title: C factors pinpoint resource utilization in chemical industrial processes.
abstract: This Full Paper illustrates the use of the C factor (CO(2)/product mass ratio) as a parameter to evaluate the CO(2)-burden of a product. The C factor contains information of the total amount of CO(2) emitted in order to produce a product, and thus enables a direct comparison of different processes from a CO(2) aspect. We illustrate how this simple concept can be used to evaluate different resource types and processes. The C factors for different chemicals such as methanol, synfuels, and acetic acid are calculated for oil, coal, natural gas, and biomass. Based on these calculations, the combination of biomass and natural gas is an attractive alternative to coal, leading to products that have significantly lower C factors.
authors.affiliation: Haldor Topsøe A/S, Nymøllevej 55, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
authors.forename: Bodil
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Voss
authors.forename: Simon Ivar
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Esben
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Taarning
authors.forename: Claus Hviid
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Christensen
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D002617:Chemical Industry / Q000379:methods*; D005579:Fossil Fuels; D008722:Methods; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000138:chemical synthesis
chemical_list: D005579:Fossil Fuels; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D002245:Carbon Dioxide