy of subtropical urban forests in offsetting carbon emissions from cities

Urban forest management and policies have been promoted as a tool to mitigate carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. This study used existing CO₂ reduction measures from subtropical Miami-Dade and Gainesville, USA and modeled carbon storage and sequestration by trees to analyze policies that use urban forests to offset carbon emissions. Field data were analyzed, modeled, and spatially analyzed to compare CO₂ sequestered by managing urban forests to equivalent amounts of CO₂ emitted in both urban areas. Urban forests in Gainesville have greater tree density, store more carbon and present lower per-tree sequestration rates than Miami-Dade as a result of environmental conditions and urbanization patterns. Areas characterized by natural pine-oak forests, mangroves, and stands of highly invasive trees were most apt at sequestering CO₂. Results indicate that urban tree sequestration offsets CO₂ emissions and, relative to total city-wide emissions, is moderately effective at 3.4 percent and 1.8 percent in Gainesville and Miami-Dade, respectively. Moreover, converting available non-treed areas into urban forests would not increase overall CO₂ emission reductions substantially. Current CO₂ sequestration by trees was comparable to implemented CO₂ reduction policies. However, long-term objectives, multiple ecosystem services, costs, community needs, and preservation of existing forests should be considered when managing trees for climate change mitigation and other ecosystem services.     

Life cycle emissions of greenhouse gases associated with burning animal wastes in countries of the European Union

Burning animal wastes for the production of electricity is stimulated in the European Union because of the ‘climate neutrality’ of its life cycle. In doing so fossil fuel inputs in animal husbandry and the N₂O and CH₄ emissions associated with animal husbandry are neglected. Here types of relatively fossil fuel efficient animal husbandry in the European Union are analysed without neglecting such inputs and emissions. The burning of pig derived animal meal, a single-output process, was found to be associated with an emission of greenhouse gases equivalent to 33 × 10²–44 × 10² g CO₂/kilowatt-hour (kWh). In most cases, however, animal wastes can be viewed as outputs from a multi-output production process. If system expansion is not possible, one may allocate multi-output process emissions on the basis of financial value or on a physical basis. Allocating on the basis of energy content of outputs of animal husbandry the burning of manure from poultry, dairy cows and pigs was estimated to generate between 6.3 × 10² and 19.5 × 10² g CO₂ equivalent per kWh. When allocating on the basis of financial value, burning manure in the Netherlands corresponds with net-sequestration, as the monetary value of manure is negative. For chicken manure a net sequestration was found of 2.5 × 10²–3.9 × 10² g CO₂ equivalent/kWh. Thus life cycle emissions of burning animal waste are extremely sensitive to the allocation principle favoured. One may extend the life cycle for instance by including indirect effects such as the substitution of carbon that is lost to agriculture due to burning animal wastes. Such an extension may well lead to a changed emission in terms of CO₂ equivalent emitted per kWh.     

中国水泥工业CO2产生机理及减排途径研究

根据水泥生产的基本原理和工艺特点,推导出煤燃烧和石灰质原料煅烧时CO2排放因子分别为2.38 t·t-1和0.527 t·t-1;采用水泥工业CO2排放数学模型计算2001-2008年中国水泥工业CO2排放量,并分析了不同的生产技术水平和产品品种结构对CO2,排放量的影响.结果表明:中国水泥工业CO2排放量与单位产品的...     

京津冀区域生产和消费CO2排放的时空特点分析

区分消费和生产二氧化碳排放是对开放的经济区域进行排放责任划分的基础,日渐受到政策制定者的关注.利用经济投入产出-生命周期分析模型,对京津冀区域1997年、2002年和2007年的消费和生产二氧化碳排放时空特征及二氧化碳排放平衡进行分析.结果表明,京津冀区域消费和生产二氧化碳排放呈约4%的年均增长;贸易隐含二氧化碳排放比例为30%~83%,并以国内贸易隐含二氧化碳排放为主;河北的消费和生产二氧化碳排放占区域主导,增速和二氧化碳排放强度高于北京和天津;京津冀区域为二氧化碳排放净流入区域,存在部分排放责任转移;京津为二氧化碳排放净转入地区,冀为二氧化碳排放净转出地区;京津冀三地二氧化碳排放关键部门分布集中且相似度较高,可以考虑区域联合控制.其中,电力、蒸汽、热水生产和供应业和金属冶炼及压延加工业对二氧化碳排放的依赖性最大,承担较大的其他部门的二氧化碳排放责任.投入产出分析解析了地区生产和消费二氧化碳排放情况,有利于区域减排的精细化管理和制定相应对策,并促进区域减排合作.     

