Assessment of efficiency improvement and emission mitigation potentials in China's petroleum refining industry.

The petroleum refining industry is an important energy conversion sector, providing both products and raw materials to a wide range of end-use sectors, including the transportation and chemical industries. This study uses a typical refinery process flow to develop a complex refining system by characterizing technical features and interrelationships of the refining units. Using this system we were able to develop the MESSAGEix-petroleum refining model to analyze energy consumption and emissions at the refining process level. The results indicate that China's petroleum refining industry could reduce total energy use, circulation water consumption, and softened water consumption by 12%, 7%, and 80%, respectively. Additionally, the petroleum refining industry could reduce CO 2 , NOx, SO 2 , and PM 2.5 emissions by 10%, 4%, 2%, and 1%, respectively, by 2050. However, emission sources have a significant influence on the emission reduction effect, and the reduction potential obtained through energy efficiency strategies is limited, especially for air pollutants. Therefore, policymakers should consider combining energy-efficiency measures and specific air pollution control options to better reach multiple targets. Finally, further directions for enhancing the representation of relevant subsectors in MESSAGEix are given. Maximum energy saving and emission reduction potential brought by energy efficiency improvement. Image 1 • A new approach for petroleum refining industry in MESSAGEix framework is developed. • Energy saving and emission reduction potential at the sector and process levels are quantified. • Energy efficiency would lead to large reductions of water, coke, electricity, fuel oil, and steam. • Most of the SO 2 and PM 2.5 emissions come from catalytic cracking process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]