(371i) Module LEVEL LCA for Analysis of SCOPE 1,2 and 3 Emissions of Chemical Plants – Implementation in Python

Alán Jimenez¹, Elias Martinez-Hernandez²

¹ Faculty of Chemistry, National Autonomous University of Mexico

² Energy Efficiency and Biofuels Division, Mexican Institute of Petroleum

ABSTRACT

Better tools to collect, analyse, understand and manage scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions are required for industries to address the decarbonisation challenge. In this work we propose a module level life cycle assessment which allows tracking the emissions in a chemical plant by dividing or decomposition the whole process into process modules and allocating emissions to outputs from each module thus facilitating the analysis. Further, the modular decomposition allows grouping highly interrelated emission sources, facilitating the management of data for analysis and decarbonisation measures by capturing closely interacting process units. Due to the unit level analysis, recycling would be an issue for allocating emissions, but the modular decomposition allows tearing of stream for LCA analysis. The approach also takes advantage of the digitalisation tools and its practical implementation in Python is feasible by taking mass balance tables from process simulators, and databases from LCA software, thus enabling a seamless integration of tools. The Python implementation will be presented and demonstrated with some case studies for a biodiesel plant and an ethylene production plant showing the practicality of the approach proposed. This will allow industrial practitioners to focus on the analysis, management and creativity for solutions and take better decisions for decarbonisation of the chemical, energy and process industries.