Integrating Life Cycle Assessment and Response Surface Methodology for Optimizing Carbon Reduction in Coal-to-Synthetic Natural Gas Process

Zheng, C ORCID: 0009-0008-9266-9233, Hao, J ORCID: 0000-0003-3064-9794, Yu, S ORCID: 0000-0001-9293-8466, Di Sarno, L ORCID: 0000-0001-6244-3251, Shi, Y ORCID: 0000-0003-4011-8735 and Han, J (2025) Integrating Life Cycle Assessment and Response Surface Methodology for Optimizing Carbon Reduction in Coal-to-Synthetic Natural Gas Process Thermo, 5 (4). p. 47. ISSN 2673-7264, 2673-7264

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Abstract

Coal-to-Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG) plays a crucial role in China’s decarbonization strategy but faces significant sustainability challenges due to its carbon-intensive nature. This study integrates Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) with Box–Behnken Design and Response Surface Methodology (BBD-RSM) to quantify and optimize key parameters for emission reduction. The LCA results indicate that 90.48% of total emissions originate from the SNG production stage, while coal mining accounts for 9.38%, leading to a carbon intensity of 660.92 g CO<inf>2</inf>^eq/kWh, second only to conventional coal power. Through BBD-RSM optimization, the optimal parameter combination was identified as a raw coal selection rate of 62.5%, an effective calorific value of 16.75 MJ/kg, and a conversion efficiency of 83%, corresponding to an energy-based rate of return (ERR) of 49.79%. The optimized scenario demonstrates a substantial reduction in total life-cycle emissions compared with the baseline, thereby improving the environmental viability of coal-to-SNG technology. Furthermore, this study employs the energy-based rate of return (ERR) as a normalization and comparative evaluation metric to quantitatively assess emission reduction potential. The ERR, combined with BBD-RSM, enables a more systematic exploration of emission-driving factors and enhances the application of statistical optimization methods in the coal-to-SNG sector. The findings provide practical strategies for promoting the low-carbon transformation of the coal-to-SNG industry and contribute to the broader advancement of sustainable energy development.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	life cycle assessment, coal-to-Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG), carbon emission, Box-Behnken Design (BBD), Response Surface Methodology (RSM)
Divisions:	Faculty of Science & Engineering Faculty of Science & Engineering > School of Engineering Faculty of Science & Engineering > School of Environmental Sciences Faculty of Science & Engineering > School of Environmental Sciences > Geography and Planning Faculty of Science & Engineering > School of Engineering > Civil and Environmental Engineering
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	08 Dec 2025 09:12
Last Modified:	28 Feb 2026 05:12
DOI:	10.3390/thermo5040047
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.3390/thermo5040047
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3195917
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