Relationship between energy efficiency indicators and emissions

This post was last edited by shuker666 on 2019-8-13 at 17:04. In my understanding, there is no direct connection between the various factors; nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and dust are the standard environmental indicators for exhaust gas emissions, and it is sufficient to meet the current or latest environmental standards. However, to achieve compliant emissions, upgrades to technical equipment are necessary. On the other hand, even if environmental requirements are met but energy efficiency standards are not satisfied, the project still cannot be approved. This is something that must be adhered to; energy efficiency cannot be directly linked to the environment (the idea that no coal consumption means no emissions and no environmental pollution is nice in theory but not practical)； For coal chemical industry, the comprehensive energy efficiency = total energy output / total energy input * 100%; the total energy input = total coal consumption per year + annual water consumption + annual electricity consumption, while the total energy output = products produced per year + by-products produced per year ； Therefore, reducing the annual overall consumption is fundamental. This involves cutting down the total annual coal consumption (in tons of standard coal per unit of product), using advanced technologies to improve the efficiency of coal conversion – thereby reducing the amount of carbon remaining in the ash and slag and increasing the effectiveness of the syngas. It also involves reducing water consumption per year (tons of fresh water used per ton of standard coal), employing closed-loop water systems to minimize water loss. Additionally, electricity consumption should be reduced as well (for example, by using LED lights or solar energy in factories). The energy requirements vary depending on the product: in the urea industry, CO2 is considered a useful gas, while in other industries it is treated as waste that needs to be emitted. Energy-saving measures include site selection, overall layout planning, process design, technical solutions, energy-using processes and equipment, auxiliary and supporting production facilities, energy meters, and technical management. Energy conservation is needed at every stage.

For example, in the case of household refrigerators, those that consume 1 kWh of electricity per day and those that consume 3 kWh per day perform the same amount of work; naturally, those with lower power consumption have higher energy efficiency, and this is achieved through upgrades to technical equipment.

I partially agree with the views expressed above. Advanced emission control methods, given current technological levels, imply higher energy costs. For example, when it comes to sulfur recovery, emissions of 500 milligrams per cubic meter versus 100 milligrams per cubic meter require fewer technical options for the case of 100 milligrams per cubic meter; such approaches involve greater investment and higher energy consumption

You are absolutely right. However, meeting environmental standards is the most fundamental legal requirement; it’s the basis upon which everything else rests. Talking about energy efficiency without taking this foundation into account is meaningless