Developing a triple helix approach for CO<sub>2</sub> utilisation assessment

McCord, Stephen; Armstrong, Katy; Styring, Peter

doi:10.1039/d1fd00002k

Cited by 9 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Finally, the sustainability of CO 2 mitigation strategies in refineries ought to consider the social dimension alongside economic and environmental trade-offs. This could follow a triple helix approach, as recently advocated for CO 2 utilization assessment (McCord et al, 2021). Furthermore, the costs associated with the transition to net-zero should be managed in a socially equitable manner (GCCSI, 2020).…”

Section: Future Prospectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Pathway Towards Net-Zero Emissions in Oil Refineries

et al. 2022

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Rapid industrialization and urbanization have increased the demand for both energy and mobility services across the globe, with accompanying increases in greenhouse gas emissions. This short paper analyzes strategic measures for the abatement of CO2 emissions from oil refinery operations. A case study involving a large conversion refinery shows that the use of post-combustion carbon capture and storage (CCS) may only be practical for large combined emission point sources, leaving about 30% of site-wide emissions unaddressed. A combination of post-combustion CCS with a CO2 capture rate well above 90% and other mitigation measures such as fuel substitution and emission offsets is needed to transition towards carbon-neutral refinery operations. All of these technologies must be configured to minimize environmental burden shifting and scope 2 emissions, whilst doing so cost-effectively to improve energy access and affordability. In the long run, scope 3 emissions from the combustion of refinery products and flaring must also be addressed. The use of synthetic fuels and alternative feedstocks such as liquefied plastic waste, instead of crude oil, could present a growth opportunity in a circular carbon economy.

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Section: Future Prospectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Pathway Towards Net-Zero Emissions in Oil Refineries

et al. 2022

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“…Carbon neutrality is an urgent goal in the current age 59 – 65 . Many technologies for producing value-added products claim using CO 2 as the feedstock can reduce CO 2 emission, but this may not be necessarily true, since the power consumed to run the facility, to produce H 2 , and to drive the chemical reaction may generate an even larger CO 2 footprint than the one the technology aims to reduce 66 . Chen’s group has recently demonstrated that using CO 2 to synthesize methanol either via thermocatalysis or electrocatalysis is still generating several mol of new CO 2 when one mol of CO 2 is consumed under the current US energy structure, far from reaching carbon neutrality 67 .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Grave-to-cradle upcycling of Ni from electroplating wastewater to photothermal CO2 catalysis

Wang

Zhang

et al. 2022

Nat Commun

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Treating hazardous waste Ni from the electroplating industry is mandated world-wide, is exceptionally expensive, and carries a very high CO2 footprint. Rather than regarding Ni as a disposable waste, the chemicals and petrochemicals industries could instead consider it a huge resource. In the work described herein, we present a strategy for upcycling waste Ni from electroplating wastewater into a photothermal catalyst for converting CO2 to CO. Specifically, magnetic nanoparticles encapsulated in amine functionalized porous SiO2, is demonstrated to efficiently scavenge Ni from electroplating wastewater for utilization in photothermal CO2 catalysis. The core-shell catalyst architecture produces CO at a rate of 1.9 mol·gNi−1·h−1 (44.1 mmol·gcat−1·h−1), a selectivity close to 100%, and notable long-term stability. This strategy of upcycling metal waste into functional, catalytic materials offers a multi-pronged approach for clean and renewable energy technologies.

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“…Social impacts are most commonly reported relative to the UN SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals; United Nations, 2015b) or GRI (Kühnen and Hahn, 2017;McCord et al, 2021;Stiching Global Reporting Initiative, 2021;Global Reporting Initiative). However, these are typically carried out around deployed operations rather than during R&D (Zimmermann and Schomäcker, 2017;McCord et al, 2021), a problematic characteristic considering the low TRL nature of many CCU processes. Failure to assess social sustainability at early project stages may lead to development and investment in socially unsustainable technologies.…”

Section: Methodological Approachesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…SIA primarily focusses on corporate social responsibility, and can be defined as; "the process of identifying the future consequences of current or proposed actions, which are related to individuals, organizations and social macro-systems" (Becker, 2001;McCord et al, 2021). Vanclay (2003), proposes that any developed guidelines should be derived from core values and principles (Vanclay, 2003) such as the UN SDGs (United Nations, 2015a).…”

