Future Refinery GHG Emissions: Evaluation of Potential Mitigation Technologies and Responses to Changing Fuel Demand

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dc.contributor.advisorBergerson, Joule A.
dc.contributor.authorMotazedi, Kavan
dc.contributor.committeememberMahinpey, Nader
dc.contributor.committeememberPereira Almao, Pedro R.
dc.contributor.committeememberJohansen, Craig T.
dc.contributor.committeememberMcCaffrey, William C.
dc.date2019-06
dc.date.accessioned2018-12-03T17:27:49Z
dc.date.available2018-12-03T17:27:49Z
dc.date.issued2018-11-29
dc.description.abstractNorth American refineries are under pressure to deliver GHG emissions reductions and concurrently respond to changes in the demand for the products that they sell. In this thesis, a framework is developed based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and energy systems modelling to evaluate these challenges. A techno-economic and LCA evaluation of a set of mitigation technologies is conducted by further developing the Petroleum Refining Life Cycle Inventory Model (PRELIM). This analysis, compares the performance of different refinery mitigation technologies using a tool that facilitates more fair comparisons by making consistent boundaries and assumptions. Results indicate these technologies could offer 3-44% GHG emissions reduction in a typical U.S. refinery. A second analysis is conducted by incorporating public data and refinery optimization procedures into PRELIM to conduct a PADD level analysis of the GHG emissions from U.S. refineries. This analysis demonstrates how a more complete picture of the U.S. refining sector can be obtained by going beyond individual refineries. A third analysis investigates the GHG emissions implications of the declining Gasoline-to-Diesel ratio (G:D) in U.S. refineries driven by fuel economy standards, driver behavior and biofuel mandates. Results indicate that the impact of G:D changes on refining GHG emissions within existing operational flexibility of U.S. refineries is negligible on a country level (~3%) but variations within individual regions could be as high as 8%. Hydrogen typically produced via steam methane reforming constitutes up to 30% of refining GHG emissions necessitating the evaluation of alternative technologies to counteract this impact and reduce emissions further. A fourth analysis provides a techno-economic analysis and LCA of High Temperature Steam Electrolysis (HTSE) by integrating Aspen HYSYS® modelling into LCA. Results indicate GHG emissions of 3-20 kgCO2/kgH2 and cost of $2.5-5/kgH2 are possible depending on the system parameters (e.g., energy source, fuel cell lifespan). Consequently, a carbon price of $360/tonneCO2 that could decrease to $50/tonneCO2 with future technology advancements might be required to make HTSE competitive with SMR. The framework introduced in this thesis can guide analyses that can help inform decision-making related to investment decisions and GHG emissions policy where refineries are concerned.en_US
dc.identifier.citationMotazedi, K. (2018). Future Refinery GHG Emissions: Evaluation of Potential Mitigation Technologies and Responses to Changing Fuel Demand (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/34669en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/34669
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/109217
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.facultyGraduate Studies
dc.publisher.facultySchulich School of Engineering
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.publisher.placeCalgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subject.classificationEngineeringen_US
dc.titleFuture Refinery GHG Emissions: Evaluation of Potential Mitigation Technologies and Responses to Changing Fuel Demand
dc.typedoctoral thesis
thesis.degree.disciplineChemical and Petroleum Engineering
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgary
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrue
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