Greetings researchers, I was wondering if anyone knew the C02e (C02 equivalent) of producing a kg of C02 gas compared to producing a kg of N gas?
My reason for asking is that (assuming no difference in output) it would be advantageous to use the inert gas with the lower C02e when making biochar to sequester C02e via pyrolysis.
Thanks,
-Steve
Hi Steven,
You can find the "global warming potentials" of different gases in the 4th assessment report of the IPCC. Or check this site:
https://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg1/en/ch2s2-10-2.html
The information you are looking for is in the column "global warming potential for 100 year" (this is the standard). Everything is standardized according to the GWP of CO2 (so CO2-eq). Assuming you want to know the GWP of N2O, the answer is 298!
Hi Kenneth, before you jump to global conclusions, a local firm that creates several 100's of tons of waste organics yr-1 wants to create biochar to lower their carbon footprint. My job is to find the way to maximize that, hence my question. Thanks though.
Koenraad, I'm specifically looking for what is the Carbon Dioxide Equivalents (C02e) to actually create the N and C02 gasses themselves that are to be used in the pyrolysis process. It takes energy, materials, etc. to get those gasses made and C02e measures the carbon footprint of that entire process. Thanks!
Ok, so you are referring to a LCA (life cycle analysis) of those products. I did a quick search on LCA on the production of N2, but I did not find any hits for that...
Production of gases is usually inventoried in LCA databases, like ecoinvent. Running those datasets in a LCA software like SimaPro or Gabi will give you the CO2 eq.
Hi Joana, you are right. However, does anyone know the answer itself?
Thanks,
-Steve
Hi Kenneth, as I alluded to in my response above, this firm doesn't think it will change the world's climate itself by sequestering it's own wastes, rather it doesn't want to add to the problem as part of their CSR goals. Biochar can only sequester carbon from a few months to a thousand years or so; no reputable scientist has ever claimed it can do so permanently.
i am agreed with Joana Almeida , if a firm wants to crub its CFs, at least they will do their part to big global goal. we should appreciate that. i believe that these little drops of water will one day make the mighty ocean.
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