CO2 emission reduction and the ethanol industry

By Sam A. Rushing, president Advanced Cryogenics, Ltd. www.CO2consultant.us
Special to The Digest

We have biofuels, manufacturing and fossil fuel based CO2 emissions to start……then add the ever worse (current and future) massive data center emissions making things significantly worse……plus a full rollback in Federal environmental policies; however, there are options for reducing such threats to the environment

Today, we are faced with record heat, droughts, fires, and floods; most of which have a connection to climate change; largely due to the rapid increase in CO2 airborne emissions. Throughout time, the oceans are and have been the natural temperature regulator, that being they absorb some 30% of human caused CO2 emissions; and at the same time represent 90% of all emissions caused by global warming. Without the giant oceanic barrier, CO2 concentration in the atmosphere would be over 500 ppm; and temperatures would now be catastrophic. Furthermore, as oceans heat up, and acidification increases, the huge buffer becomes less effective. Keep in mind, the current CO2 atmospheric concentration is about 427 ppm; and pre-industrial levels were 280 ppm. It is unrealistic to think we should have levels near the 280 ppm mark, however, comparing with 5 years ago, at 417, there is considerable growth; and then back 10 years ago, around 402 ppm. In my ideal world, it should be in the high 300s, but this is not the case. 

To give a snapshot of total global CO2 emissions annually, this is around 42 billion metric tons; then US annual CO2 emissions are nearly 6.2 billion; that being from all sources. Collectively, oceans and land ecosystems recover around 20 billion metric tons of CO2 annually – thus leaving a huge gap near 50% of what is emitted and what is naturally recovered, albeit the oceans are already in trouble with acidification. 

The images below show annual emissions by global region, through 2024; and a carbon cycle chart showing emissions and natural absorption of carbon equivalents/gigatons basis.

As for biofuels, primarily fermentation, around 45 million tons per year are emitted; then life cycle emissions that factor farming, harvesting, transportation, the entire supply chain places these annual CO2 emissions from this sector as closer to 65 million tons equivalent. Of course, this is biogenic, or cyclical; like removing some emissions from the atmosphere, via growing corn crops v. emissions from fossil fuels. A very small portion of what would be emitted from fermentation would represent commercial recovery, or utilization; around 3 million tons annually; and currently, Class VI wells, would account for up to 1 million tons annually – essentially a ‘drop in the bucket’.

The extraordinary total output of emissions from current data centers is around 105 million metric tons annually. Of this, the  traditional power grid accounts for 4.4% of total US electricity generated; and combustion of fossil fuels represents about 55% of the grand total. Carbon intensity represents 48% higher than the grid, related to power generation within the data centers. Total output of CO2 from US data centers represents some 105 million metric tons annually; and planned / under construction plants are likely to be an additional 102 million tons of the CO2, once operational. 

Challenges and Remedies

So, with a federal government unwilling to make the least of attempts to stay the damage from CO2, CH4, and Nox – in particular the most plateful being carbon emissions; and even making the case much worse by slashing all environmental programs, denying climate science, the Endangerment Finding, and scrubbing the people’s federal websites – and further making things worse by promoting coal, and heavy hydrocarbons consumed in masse – the challenge is ever greater.

What is familiar are some remedies for helping the planet, and reducing emissions, such as CCS (carbon capture and storage); EOR (enhanced oil recovery); and the many uses for CO2 – plus employing wind, solar and biofuels – related energy – and it is the responsibility of industry today, and the state level governments to implement all that is possible to help the case. Of all the advanced, and many of the developing countries, such efforts are going the opposite of what the current federal government is promoting. All of us must find solutions to help the carbon and emissions reduction crisis. Note, I say crisis, since in short, it is a crisis, and this is particularly visible with the extreme weather and very evident climate change – caused disasters which we have witnessed globally – in particular during the last year or two. Instead of thinking how much this can be; all of us must work our best to stem the tide. 

