Specific carbonate consumption

Summary

This methodology represents carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions associated with the calcination of carbonate minerals. The data and calculation methodology is sourced from the IPCC, as published in Volume 3, Chapter 2 - Mineral Industry Emissions of their 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. This methodology represents the IPCC tier 3 approach.

The methodology

Emissions model

Limestone (CaCO₃) and dolomite (CaMg(CO₃)₂) are basic raw materials having commercial applications in a number of industries. The heating of carbonate minerals to high temperatures ('calcining') produces metallic oxides as well as CO₂ emissions. This methodology calculates CO₂ emissions from the general consumption (through calcination) of carbonate minerals.

The methodology represents a mass-balance approach which considers the quantities of carbon (C) which enter the calcination process from all carbonate inputs and attributes any C which is unaccounted for on completion of the calcination process to CO₂ emissions. The total quantity of each carbonate input fully calcined (and therefore emitted as CO₂) is determined on the basis of the input quantity (i.e. mass) and the fraction calcination achieved (i.e. a decimal fraction, 0-1). This calcined quantity in then converted into it's corresponding CO₂ quantity on the basis of conversion factors which represent the stoichiometry of the chemical processes, i.e. the known molecular mass ratio of the reactant carbonate material and the product CO₂.

Carbonate inputs of calcite (or it's polymorph, aragonite), magnesite, dolomite, siderite, ankerite, rhodochrosite, and soda ash can be itemised as part of any calculation.

Model data

CO₂ conversion factors (stoichiometric ratios) for all carbonate types are sourced from the IPCC and can be found here.

Activity data required

Greenhouse gas emissions are directly proportionate to the quantity (i.e. mass) of carbonates consumed. In addition, the fraction calcination achieved for each individual carbonate input can be specified (100% calcination is assumed otherwise).

Calculation and results

CO₂ emissions are calculated by multiplying each carbonate input by it's respective calcination fraction and CO₂ conversion factor (stoichiometric ratio).

This emissions calculated by this methodology represent those attributable to all specified quantities of carbonate calcined.

Related methodologies

Several other IPCC methodologies are available which represent carbonate calcination. These include the IPCC tier 1 and tier 2 methodologies which correspond to this methodology, as well as methodologies specific to soda ash consumption, as well as glass and cement production.