Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
For example, the emission factor for sulfur dioxide for an industrial boiler is 9.6 kg/10 5 m 3
of natural gas burned measured in standard conditions. So, if an industrial boiler uses 1,500 m 3
of natural gas per hour, then the emission of sulfur dioxide can be calculated as:
9.6 kg
3
1, 50 0 m
Emission of SO
=
×
=
0.144 kg/hour
2
10 m
53
hour
In the United States, the AP 42 is a comprehensive compilation of emission factors published
by the EPA and is available on their website. The United Kingdom's emission factors database
can be found at http://www.naei.org.uk/emissions/index.php and the European Environment
Agency's at http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/EMEPCORINAIR4.
Emissions inventories for greenhouse gases
A GHG emissions inventory is an accounting of emission sources, including the six major
GHGs (CO 2 , CH 4 , N 2 O, HFCs, PFCs, and SF 6 ), with the respective quantities, and the sinks,
if available. GHGs sinks are carbon sequestration projects (e.g., reforestation, or carbon
capture and storage whenever the technology is available).
There are several reasons to consider conducting a GHG emissions inventory being the
following the most important:
Establishing a baseline with the purpose of reducing emissions or to anticipate future
regulations.
Reporting emissions to voluntary GHG reporting programs, for instance the US Department
of Energy voluntary reporting of GHGs program.
Reporting emissions to mandatory reporting programs.
Making environmental claims.
Reporting of sustainability initiatives.
Complying with requests of customers, public, and investors.
Participating in GHG markets.
Conducting a GHG inventory
The best way to conduct a GHG inventory is by following a protocol or a standard. This
section will follow the guidelines offered by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Initiative (GHG
Protocol, 2004). The GHG protocol divides emissions into direct and indirect. Direct emissions
are generated by sources owned or controlled by the reporting entity. Indirect emissions are
the result of activities of the reporting entity, but the emission physically happens at facilities
owned by another entity. To avoid double-counting, the GHG protocol categorizes direct and
indirect emissions into three broad scopes:
Scope I: All direct GHG emissions including but not limited to emissions from stationary
and mobile equipment own by the entity, processes, in-house wastewater treatment,
fugitive emissions from unintentional and intentional release, such as equipment leaks,
and escape from refrigeration equipment.
Scope II: Indirect emissions from purchased electricity, heating, cooling, and steam.
Scope III: Other indirect emissions not covered in Scope II (e.g., outsourced activities,
employee business travel, employee commutes to and from work, waste disposal, and
third-party wastewater treatment).
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