Background of Eco Global Project
- Declaration of Carbon Neutrality and Carbon Recycling
Countries around the world have established a “Long-Term Low Carbon Development Strategy (LEDS)” to practice carbon neutrality and are submitting it to the United Nations (UN). This strategy should include detailed action plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Following China and Japan, Korea also announced a 24.4% reduction in emissions compared to 2017 as the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Target (NDC) by 2030 to achieve the carbon-neutral goal in 2050.
From the above announcement, Eco Global paid attention to carbon capture utilization (CCU) for carbon recycling. Investment in new and renewable energy is also important to reduce national greenhouse gas emissions, but it is important to renewable the energy lost in industrial and living sites through the use of carbon generated in the existing energy industry as a resource.
2. Growing Demand for Global Energy (petroleum & coal)
According to the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Evaluation, the use of petroleum energy will not decrease globally even if renewable energy is developed as shown on the data on the right. On the contrary, IEA released in 2018 that global renewable energy use will rise by 226%. Although the use of petroleum energy is likely to decrease, the actual petroleum energy also rises by about 10%. Since petroleum energy has no choice but to be used as a major energy source for the next 40 to 50 years, technologies that can use petroleum energy cleaner and wisely along with strategies and policies to reduce dependence on petroleum energy must be continuously developed and introduced.
3. Severe Petroleum Energy Environmental Problems (VOCs)
Gasoline has a low boiling point at 23 degrees Celsius, so volatile organic compounds (VOCs-1 grade carcinogens) are inevitably released during storage and transportation. VOCs contain carcinogens such as benzene and toluene, and when they enter our bodies together with the air we breathe, they cause serious diseases. Solvents, exhaust streams, and aerosols used in poorly ventilated areas can produce hazardous toxins as well. High exposure to these toxic materials can cause headaches, dizziness, memory loss, and visual impairment. Compounds found in paint strippers, such as methylene chloride, are carcinogenic and can cause long-term and fatal symptoms. To reduce the risks of gasoline threatening our lives and ecological environment, it must be used wisely by solving it with science and technology.
What are VOCs?
VOCs, are gases that are emitted into the air from products or processes. Some are harmful by themselves, including some that cause cancer. In addition, they can react with other gases and form other air pollutants after they are in the air.
4. Problems with the Use of Petroleum Energy
Gasoline is simpler to handle and manage than coal and has nearly twice as many calories compared to coal. It burns well and leaves no ash, making it a key raw material for internal combustion engines in vehicles. In addition, petroleum, which is used as a variety of raw materials in the petrochemical industry, can be mass-produced economically because it is collected in the underground reservoir. Therefore, it is expected to be used as the main energy source in the future unless a breakthrough alternative fuel is available.
However, gasoline has brought convenience and air pollution at the same time. According to the announcement by the National Fine Dust Information Center (2017 Air Pollutant Emission Statistics), VOCs have discharged unrivaled in the energy transport and storage sectors.
5. Functions and Problems of Existing Oil Vapor Recovery Facilities (Stage 1 and Stage 2)
1). According to the Korea Ministry of Environment, oil vapor recovery facilities were installed at 3,868 gas stations (as of 2019) and 9,315 tons of VOCs were recovered resulting in an annual economic profit of 13.7 Billion KRW. (Work Handbook on Oil Vapor Recovery Facility Installation, Ministry of Environment, April 2020)
2). Air Quality Improvement Effect
The reduction efficiencies of total hydrocarbons (THC) and benzene around the lubricator in gas stations are shown to be 82.1% and 93.3%, respectively. However, the measurement was made from gas stations that were operating the system rather normally. Many gas stations were managing the system in a poor manner. Therefore, atmospheric environmental data must be continuously monitored, and the measured value must be posted on the blockchain to prevent forgery or alteration.
From the above announcement, Eco Global paid attention to carbon capture utilization (CCU) for carbon recycling. Investment in new and renewable energy is also important to reduce national greenhouse gas emissions, but it is important to renewable the energy lost in industrial and living sites through the use of carbon generated in the existing energy industry as a resource.
