Assessing the carbon footprint of industrial equipment – a case study in cane sugar processing

This paper investigates the carbon footprint of industrial equipment in cane sugar syrup decolorization, comparing two technologies: Ion exchange (IEX) and granulated activated carbon (GAC). Using a life cycle assessment (LCA) framework, the study evaluates emissions across Scopes 1 (direct emissions), 2 (indirect emissions from energy use), and 3 (other indirect emissions), revealing significant differences in environmental impact. Findings indicate that IEX has a carbon footprint approximately three times lower than GAC, mainly due to the energy-intensive reactivation process and high indirect emissions associated with GAC manufacturing.

Data from the case study demonstrates that GAC reactivation alone consumes 54 MWh of natural gas per day for reactivation and an additional 59.5 MWh for post-combustion. This leads to a total emission of 27,360 kg CO₂eq/day just for energy consumption in the GAC process. In contrast, IEX requires no reactivation process, and its daily electricity consumption is significantly lower at 3,059 kWh, resulting in an estimated emission of 1,346 kg CO₂eq/day for energy.

Furthermore, the study shows that GAC make-up, due to attrition during reactivation, generates emissions of 8,640 kg CO₂eq/day. IEX, on the other hand, consumes far less resin, with emissions related to resin replacement estimated at just 1,220 kg CO₂eq/day. Overall, IEX’s total carbon footprint is significantly lower, making it a more sustainable choice for sugar refining operations.