-The proposed Summit Energy CO2 pipeline has significantly been reduced in scope and size; in part due to the lack of access through some of the Midwestern and Plains states; facing headwinds, with state governments calling for ‘not on my land’, and a much scaled down part of this may send a portion of the CO2 from the ethanol plants to Wyoming v. the previously planned destination in North Dakota. This effort could be a helping hand in reduction of CO2 emissions. 

-With America’s addiction to oil, under the current government, more EOR projects would be of value, where theoretically what CO2 is pumped underground to run these projects, is generally recycled, and much of this grand total is sequestered, as the cracks and crevices in the formations cleared with CO2 under pressure. What carbonic acid is formed in the process, offers benefits is opening up carbonate formations, and reducing the swelling of the clay along the way. When I think of the planned massive data center which Amazon is proposing in West Texas, given the single cycle compressors planned throughout the massive project will yield huge amounts of CO2 – the logical destination should be EOR in the Permian Basin – where much of the domestic oil is originating from in any event. It appears that no such plans exist in this one case.

-Assuming things don’t change in the near term, as related to the government promoting dirty fuels, the best we can do is develop more Class VI wells for deep CO2 sequestration, more EOR projects – again a means of burying CO2; and develop and foster more green uses for CO2. 

-Such green applications are often obvious, that being plant more trees, protect the wetlands, and the ever – most important – the lungs of the planet – The Amazon Rainforest, was once responsible for absorbing 2 billion metric tons of CO2 annually, some 25% of all land based plants and trees which absorb the gas. However, due to deforestation, fires, cattle ranching, and climate stress; regions of the forest actually  emit more carbon than absorb the gas. In this case, as well as other rainforests, conservation must grow; while climate change is an ever present threat pushing back. 

-At one time, cannabis growing was considered to be prospect for more closed greenhouses consuming merchant CO2; and at present it remains as one of the solutions, among other closed greenhouse operations for expensive crop enhanced growth. By some estimates, some 80 -90% of closed or semi-closed cannabis greenhouses are using CO2 for enhanced photosynthesis. The scale-back from large investments made in high tech, glass greenhouse operations occurred due to market oversaturation; with the so-called ‘green rush’. In any event, some 30% crop yield, and growth timeline efficiencies are enjoyed with CO2 enhancement. In fact, many premium crops have merchant CO2 injected or product from boiler gas, providing heat and CO2, for growth enhancement. Such crops include tomatoes, peppers, and many other expensive crops.

-Regions where CO2 growth enhancement in closed greenhouses occurs include Southwestern Ontario – the largest concentration of commercial greenhouses in North America – Further in Canada, would be British Columbia, the Fraser Valley. Then in the US the Midwest as in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana – typically with closed-loop systems, supplement heavily with liquid CO2. The US Southwest, as Arizona and Texas; some of these operations use boiler gas, and others use liquid CO2. 

-Smaller green uses for CO2 include dry ice blasting for cleaning surfaces v. solvents; however, this one essentially only recycles CO2 back to the atmosphere. The use of CO2 in concrete production would actually trap the product into concrete, and enhance the calcium carbonate matrix in the concrete, thus enhancing strength. Globally, this accounts for only 150,000 metric tons annually; and the US would be under 100,000 metric tons of this grand total. This is very small in scale, however valuable. 

