Decarbonization potential and economic viability of NH3/H2 fueled naphtha steam cracking

초록

The global chemical sector's substantial greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions necessitate viable pathways to decarbonize naphtha cracking centers. This study evaluates NH3/H2 fuel switching by integrating a life cycle assessment with techno-economic analysis. Two baselines and three decarbonized cases were investigated considering NOx and N2O emissions. At an N2O emission level of 100 ppm, over 1.14 kg CO2 eq/kg C2H4 of life cycle GHG emissions is reduced using green NH3/H2 from renewable electricity, with net-negative emissions achieved at N2O levels under 36-56 ppm. The green fuels also reduce various life cycle impacts such as acidification. However, the cost of green NH3/H2 remains the primary barrier, with the levelized cost of ethylene nearly $1.1-1.3/kgC2H4higherthanthebaseline.Accordingly,thecarbonavoidancecostis$414-535 at N2O 100 ppm, decreasing to $292-354/tonCO2underN2Osuppression,assuminggreenfuelpricesof$1000/ton H2 and $270/ton NH3.

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