Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Modern Coal Chemical Industry

China's modern coal chemical industry is an essential source of energy security, but its reliance on traditional coals as energy sources contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Researchers at the China University of Petroleum East China have developed a greenhouse gas accounting model to estimate the emission intensity of coal-to-olefin projects and explore drivers of emissions. The study found that the annual greenhouse gas emission intensity of a coal-to-olefin project in China was 10.39 tCOe/ton, with raw coal consumption being the primary contributor to emissions.

Key Takeaways:

• The modern coal chemical industry is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions in China, with traditional coals contributing to the problem.
• Researchers developed a greenhouse gas accounting model using the life cycle assessment analysis method to estimate the emission intensity of coal-to-olefin projects.
• The study found that the annual greenhouse gas emission intensity of a coal-to-olefin project in China was 10.39 tCOe/ton, with raw coal consumption being the primary contributor to emissions.
• The standardized coefficient of raw coal consumption was 0.358, followed by waste generated amount (0.274), net purchased electricity amount (0.242), and torch combustion times under abnormal conditions (0.144).
• The scenario analysis revealed that the adoption of advanced environmental protection and energy-saving technologies can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• The study concluded that greenhouse gas emissions can be effectively reduced through the implementation of emission reduction strategies and the adoption of advanced technologies.

Statistics:

• Annual greenhouse gas emission intensity of a coal-to-olefin project in China: 10.39 tCOe/ton
• Standardized coefficient of raw coal consumption: 0.358
• Standardized coefficient of waste generated amount: 0.274
• Standardized coefficient of net purchased electricity amount: 0.242
• Standardized coefficient of torch combustion times under abnormal conditions: 0.144

Sources:

• Life cycle assessment of greenhouse gas emission intensity accounting and analysis of emission reduction potential for coal-to-olefin enterprise. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2025.
• Springer Heidelberg, Tiergartenstrasse 17, D-69121 Heidelberg, Germany.
• Qingzhen Xu, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, China University of Petroleum East China, Qingdao, 266580, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
• Wenchao Meng, Letian Yang, Zidie Zhang, Ming Yang, Danyang Wang, Xuegu Zhang, Weihao Yan and Shi Li.
• NewsRx. China University of Petroleum East China Reports Findings in Science (Life cycle assessment of greenhouse gas emission intensity accounting and analysis of emission reduction potential for coal-to-olefin enterprise). Global Warming Focus. May 12, 2025; p 18.