Section: Social Impact Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite the clear advantages of integrated holistic assessments, differences in their respective methodological approaches, or lack thereof, have historically made the three pillars difficult to align simultaneously: most notably with respect to maintaining consistent, well defined system boundaries and assumptions. This led to calls for a harmonized set of methodologies to conduct comparable assessments (Zimmermann and Schomäcker, 2017;McCord et al, 2021;Wunderlich et al, 2021), providing the previously discussed holistic view of product or process performance. Outcomes from such studies have the potential to significantly improve current and future decision making, driving increased efficiency of resource allocation, particularly within R&D and policy making.…”

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confidence: 99%

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The pursuit of methodological harmonization within the holistic sustainability assessment of CCU projects: A history and critical review

Newman

Styring

2023

Front. Sustain.

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Environmental sustainability assessments have been conducted around consumer goods since the 1960's, these adopted comparative approaches and followed no accepted methodology. As sustainability assessment rose to prominence, methodological standardization was universally called for. Furthermore, two additional “strands” of sustainability emerged, economic and societal; forming what has recently been termed the “triple helix”. Efforts have been made across the CCU (carbon capture and utilization) community to align, or “harmonize”, the respective assessment formats. Ultimately, targeting enhanced understanding of the interconnections and trade-offs between the three strands, and communication of findings to both industry and policymakers. This review examines key methodologies presented in the field. These were collated through targeted literature searches, focussing on standalone, CCU specific, and harmonized methodologies. Relevant guidance originates with ISO's 2007 standards and terminates in McCord et al's (2021) “triple helix framework”. Other key works reviewed include UNEP / SETAC's S-LCA (social life cycle assessment) guidelines, and GCIs (Global CO2 Initiative) integrated LCA and TEA (techno-economic assessment) guidelines. Analysis of the identified methodologies first considers each assessment strand in isolation, subsequently evaluating efforts toward their CDU specific harmonization and integration. Using the collated primary and secondary literature, a taxonomy of assessment methodologies leading to the triple helix framework is produced. Key methodological difficulties and divergent schools of thought are discussed, notably the prescription of system boundaries, impact indicators, and characterization methods. The overarching conclusion of the review is that while a robust combined LCA and TEA assessment methodology has been attained, holistic approaches incorporating social sustainability are still lacking; with substantial problems remaining unsolved. A majority of these originate from SIA's immaturity relative to LCA and TEA, causing issues around data availability and handling methods; exacerbated by the presence of qualitative data. Until a greater degree of maturity is achieved, SIA should be utilized within holistic assessments as a screening tool, determining the suitability of a process or system for more granular assessment.

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Developing a triple helix approach for CO₂ utilisation assessment

Abstract: Assessment of the sustainability of CO2 utilisation technologies should encompass economic, environmental and social aspects. Though guidelines for economic and environmental assessment of CO2 utilisation (CDU) have been presented, a...

Cited by 9 publications

References 41 publications

A Pathway Towards Net-Zero Emissions in Oil Refineries

A Pathway Towards Net-Zero Emissions in Oil Refineries

Grave-to-cradle upcycling of Ni from electroplating wastewater to photothermal CO2 catalysis

The pursuit of methodological harmonization within the holistic sustainability assessment of CCU projects: A history and critical review

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Developing a triple helix approach for CO2 utilisation assessment

Abstract: Assessment of the sustainability of CO2 utilisation technologies should encompass economic, environmental and social aspects. Though guidelines for economic and environmental assessment of CO2 utilisation (CDU) have been presented, a...

Cited by 9 publications

References 41 publications

A Pathway Towards Net-Zero Emissions in Oil Refineries

A Pathway Towards Net-Zero Emissions in Oil Refineries

Grave-to-cradle upcycling of Ni from electroplating wastewater to photothermal CO2 catalysis

The pursuit of methodological harmonization within the holistic sustainability assessment of CCU projects: A history and critical review

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Developing a triple helix approach for CO₂ utilisation assessment