-I have written in the past about CO2 sequestration into advanced fuels, chemicals, and building materials. All of these sinks are increasingly important to carbon management. The obvious chemicals are products, including acetic acid, formic acid, syngas, and methanol, where CO2 is sequestered; then when comparing the three categories mentioned, building materials win. As to advanced fuels, this represents a circular loop, as short term sequestration. Chemicals and plastics, like polyurethane forms and consumer packaging, the CO2 is sequestered for decades; and building materials, this sector represents permanent CO2 storage, as thousands of years – generally, at least at present, with scaled up products, ready mix and pressed concrete, and synthetic aggregates are the destinations. As to key market drivers for these sectors, for advanced e-fuels, EU ReFuel/EU Aviation mandates. Chemicals and plastics, what drives the incentives are brand sustainability goals, and green premiums. On Building materials, real estate ESG mandates, and 45Q tax credits. Economics often are secondary to climate interests with such uses. As to grand total current CO2 storage among the 3 categories, globally, in all cases, beginning with building materials, this represents about 230 million metric tons stored; with a potential if a full transition to such a clean economy, this could be up to 16 billion tons annually. On the chemicals and polymers, this is about 3.5 to 5 million tons annually; and advanced fuels and chemicals are somewhere between 1.5 and 2.5 million tons annually sequestered. Therefore, this is helpful; and has great potential. 

Back to basics

Since our country is going toward a total rebuke to emissions control, at least on a federal level, despite well proven science and obvious observations; then grassroots efforts are essential to drive a cleaner environmental direction for the country – and this applies to world markets as well. If national governments refuse to act decisively toward a cleaner environment, air, water, and the planet in general; then going back to basics is essential. Such back to basics approach could include the following. 

-States and cities hold massive regulatory and purchasing power. They can bypass federal inaction through localized laws. Such can include the following;

a. States can mandate that a specific percentage of their power originating from renewable sources by a certain year, known as Renewable Portfolio Standards / RPS.

b. Regional carbon pricing programs like RGGI in the Northeast, and California’s cap-and-trade system; successfully placing a price on carbon without federal oversight. 

c. Municipalities can update local building codes, requiring new construction to be fully electric and energy efficient. 

d.  Invest heavily in electric vehicles on a public transportation basis, including more rail, to reduce airborne tailpipe emissions. 

-Market actions and corporate action; such as corporate purchase agreements with the giant tech companies who are looking to build the massive data centers; and require renewable energy.

a. Utility scale shifts in the form of utility companies answering to state regulators and shareholders; then activists and investors can pressure utility companies to retire coal plants, since wind and solar are ultimately more cost effective – and of course, there are no carbon emissions. 

b. As divestments campaigns, activists can persuade universities, pension funds, and banks to pull their capital out of fossil fuel companies; raising the cost of capital for dirty energy projects. 

-Legal and strategic resistance; as to our EPA rolling back environmental protections, the legal system becomes the primary tool for accountability. 

a. Subnational lawsuits, via State Attorney General offices, can sue the federal government to block or rollback environmental changes, or challenge the legality of fossil fuel subsidies. 

b. Public Interest Litigation, such as organizations like Earthjustice and the Sierra Club, can sue private polluters for violating existing clean air and water laws, and use the courts to enforce standards, if the federal government refuses to act.

-Direct Consumer and Community Action; individual choices when multiplied across communities, alter market demands and reduce emissions directly.

a. Community Solar Programs, as home installation of rooftop solar, or subscribing to local solar farms, thus bypassing standard utility mixes, and lowering the carbon footprint. 

b. Transitioning to EV and home heating to heat pumps; thus, reducing direct reliance on fossil fuels. 

We can help the carbon emissions expansion by many direct and indirect grass roots efforts, such as what is mentioned above. We have no plan B, when thinking of the planet; and remember, the extraordinary heat, floods, fires, glacier collapse, and fatalities which have been part of the news this year, can change with consumer action, and apply pressure on the boards which are responsible for developing less environmentally friendly projects – from power, energy, oil and gas; and technology-related build-outs. 

About the author

Sam A. Rushing is president of Advanced Cryogenics, Ltd., the most experienced and diverse CO2 and cryogenic gas consulting firm to be found. Please contact Sam for details, surrounding and any project which would yield CO2; or projects which consume the commodity, as well as projects seeking expert witness work, and academic CO2 expertise. 

Sam A. Rushing, www.CO2consultants.com, tel. 305 852 2597, [email protected] 

 

Category: Thought Leadership