Carbon emissions are affecting the environment in many countries, making it a vital issue that is to be resolved globally. Industries including Iron & steel, cement, chemical, food & beverages, paper, and cross-sector contribute about 1/3 of carbon emissions. US Department of Energy (DOE) will provide funds for the research & application of new technologies to increase the decarbonization through Energy Efficient and Renewable Energy (EERE) in August 2022; it will assess the performance of each award in 2-3 years.
Department of Energy has defined four measures, i.e., energy efficiency, provisions of electricity to the industrial sector, use of low carbon fuels & energy, carbon capture, and usage. DOE has selected six industries for funding opportunity announcement (FOA) are as;
Steel Industry:
The iron and steel industry is carbon-intensive and contributes more to carbon emissions. Steel manufacturing is usually through BF (Blast Furnace)-BOF (Basic Oxygen Furnace). BF is used to manufacture pig iron and BOF for Steel. The goal will achieve by increasing productivity with EAF (Electric Arc Furnace), renewable power, and DRI (Direct Reduced Iron). EAF is less carbon-intensive.
Chemical Industry:
The chemical industry is based on the productivity of high-volume chemicals. In America, nuclear power plants have two types of reactors: a pressurized-water reactor and a boiling water reactor. These reactors are fissuring uranium and atoms, releasing heat & neutrons. Advanced reactor technologies generate electricity for the grid and produce hydrogen/heat for industrial decarbonization.
Food & Beverages:
Processed foods contribute to carbon emissions in the food industry due to processing, packing, transportation, and food wastage management. In Farming, using chemical fertilizers and pesticides increases greenhouse gas emissions and needs to be replaced with animal manure. The use of fresh and seasonal food will help control CO2 emissions. This sector requires attention to the innovative technology used in zero carbon emissions in the heating process of food & beverage making.
Cement & Concrete Industry:
This industry needs to focus on the formulation of next-generation cement, process, usage of fewer carbon inputs, carbon collecting units, and changing raw material chemistry. Carbon dioxide is released in cement production when an intermediate product clinker is produced. If clinker is replaced with coal ash & blast furnace slag, greenhouse gas emissions can be decreased. Belite cement is environment friendly; Beltran clay, bauxite & gypsum usage needs to be increased instead of limestone. Carbon collecting technologies will reduce environmental hazards.
Paper & Forest Industry:
Using new methods of wood & paper drying, pulping, and paper manufacturing will help achieve the target of zero carbon emissions. In the pulp & paper industry, drying is less intensive to CO2 compared to steam supply. Fossil fuels need to replace with a direct heat supply; the use of recycled fiber pulp and biofuel is required.
Cross-Sector:
Reforms in cross-sector technologies have included the industrial sector’s thermal energy, storage, and heating pump.
The provision of funds and innovations in these sectors will decrease carbon emissions, and carbon capturing & storage will change the game to avail carbon dioxide as a trading product
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