市政污水厂典型A2O工艺低碳运行的系统性评估

在“碳达峰、碳中和”的目标下，系统评估典型A²O工艺运行的碳排放当量及其组成，对我国市政污水厂的低碳运行具有重要的指导意义.以焦作市第一污水厂2020年的运行资料为研究案例，基于相关指南，引入水温因素构建阿伦尼乌斯公式模型用于核算直接碳排放过程，从电能消耗、药剂投加和污泥运输这3个方面核算间接碳排放过程.结果表明，CH₄和N₂O日排放强度为(115±56)kg·d^-1和(30±18)kg·d^-1;生化处理工段的能耗和药剂间接碳排放占比分别达到48.4%和51.3%; 2020年污水厂总计碳排放当量(以CO₂eq计)为2.17×10⁴t,单位污水碳排放当量(0.63±0.07)kg·m^-3;不同碳排放占比的大小顺序为：污水能耗(36.5%)>污水药剂(26.6%)>N₂O直接(15.4%)>污泥药剂(9.6%)>污泥能耗(6.7%)>CH₄直...     

郑州市公交车队电动化减污降碳环境效益

公交车队电动化是道路交通部门实现减污降碳的重要手段,评估当前公交车队电动化减排成效,对推进大中型城市公交全面电动化具有重要参考意义.基于燃料生命周期法分析了郑州市公交车队电动化前后CO₂和污染物排放特征,并评估了不同电动化情景下的车队排放.结果表明,本轮电动化使公交车队燃料生命周期内CO₂和PM_2.5排放量分别增长32.6%和42.6%,CO、NO_x和VOC排放量下降了28%,34%和25%.优化发电结构对于电动化过程中的CO₂及PM_2.5减排尤为重要,在全面电动化和发电结构优化的最佳情景下,CO₂、CO、NO_x、VOC和PM_2.5减排可达38.7%、80.1%、84.4%、92.2%、30.2%.在全面电动化进程中,应优先对中长里程线路车辆进行电动化替换,此外,插电混动天然气车型的纯电动化替换对减排利弊兼有,同步推进车队替换和电力结构调整进程才能实现减污降碳协同增效.     

基于中国电网结构及一线典型城市车辆出行特征的PHEV二氧化碳排放分析

中国电网火电比例的空间差异与插电式混合动力汽车（PHEV）驱动能源的二元性增加了研究PHEV二氧化碳排放的复杂性.使用上海市50辆PHEV汽车13万km的数据,研究了基于PHEV实际运行数据的二氧化碳排放评估方法,分析了PHEV纯电驱动里程比例及其影响因素,获得了纯电续驶里程、充电频率、电网构成对PHEV二氧化碳排放强度的影响,展望了2020年PHEV技术水平的二氧化碳减排效果.结果表明,我国一线城市PHEV乘用车出行主要集中在50 km以内的范围,占日常出行频次的70%;在2016年全国平均电网结构下,续驶里程超过50 km的PHEV比传统燃油车少排放15%以上的二氧化碳;在高比例可再生能源电网结构的地区,PHEV碳排放可降至100.0 g·km^-1以下,相比平均电网结构下碳排放水平降低幅度在28%以上;在2016年平均电网结构及技术水平下,纯电续驶里程增加（50~100 km）、充电频率增加（0.5~2次·d^-1）对碳排放的改善幅度不明显;与2016年相比,2020年PHEV燃油经济性和电耗水平的改善可降低32%的碳排放.     

Valuing power plant flexibility with CCS: the case of post-combustion capture retrofits

An important development in recent years has been increased interest in retrofitting CO₂ capture at existing power plants. In parallel, it has also been suggested that flexible operation of power plants with CO₂ capture could be important in at least some jurisdictions. It is likely that retrofitted power plants could have significant ??built-in?? flexibility, but this potential is often not considered in studies of the economic performance of power plants with CO₂ capture. This paper makes a contribution to filling this gap by developing methods for first order screening analysis of flexible operation of power plants with CO₂ capture and applying them to the case study example of an appropriately integrated retrofit of post-combustion capture at a coal-fired power plant. The quantitative analysis suggests that rich solvent storage could be an attractive option on a short-run basis for some fuel, CO₂ and electricity price combinations. Results from first order analysis can then be used to determine which operating modes should (and shouldn??t) be included in further, more detailed design studies.     

