The main source of carbon emissions in the chemical industry

The chemical industry is related to the national economy and people's livelihood, but its carbon emissions are also a heavy burden on the environment. Today's detailed examination of the chemical industry, there are three main sources of carbon emissions.

First, the combustion of fossil fuels. Chemical production often relies on coal, oil, and natural gas as the energy foundation. Many chemical processes, such as heating reactions and power supply, rely on these fossil fuels. During the combustion process, carbon combines with oxygen and escapes into the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide. Take a large chemical refinery as an example, the daily burning of massive petroleum products emits a considerable amount of carbon dioxide, which is the first cause of chemical carbon emissions.

Second, the specific reaction of the production process of chemical products. For example, the synthesis of ammonia, using the Haber-Bosch method, requires high temperature and high pressure, using natural gas or coal as raw materials, during which a large amount of carbon dioxide is generated. If cement is made, calcium carbonate is decomposed into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide. In the field of chemical building materials, this is another important way of carbon emission.

Third, the energy consumption of production equipment and material handling. Chemical production equipment is numerous, its operation requires a huge amount of energy, and the process of material transportation, separation, purification, etc., also has carbon emissions. For example, the operation of large chemical pumps and distillation towers, although the single emission is limited, it is also an important component of carbon emissions in the chemical industry.

The chemical industry has a wide range of carbon emissions sources. To reduce carbon emissions, it is necessary to make efforts in energy structure, production process, equipment energy conservation, etc., in order to relieve environmental pressure and achieve the goal of sustainable development.