The main source of carbon emissions in the chemical industry
In today's world, the chemical industry is booming and carbon emissions are increasing, which is related to the environment and climate, and cannot be ignored. Chemists, the industry is also important, but there are many sources of carbon emissions. The major ones are described here.

First, fuel combustion is the main cause of carbon emissions. Chemical production operations often rely on fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas. For heating and power generation, fuel is burned in boilers and furnaces, and carbon escapes from the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide. Coal combustion, with its high carbon content, releases a huge amount of carbon dioxide, and the combustion process reacts with impurities, or generates other greenhouse gases, exacerbating the risk of carbon emissions.

Second, in the process of chemical reactions, many reactions produce carbon themselves. For example, some chemical raw materials are prepared, and specific organic synthesis reactions use carbon-containing compounds as raw materials. Due to the reaction mechanism, carbon elements are chemically changed and released in the form of carbon dioxide. In part of the high-temperature cracking reaction, macromolecular hydrocarbons are decomposed, and carbon is formed in new products, which become the source of carbon emissions.

Third, the leakage of chemical production equipment is also a concern for carbon emissions. Pipes, valves, and storage containers, although there are sealing measures, they operate for a long time. Material aging, vibration wear, etc. cause poor sealing, and volatile carbon-containing compounds to escape. These fugitive gases, such as methane, have a high potential for greenhouse effect. Although the amount may not be as large as the carbon produced by combustion and reaction, it adds up to a lot, and the impact should not be underestimated.

Fourth, electricity consumption indirectly leads to carbon emissions. Chemical production consumes a lot of electricity, and the current power supply relies more on fossil energy power generation. The electricity consumption of chemical enterprises is actually related to carbon emissions in the power generation process. Even if the power grid is used for power supply, the proportion of fossil energy power generation in the power grid power structure is high, and the electricity consumption of the chemical industry also contributes to carbon emissions.

To reduce carbon emissions in the chemical industry, efforts should be made to clean fuels, optimize reactions, maintain equipment and adjust energy structures, so as to seek a harmonious symbiosis between the chemical industry and the ecological environment.