Evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions and reduction from the petrochemical industry in Thailand

Abstract

This study aims to determine the baseline and indicators for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation measures used to reduce GHG emissions in Thai petrochemical plants. The results demonstrate that petrochemical production between 2005 and 2010 had an annual energy requirement in the range of 120,000–170,000 TJ. The proportions of energy consumption for the petrochemical industry's upstream, intermediate and downstream groups were 75%, 14% and 11%, respectively. The amount of GHG emissions from the petrochemical industry during 2005–2010 was approximately 8000 to 12,000 kt CO2 eq./year. This value represents approximately 3% of the total GHG emissions of Thailand. The upstream petrochemical industry accounted for the highest GHG emissions of 62%, whereas the intermediate and downstream groups were responsible for 21% and 17%, respectively. The carbon intensities of the upstream petrochemical products for the olefin and aromatic groups ranged from 1.104 to 1.485 t CO2 eq./t and 0.420 to 1.125 t CO2 eq./t, respectively. For the intermediate and downstream petrochemical products, the carbon intensities ranged from 0.396 to 1.209 t CO2 eq./t and from 0.096 to 0.477, respectively. The likely reason for the decrease in carbon intensity from 2005 to 2010 is that the industry sector implemented measures to improve energy conservation and updated production processes. The most significant potential for GHG emissions reduction was found in fuel conservation measures, steam conservation measures and electricity conservation measures.