Fixed Process Emissions

1
Fixed Process Emissions
Consultation with Non-Governmental
Organizations December 11, 2007
2
Issue

• Implementing the fixed process emission
  provisions in framework
• Recalling from Framework that
• Predefined fixed process emissions would have a
  0 reduction in emission intensity from 2006
  levels in 2010
• Fixed process emissions are emissions that are
  tied to production and for which there is no
  alternative technology that will reduce them.
  The only way to reduce these emissions is to
  reduce production.
• Fixed process emissions will have to be
  determined on the basis of the characteristics of
  firms and sectors.

3
What are fixed process emissions

• Most industrial GHG emissions are from
• Fuel combustion
• Burning of fossil fuels to produce energy
• Processes
• Chemical reactions in production processes or
  other releases of GHGs during the production
  process.
• Differing ability to reduce emissions
• Fuel combustion emissions can be reduced through
  fuel efficiency and the use of low emitting fuels
• Some process emissions can be reduced through the
  use of alternate processes and improved process
  control.
• Other process emissions are not controllable
• It is these process emissions that not
  controllable with alternate technologies that are
  considered fixed process emissions.

4
What are fixed process emissions Example

• Cement
• Cement is made by heating calcium carbonate
  (CaCO3), found in limestone at high temperatures
  to produce clinker (mainly calcium oxide) the
  main ingredient of cement.
• In the process as calcium carbonate converts to
  calcium oxide (CaO), CO2 is released from the
  calcium carbonate.
• CaCO3? CaO CO2.
• CO2 is released at a rate of 0.44t CO2/t Clinker.
• Combustion is the other reaction releasing CO2 in
  the process.
• Heat from combustion is needed to drive the
  reaction. This is not considered a fixed process
  emission because it is intended to produce energy
  for the process.

5
Fixed process emissions as estimated and
presented in Framework
Adapted from April 30, May 1, 2007 technical
briefings
6
Framework Background

• Estimates in Framework of fixed process emissions
  (winter 2007) were based on previous work by the
  departments.
• Have generally followed a narrow interpretation
  of what are fixed process emissions.
• Recognizing the risk of slippage on emission
  reductions if the interpretation is broadened.
• Department consulted with industry in the spring
  and summer of 2007 on fixed process emissions in
  their sectors.

7
Status

• Designation as fixed process emission is based on
  decision on whether facilities in that sector
  have the potential to reduce the process emission
  (for ex., through efficiencies, alternate
  technologies etc).
• Analysis is underway to confirm the specific
  fixed processes in each sector.

8
Annex Initial list of fixed process emissions

• Iron Ore Pellets
• The calcination of limestone and dolomite added
  to pellets as fluxing agents
• Base Metals
• The calcination of limestone and dolomite used as
  fluxing agents
• Aluminum
• Hall-Héroult process electrolytic reduction of
  alumina using carbon anodes
• Aluminia
• No fixed processes
• Cement and Lime
• The calcination of limestone and dolomite
  feedstocks

9
Annex Initial list of fixed process emissions
(cont.)

• Nitrogen Fertilizer
• Steam methane reforming to produce hydrogen used
  to make ammonia
• Titanium Dioxide
• Chloride process
• Petrochemical Industry (Ethylene oxide,
  terephthalic acid, methanol, cyclohexanol etc)
• Catalytic oxidation of hydrocarbons where 100
  conversion to desired product is not possible due
  to undesirable and uncontrollable side reactions
• Oil Sands
• Steam methane reforming to produce hydrogen used
  to upgrade bitumen
• Petroleum Refining
• Steam methane reforming to produce hydrogen used
  in refining process