Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas (GHG) whose abundance and persistence make it the primary contributor to climate change. Long-term data show a close correlation between rising GHG emissions and global warming, underscoring the importance of reducing human-caused emissions, particularly through the management of industrial boilers.
Combustion and CO2 Emissions
During the combustion of natural gas, methane (CH4) reacts with oxygen (O2) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O), as illustrated by the following chemical reaction:
CH4+2O2→CO2+2H2O
Cette réaction montre que la combustion du méthane libère systématiquement une molécule de CO2 pour chaque molécule de CH4 consommée. Étant donné que le gaz naturel est composé principalement de méthane, son utilisation comme combustible entraîne directement des émissions significatives de CO2.
Calculating a Boiler’s GHG Emissions
There are two main methods for calculating a boiler’s CO2 emissions: one is based on using a dedicated gas meter, while the other relies on calculations derived from the boiler’s efficiency.
Boilers with a Dedicated Gas Meter
If the boiler is connected to a dedicated gas meter, calculating CO2 emissions is relatively straightforward. Simply multiply the volume of natural gas consumed (in cubic meters) by a standard conversion factor. The factor used is: 1.88932 kg/m³.
Thus, for a given volume of natural gas consumed, the CO2 emissions (in kg) are calculated as follows:
CO2 Emissions (kg) = Volume of Natural Gas (m³) × 1.88932 (kg/m³)
Boilers Without a Dedicated Gas Meter
When the boiler is not connected to a dedicated gas meter, a calculation method based on efficiency must be used. These often complex calculations allow you to determine the volume of natural gas required to produce a certain amount of steam.
First, it is essential to assess the actual amount of steam produced while taking into account the energy generated by the boiler. Next, calculate the boiler’s efficiency using the summation of energy losses method to determine the energy required at the burner inlet. By using the higher heating value of natural gas, you can then calculate the volume (in cubic meters) burned.
This calculation must be multiplied by the number of hours of operation per day and the average demand capacity, which can be estimated from usage charts or data available from water meters.
The CO2 emissions are then calculated by multiplying the estimated volume of gas consumed by the conversion factor of 1.88932 kg/m³.
Available Subsidies
Subsidies exist to support the reduction of GHG emissions, offering up to $125 per ton of CO2 saved over a 10-year period.
Additional Resources
- Boiler GHG emissions calculations—available for download soon. Contact us to receive a copy by email.