{"query_echo":{"q":"","filters":{"climate_tags":["so2 emissions"]},"warnings":[{"code":"facet_value_not_in_vocabulary","message":"Value 'so2 emissions' for facet 'climate_tags' is not in the controlled vocabulary."}]},"total":{"value":2,"relation":"eq"},"page":1,"page_size":20,"self":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/api/v1/search?climate_tags=so2+emissions","stability":"beta","ai_marking":{"digital_source_type":{"uri":"http://cv.iptc.org/newscodes/digitalsourcetype/trainedAlgorithmicMedia","name":"Created using Generative AI"},"notice":"Summary and key insights are generated using artificial intelligence."},"results":[{"id":"sei-000540","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/sei-000540","title":"Re-assessment of CO2 and SO2 emissions in energy sector by using LEAP model: experiences from Estonian energy sector planning","publisher":{"name":"Stockholm Environment Institute","organization":"stockholm-environment-institute"},"document_type":"research paper","language":"en","date_published":"2015-01-12","source_url":"https://www.sei.org/publications/re-assessment-of-co%e2%82%82-and-so%e2%82%82-emissions-in-energy-sector-by-using-leap-model-experiences-from-estonian-energy-sector-planning/","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"This research paper describes a 2012 re-assessment of LEAP (Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning) model results concerning CO2 and SO2 emissions within the Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Estonian National Energy Sector Development Plan until 2020.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"sei-000540#summary","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},"key_insights":[{"text":"In 2012, a re-assessment was conducted on the LEAP model results for CO2 and SO2 emissions as part of the Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Estonian National Energy Sector Development Plan until 2020 (Energy Plan 2020) to determine the extent to which results were achieved and the reasons for any deviations.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"sei-000540#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The re-assessment process demonstrates the potential for policy learning and emphasizes the necessity of incorporating uncertainties that fall outside the scope of models into Impact Assessments.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"sei-000540#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-08-17"}],"climate_tags":["co2 emissions","so2 emissions","energy policy","climate change mitigation","leap model"],"geography_discussed":[],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["re-assessment","modelling"]},{"id":"cer-000943","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/cer-000943","title":"fa50-letter-from-natref-to-dea-1-09-2011-35f20012a3dd2a8b.pdf","publisher":{"name":"Centre for Environmental Rights","organization":"centre-for-environmental-rights"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":null,"source_url":"https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/FA50-Letter-from-NATREF-to-DEA-1-09-2011.pdf?x21779","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"A letter from National Petroleum Refiners of South Africa (Natref) to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) dated September 1, 2011, detailing the refinery's air quality compliance status and proposing amendments to the Minimum Emission Standards (MES). Natref argues that the proposed 2015 SO2 limits are unachievable and requests that the DEA recognize the emissions reductions achieved through its Residual Crude Desulphurization (RCD) unit.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000943#summary","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Natref asserts that the proposed 2015 Minimum Emissions Standard limit of 0.8 kg SO2/ton crude throughput is \"completely unachievable for Natref’s operations,\" as it would require a reduction of more than 50% compared to its current emissions.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000943#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"In the 2010/11 financial year, which Natref describes as the best year in its history for crude oil processing and Sulphur Recovery Unit efficiency, the average SO2 emissions intensity was 1.67 kg SO2/ton of crude throughput.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000943#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Natref proposes specific 2020 limits for pollutants: a Particulate Matter (PM) limit of 75 mg/Nm3 and a NOx limit of 300 mg/Nm3. It also suggests that Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) be removed from the list of monitored pollutants.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000943#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Natref proposes that the SO2 limit for refineries be set at 28 ton/day (1.9 kg SO2/ton crude throughput) for 2015, and 20 ton/day (1.4 kg SO2/ton crude throughput) for 2020.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000943#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Natref requests that the DEA recognize the benefits of its Residual Crude Desulphurization (RCD) unit, which hydro-treats the Fluidized Catalytic Cracking (FCC) unit's feed. Natref claims this technology reduces SO2 emissions by approximately 730 t/a (about 9%) compared to non-hydro-treated feed.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000943#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Regarding Sulphur Recovery Units (SRU), Natref agrees with a minimum conversion efficiency of 95% but proposes an SRU availability of 96% (excluding turnaround and inspection shutdowns).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000943#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Natref identifies several compliance challenges, including its inland location (which increases wastewater treatment costs), the lack of a bunker fuel outlet for fuel oil management, and resource competition with the implementation of the Clean Fuels 2 Specification by 2017.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000943#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-08-17"}],"climate_tags":["air quality","emissions standards","petroleum refining","so2 emissions","industrial compliance"],"geography_discussed":["Durban"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["compliance report","policy proposal"]}]}