【Ten Years of Great Progress in Chemical Technology】161-2021: The world’s first project to convert exhaust gases from the ferroalloy industry into fuel ethanol was put into operation in Ningxia

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Ten years of rapid development in chemical technology – praise for China’s prosperity and strength. This is just a starting point; more participation will make things even more lively. HaiChuan becomes even better with your involvement; we welcome everyone to join in the forum discussions. Be careful with fire as the heat increases in July. --------------------------------------------- On May 6, 2021, Ningxia Shoulang Jiyuan New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.’s plant capable of producing 45,000 tons of fuel ethanol per year was successfully put into operation in Shizuishan City. This project is the world’s first fuel ethanol production line in the ferroalloy sector to be put into operation, using industrial carbon monoxide emissions as raw material. It is capable of processing 300 million cubic meters of exhaust gas from ferroalloy electric arc furnaces per year; it is expected to produce 45,000 tons of fuel ethanol and 5,000 tons of protein powder annually, generating an economic value of 330 million yuan. Additionally, it will help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 180,000 tons per year. It is understood that the project of converting industrial exhaust gases into clean energy fuel ethanol is a systematic approach that integrates energy conservation, emission reduction, and the comprehensive reuse of green clean energy. It can effectively reduce carbon dioxide and particulate emissions, serving as a model for promoting regional environmental improvement and industry development. Compared with traditional methods of utilizing industrial exhaust gases, producing fuel ethanol from carbon monoxide offers an economic value 2.5–3 times higher than that of burning it for power generation, and an energy utilization efficiency 1.5–2 times higher; it thus provides significant economic, environmental, and social benefits, as well as a good example to be followed and high potential for widespread adoption. In 2020, Ningxia’s ferroalloy production amounted to 3.226 million tons, accounting for about 10% of the country’s total output. Approximately 3 billion cubic meters of exhaust gas were generated each year, while the region’s annual apparent consumption of gasoline was around 2 million tons. According to calculations, if 50% of the exhaust gases from ferroalloy and silicon carbide electric arc furnaces are efficiently cleaned and utilized through biological fermentation techniques, it is possible to produce approximately 200,000 tons of fuel ethanol per year, reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 700,000 tons, save 600,000 tons of grain, and conserve 1.7 million mu of arable land. The commissioning of this project will serve as a model for the technological and green transformation of the ferroalloy industry in the entire region, promoting high-quality development in the raw material sector and helping the region’s industry achieve the goals of \"carbon peak\" and \"carbon neutrality\".