Determination of FreeCarbon Dioxide Emissions in Mineral Fertilizers Production

Abstract

Food, energy and water are the welfare of the whole mankind, but unfortunately they are often used to blackmail those who suffer from their lack. In this light the influence of the European Union Trading System in the field of mineral fertilizer production is analysed. Based on the available data for mineral fertilizer plant free allocation for the emission of greenhouse gases, predominantly carbon dioxide and in smaller part nitric oxide, is calculated. Determining of the internal mass and energy fluxes is very challenging due to the fact that required pieces of information are not publicly available. Thus, the volume of ammonia and natural gas used in the energy balance is assumed to allow the calculation of preliminary free emissions in the production of ammonia and nitric acid subsection and for heat and fuel. Also, benchmarks and carbon leakage exposure factors are set by the European Commission and taken for the fourth trading period. Historic activity level is calculated from available data. The discussion is aimed at assessing the impact of allotted and measured emissions and their financial impact to agricultural activity.

Keywords

• CO2 free preliminary emissions
• mineral fertilizer production