An LCA study of an electricity coal supply chain
Abstract: The aim of this paper
is to provide methods to find the emission source and estimate the amount of
waste gas emissions in the electricity coal supply chain, establish the model
of the environmental impact (burden) in the electricity coal supply chain,
detect the critical factor which causes significant environmental impact, and
then identify the key control direction and reduce amount of environmental
pollution in the electricity coal supply chain.
Design/methodology/approach: In this context, life cycle inventory and
life cycle assessment of China’s electricity coal were established in three
difference stages: coal mining, coal transportation, and coal burning. Then the
outcomes were analyzed with the aim to reduce waste gases emissions’
environmental impact in the electricity coal supply chain from the perspective
of sensitivity analysis.
Findings: The results and conclusion are as follow: (1) In terms of total
waste gas emissions in electricity coal supply chain, CO2 is emitted in the
greatest quantity, accounting for 98-99 wt% of the total waste gas emissions.
The vast majority of the CO2, greater than 93%, is emitted from the power plant
when the coal is combusted. (2) Other than CO2, the main waste gas is CH4, SO2
and so on. CH4 is mainly emitted from Coal Bed Methane (CBM), so the option is
to consider capturing some of the CH4 from underground mines for an alternative
use. SO2 is mainly emitted from power plant when the coal is combusted. (3) The
environmental burden of coal burning subsystem is greatest, followed by the coal
mining subsystem, and finally the coal transportation subsystem. Improving the
coal-burning efficiency of coal-fired power plant in electricity coal supply
chain is the most effective way to reduce the environmental impact of waste gas
emissions. (4) Of the three subsystems examined (coal mining, coal
transportation, and coal burning), transportation requires the fewest resources
and has the lowest waste gas emissions. However, the energy consumption for
this subsystem is significant (excluding the mine mouth case), and
transportation distance is found to have a substantial effect on the oil
consumption and non-coal energy consumption. (5) In electricity coal supply
chain, the biggest environmental impact of waste gas emissions is GWP, followed
by EP, AP, POCP and ODP, and regional impact is greater than the global impact.
Practical implications: The model and methodology established in this
paper could be used for environmental impact assessment of waste gas emissions
in electricity coal supply chain and sensitivity analysis in China, and it
could supply reference and example for similar researches. The data information
on life cycle inventory, impact assessment and sensitivity analysis could
supply theory and data reference for waste gas emissions control in electricity
coal supply chain.
Originality/value: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time
to study the environmental influence of electricity coal supply chain by
employing a LCA approach from life cycle of electricity coal.
Author: Chao Wang, Dong Mu
Journal Code: jptindustrigg140065
