A Comprehensive Assessment of the Carbon Footprint of the Coal-to-Methanol Process Coupled with Carbon Capture-, Utilization-, and Storage-Enhanced Oil Recovery Technology

Xinyue Li, Bin Zhou, Weiling Jin and Huangwei Deng ()
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Xinyue Li: College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
Bin Zhou: College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830049, China
Weiling Jin: College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
Huangwei Deng: College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 9, 1-13

Abstract: The process of coal-to-methanol conversion consumes a large amount of energy, and the use of the co-production method in conjunction with carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology can reduce its carbon footprint. However, little research has been devoted to comprehensively assessing the carbon footprint of the coal-to-methanol (CTM) co-production system coupled with CCUS-enhanced oil recovery technology (CCUS-EOR), and this hinders the scientific evaluation of its decarbonization-related performance. In this study, we used lifecycle assessment to introduce the coefficient of distribution of methanol and constructed a model to calculate the carbon footprint of the process of CTM co-production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as well as CTM co-production coupled with CCUS-EOR. We used the proposed model to calculate the carbon footprint of the entire lifecycle of the process by using a case study. The results show that the carbon footprints of CTM co-production and CTM co-production coupled with CCUS-EOR are 2.63 t CO 2 /tCH 3 OH and 1.00 t CO 2 /tCH 3 OH, respectively, which is lower than that of the traditional CTM process, indicating their ability to achieve environmental sustainability. We also analyzed the composition of the carbon footprint of the coal-to-methanol process to identify the root causes of carbon emissions in it and pathways for reducing them. The work described here provided a reference for decision making and a basis for promoting the development of coal-to-methanol conversion and the CCUS industry in China.

Keywords: coal-to-methanol conversion; CCUS-EOR; carbon footprint; lifecycle assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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