Effect of CO2 capture on the emissions of air pollutants from industrial processes

This study assesses whether the deployment of CO2 capture technologies in the European industrial sector would result in significant changes in the emissions of air pollutants (NOx, SO2, PM, and NH3) in the short term. The industrial sectors investigated were: cement, petroleum refineries, and iron and steel. The analysis included onsite emissions and changes associated with grid electricity consumption due to CO2 capture. Post-combustion capture using monoethanolamine (MEA) was considered for the cement sector and petroleum refineries, and Top Gas Recycling Blast Furnace (TGRBF) with vacuum-pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) for the iron and steel sector.The results show that when all three industrial sectors in the EU-27 are fully equipped with CO2 capture, industrial SO2 emissions in the EU-27 may decrease by 40–70% whereas NH3 emissions may increase by 120–520% (equivalent to 2–8% of total European emissions). The large increase in NH3 emissions is due to the degradation of MEA. Cement and petroleum refineries account for nearly all these changes. The results also show limited impact (within ±10% of EU-27 industrial emissions) on NOx and PM emissions. Emission changes due to electricity import/export are found to be equally important as onsite emission changes. For the iron and steel sector, the changes in National Emissions Ceilings Directive (NECD) emissions are found to be limited for the selected CO2 capture technique under conservative assumptions. However, the changes in the NECD emissions could vary largely depending on how the steel mill will adapt and operate their coke oven batteries that supply the coke to the blast furnace (BF).

► We assess impacts of short-term CO2 capture (around 2020) on air pollutant emissions from European industry.
► Cement, refineries, and iron and steel sectors in Europe are considered.
► Total industrial SO2 emissions can decrease by 40–70%; limited impacts on NOx and PM.
► NH3 emissions can increase by 2–8% of the total European emissions.
► Emission changes due to power import/export are as important as onsite emissions.