A novel method for calculating greenhouse gas emissions from the combustion of energy fuels

An analysis of the methods used in Bulgaria for estimating CO2, SO2 and dust emissions has been conducted. The first methodology, which is officially used by all energy auditors at the Agency for Sustainable Energy Development targets the energy efficiency of combustion devices in-stalled mainly at industrial enterprises. The second methodology, used by the Ministry of Environment and Water, is more comprehensive and can be applied to thermal power plants, small combustion plants as well as indus-trial systems. In recent years, many projects related to energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, including hydrogen technologies, which require an assessment of reduced greenhouse gas emissions, have been implemented as a priority. The use of reliable and accurate methods is essential in the assessment of greenhouse emissions. A novel methodology, based on stoi-chiometric equations of the combustion process for solid, liquid and gaseous fuels has been proposed and comprised. This novel methodology is char-acterized by higher precision compared to the methods currently in place and this is achieved through calculating emissions from the combustion of energy fuels accounting for the full elemental composition of the fuel and its heating value, whereas the current commonly applied methods use only the fuel type and the carbon content. A further benefit of the proposed methodology is the ability to estimate emissions of fuels for which there is no alternative method for calculating CO2, SO2 and dust. Results of emis-sion calculations according to the analysed methods are presented. Finally, a comparative analysis between the presented methodologies including an assessment of their accuracy and universal applicability has been made.