Technology-side carbon abatement cost curves for China’s power generation sector

China is among the largest emitters of carbon dioxide (CO₂), worldwide Thus, its emissions mitigation is of global concern. The power generation sector is responsible for nearly half of China’s total CO₂ emissions and plays a key role in emissions mitigation. This study is an integrated evaluation of abatement technologies, including both low-carbon power generation technologies and retrofitting options for coal power plants. We draw marginal abatement cost curves for these technologies using the conservation supply curve method. Using scenario analysis for the years 2015 to 2030, we discuss the potential performance of abatement technologies. Marginal costs for the analyzed abatement technologies range from RMB ? 357.41/ton CO₂ to RMB 927.95/ton CO₂. Furthermore, their cumulative mitigation potential relative to the baseline scenario could reach 35 billion tons of CO₂ in 2015–2030, with low-carbon power generation technologies and coal power abatement technologies contributing 55% and 45% of the total mitigation, respectively. Our case study of China demonstrates the power generation sector’s great potential to mitigate global emissions, and we suggest nuclear power, hydropower, and the comprehensive retrofitting of coal power as key technology options for the low-carbon transition of the energy system and long-term emissions mitigation strategies.

     

CO2 Capture in Pulp and Paper Mills: CO2 Balances and Preliminary Cost Assessment

This paper investigates overall CO₂ balances of combined heat and power (CHP) plants with CO₂ capture and storage (CCS) in Kraft pulp and paper mills. The CHP plants use biomass-based fuels and feature advanced gasification and combined cycle technology. Results from simple process simulations of the considered CHP plants are presented. Based on those results and taking into account the major direct and indirect changes in CO₂ emissions, the study shows that implementing CCS leads to steep emission reductions. Furthermore, a preliminary cost assessment is carried out to analyse the CO₂ mitigation cost and its dependence on the distance that the CO₂ must be transported to injection sites.     

Opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from households in Nigeria

Efforts to mitigate climate threats should not exclude the household as the household is a major driver of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through its consumption patterns. This paper derives an emission index that could be used to estimate inventories of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from kerosene combustion for lighting in Nigeria and also looks at the implications of solar pv lighting replacing kerosene lamp in Nigeria. Findings indicate that (1) average CO₂ emissions from kerosene combustion for lighting in Nigeria is about 0.06 kg per hour per lamp, which can be taken as the kerosene lamp CO₂ emission index for Nigeria. (2) about 3 × 10W_p solar pv will be required to replace a kerosene lamp, while about 0.124 tonnes of CO₂ will be avoided per lamp per year, operating at 6 h daily. At the national level, under the kerosene lamp replacement projection assumptions made, between 0.4 and 1.0 million tonnes of CO₂ will be avoided per year. The household investment required to owe a solar pv, including the capital cost of switching from kerosene lamp, is about US356, while the national capital investment outlay is between 1,138.265 and US356, while the national capital investment outlay is between 1,138.265 and US2,848 million. (3) Certified Emission Reduction (CER) units, assuming CO₂ is traded, will generate significant annual revenues on the order of 6.96 to almost US17.4 million per year, while earnings from unspent household kerosene fuel could amount to between 2,520 and US17.4 million per year, while earnings from unspent household kerosene fuel could amount to between 2,520 and US6,300 million over the life span of the solar pv. The micro-economic assessment carried out indicates the non-attractiveness of solar pv use at the household level, and (4) to promote solar pv use, both long and short term policy measures that aim at cost reduction were suggested. The paper concludes that, factoring the suggested measures into the climate, energy, and financial policy decision discourse in Nigeria could empower the households to play a significant role in achieving global CO₂ emission reduction, but at the local level.     

Carbon emissions and management scenarios for consumer-owned utilities

An important subset of the utility sector has been scarcely explored for its ability to reduce carbon dioxide emissions: consumer-owned electric utilities significantly contribute to U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, but are often excluded from energy efficiency and renewable energy policies. They sell a quarter of the nation's electricity, yet the carbon impact of these sales is not well understood, due to their small size, unique ownership models, and high percentage of purchased power for distribution. This paper situates consumer-owned utilities in the context of emerging U.S. climate policy, quantifying for the first time the state-by-state carbon impact of electricity sales by consumer-owned utilities. We estimate that total retail sales by consumer-owned utilities account for roughly 568 million metric tons of CO₂ annually, making this sector the 7th largest CO₂ emitter globally, and examine state-level carbon intensities of the sector in light of the current policy environment and the share of COU distribution in the states. Based on efficiency and fuel mix pathways under conceivable regulations, carbon scenarios for 2030 are developed.