Feasibility Studies with the Aim of Developing a Bilateral Offset

Credit Mechanism FY2011

Studies for Project Development and Organization

Energy-saving project for the

manufacturing process of caustic soda
& chlorine product through brine
electrolysis
New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)
Asahi Glass Co., LTD. & Others
F/S for Bilateral Offset Credit Mechanism Category：Chemical
Category：
Energy-saving project for the manufacturing process of caustic soda
Energy-
& chlorine p
product through
g brine electrolysis
y FS by
y Asahi Glass Co.,, LTD. & Others

Overview

To study the potential of CO2 emission reduction through converting the brine electrolysis process for
caustic soda and chlorine production into the latest energy-efficient process for them.

Technology outline

・Caustic soda and chlorine products are indispensable chemicals for a variety of industries and public
infrastructures.
・ Even now, in many countries, caustic soda and chlorine products are manufactured by inefficient brine
electrolysis methods such as mercury process and the asbestos diaphragm process, in spite of their
inefficient energy performance and hazardous potentials.
・Japanese manufacturers have been developing and producing highly-efficient and eco-friendly ion-
exchange membrane and related equipments , which is 20 20-30%
30% energy efficient compare to conventional
processs

Energy conserving potential

Electrolysis process Mercury Asbestos Ion-exchange

diaphragm membrane
Energy consumption rate 100 90-80 80-70
Comparison (Mercury 100%)
* Comparison on 50% caustic soda as standard product basis.  The electric power consumption is sum total of steam energy  for 
condensation and electrical power for each electrolysis.  The steam energy is converted to electrical power at 1ton steam =200ACKWh. １
F/S for Bilateral Offset Credit Mechanism Category：Chemical
Category：

Study items

① Design the best energy conserving system correspond to the current system and partner’s requirement.
② Establish MRV methodology for conversion .
③ Policy, Regulations and/or permissions related to plant conversion and construction.
④ Study of economic and financial scheme
scheme.

Boundary and Plant design

Table 1 Proposed Electrolyzer example plan

Item Specification
a）Type n-BiTAC833
(expandable to n-BiTAC844)
n BiTAC844)
b）The number of electrolyzer 6
c）The number of circuit 6
d）Membrane Flemion F-8020SP
e）anode DSA
f）cathode Active cathode
g）active electrolysis area 3.276m2 x 33
h）Dimensions
- length (m) 3.6
- width (m) 24
2.4
- height (m) 1.6

Fig.1 Project boundary

2
F/S for Bilateral Offset Credit Mechanism Category：Chemical
Category：

MRV Discussion

To study and develop appropriate the MRV (Monitoring, Reporting and Verification) that are including
methodology for emission reduction calculation, baseline setting.

Existing Methodology Study Methodology Investigation

CDM Methodology
（energy efficiency improvement） Estimation of
baseline emission
AM0017, AM0018, AM0020, AM0038,
AM0054, AM0056, AM0060, AM0061,
AM0062, AM0068
AMS II-B, AMS II-C, AMS II-D MRV
Estimation of
for Bilateral
project emission
Other methodologies Mechanism

J-MRV, J-VER,
Japan domestic credit,
Other scheme for eligibility (RGGI, Establish the
AB32, MSW GGAS) monitoring plan

Fig.2 MRV Development

Eligibility and additionality
1. Improvement of energy efficiency by switching the electrolysis process to the ion-
exchange membrane process.
2. Non- existence of regulation which regulates chlor-alakli production by mercury or
asbestos diaphragm process in the host country.
3. Ion-exchange membrane is uncommon method in host country. 3
F/S for Bilateral Offset Credit Mechanism Category：Chemical
Category：

Estimated emission reduction in the FS

Mercury Ion-exchange Emission reduction

Two site membrane ▲5.6x 104 t/y

Ripple effect on other site or region

Table 2. Estimated emission reduction of the conversion from mercury or diaphragm process into Ion‐exchange membrane  
(1000 Mt) Mexico World

Emission reduction (thousand t CO2e) ▲167 ▲11,300

•Precondition;
Energy Consumption per ton of 100％ NaOH production
Mercury,= 3.32MWh/ t-NaOH, Diaphragm process=3.02MWh/t-NaOH,
IM process=2.29MWh/ t-NaOH
CO2 emission factor for electricity
(average 2007-2009 , source: CO2 emission from fuel combustion 2011 edition, IEA
Mexico= 0.455tCO2t/MWh, World =0.504 CO2t/MWh

Remaining
g issues to establish BOCM

‹Bilateral agreement and rule making in both countries

‹ Promotional incentives for energy conservation.
z Capacity
C it b
building
ildi ffor iimproving
i consciousness
i about
b t energy conservation
ti
z Financial incentive