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Life cycle assessment of the conventional and solar thermal production of zinc and synthesis gas

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  • Werder, Miriam
  • Steinfeld, Aldo

Abstract

The current industrial productions of zinc and synthesis gas are characterized by their high energy consumption and their concomitant environmental pollution. Emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) could be reduced substantially by combining both productions and by replacing fossil fuels with concentrated solar energy as the source of high-temperature process heat. The extent of such a GHG mitigation has been quantified by conducting a Life Cycle Assessment on the solar- and fossil-fuel-based processes. Total GHG emissions for the conventional zinc production are 3.14 CO2-eq per kg primary zinc (99.995% purity), of which 64% are derived from the electricity consumption in the electrolytic step. Total GHG emissions for the conventional syngas production are 1.04 CO2-eq per kg syngas (molar ratio H2/CO=2), of which 84% are derived from the combustion of fossil fuels in the endothermic steam-reforming step. Total emissions for the solar combined process are 1.51 CO2-eq per 1kg zinc and 0.527kg syngas, of which 78% are derived from the pre-/post-processing of reactants and products of the solar reactor, and 16% are derived from their transportation to/from the solar site. However, CO2-eq emissions derived from the solar processing step and its infrastructure are negligible.

Suggested Citation

  • Werder, Miriam & Steinfeld, Aldo, 2000. "Life cycle assessment of the conventional and solar thermal production of zinc and synthesis gas," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 25(5), pages 395-409.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:25:y:2000:i:5:p:395-409
    DOI: 10.1016/S0360-5442(99)00083-3
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    Cited by:

    1. Yadav, Deepak & Banerjee, Rangan, 2016. "A review of solar thermochemical processes," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 497-532.
    2. Adinberg, Roman & Epstein, Michael, 2004. "Experimental study of solar reactors for carboreduction of zinc oxide," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 29(5), pages 757-769.
    3. Halmann, M. & Frei, A. & Steinfeld, A., 2002. "Thermo-neutral production of metals and hydrogen or methanol by the combined reduction of the oxides of zinc or iron with partial oxidation of hydrocarbons," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 27(12), pages 1069-1084.
    4. Halmann, M. & Frei, A. & Steinfeld, A., 2007. "Carbothermal reduction of alumina: Thermochemical equilibrium calculations and experimental investigation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 32(12), pages 2420-2427.
    5. Halmann, M. & Steinfeld, A., 2006. "Production of lime, hydrogen, and methanol by the thermo-neutral combined calcination of limestone with partial oxidation of natural gas or coal," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 31(10), pages 1533-1541.
    6. Halmann, M. & Steinfeld, A., 2006. "Fuel saving, carbon dioxide emission avoidance, and syngas production by tri-reforming of flue gases from coal- and gas-fired power stations, and by the carbothermic reduction of iron oxide," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 31(15), pages 3171-3185.
    7. Samira Soleimani & Markus Lehner, 2022. "Tri-Reforming of Methane: Thermodynamics, Operating Conditions, Reactor Technology and Efficiency Evaluation—A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-40, September.
    8. Yadav, Deepak & Banerjee, Rangan, 2022. "Thermodynamic and economic analysis of the solar carbothermal and hydrometallurgy routes for zinc production," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 247(C).
    9. Lee, Young Eal & Koh, Kyoo-Kun, 2002. "Decision-making of nuclear energy policy: application of environmental management tool to nuclear fuel cycle," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 30(13), pages 1151-1161, October.
    10. Yadav, Deepak & Banerjee, Rangan, 2018. "A comparative life cycle energy and carbon emission analysis of the solar carbothermal and hydrometallurgy routes for zinc production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 229(C), pages 577-602.
    11. Khan, Faisal I. & Hawboldt, Kelly & Iqbal, M.T., 2005. "Life Cycle Analysis of wind–fuel cell integrated system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 30(2), pages 157-177.
    12. Voicu-Teodor Muica & Alexandru Ozunu & Zoltàn Török, 2021. "Comparative Life Cycle Impact Assessment between the Productions of Zinc from Conventional Concentrates versus Waelz Oxides Obtained from Slags," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-17, January.

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