Emissions: Gas Versus Coal

To compare gas and coal life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, decision makers need to account for site-specific inputs. The calculator below guides user inputs to evaluate specific gas and coal resources and operations worldwide and determine their GHG emissions parity*.

Gas GHG Emissions

67

kg CO₂e / mmBtu

Lower

Coal GHG Emissions

90

kg CO₂e / mmBtu

Higher

Choose a Model

User Defined Values W.Virginia - Marcellus Gas vs. WV Coal Liaoning, China Coal vs. Permian LNG

Warming Potentials

Methane and SO₂ global warming potential

GWP₂₀ GWP₁₀₀

SO₂ global warming potential aerosol cloud interaction

Without ACI With ACI

Gas Emissions Parameters

: Methane leakage rate

%

Methane content in gas

60% 100%

%

: Sulfur content in gas

Choose an sulfur content value
0% 0.5% 10%

Acid gas treatment efficiency

90% 100%

%

: Gas life-cycle CO₂ emissions

Choose an carbon dioxide emissions value
61 (Low) 67 (Mid) 92 (High)

Coal Emissions Parameters

: Multiple of IPCC emissions factor for coal mine (CMM)

Choose an IPCC emissions value
0 (No CMM ) 0.04 (Low CMM) 1 (IPCC CMM) 2.275 (High CMM)

: Sulfur content in coal

Choose an coalSulfurDioxideSulfurContent value
0.5% 1.5% 3%

Scrubber efficiency

Choose an scrubberEfficiencey value
80% 90% 98%

: Coal life-cycle CO₂

Choose an lifecycle coal emissions value
86 (Low) 90 (Mid) 107 (High)

Source Citation

Calculations are derived from a study published in Environmental Research Letters. This calculator is designed to run specific user scenarios, and a copy is available for users who want to input their own values.

Note: Emission results may not sum up exactly due to rounding.

Download the raw calculations

* The calculator has set inputs. For a calculator version that allows users to enter discrete inputs, contact shughes@rmi.org.

Emissions: Gas Versus Coal

Gas GHG Emissions

67

Coal GHG Emissions

90

Choose a Model

Warming Potentials

Methane and SO₂ global warming potential

SO₂ global warming potential aerosol cloud interaction

Gas Emissions Parameters

Emissions from Methane

Emissions from Sulfur Dioxide

Sulfur content in gas

Emissions from Carbon Dioxide

Gas life-cycle CO₂ emissions

Coal Emissions Parameters

Emissions from Methane

Multiple of IPCC emissions factor for coal mine (CMM)

Emissions from Sulfur Dioxide

Sulfur content in coal

Scrubber efficiency

Emissions from Carbon Dioxide

Coal life-cycle CO₂

Source Citation

Emissions: Gas Versus Coal

Gas GHG Emissions

67

Coal GHG Emissions

90

Choose a Model

Warming Potentials

Methane and SO2 global warming potential

SO2 global warming potential aerosol cloud interaction

Gas Emissions Parameters

Emissions from Methane

Emissions from Sulfur Dioxide

Sulfur content in gas

Emissions from Carbon Dioxide

Gas life-cycle CO2 emissions

Coal Emissions Parameters

Emissions from Methane

Multiple of IPCC emissions factor for coal mine (CMM)

Emissions from Sulfur Dioxide

Sulfur content in coal

Scrubber efficiency

Emissions from Carbon Dioxide

Coal life-cycle CO2

Source Citation

Methane and SO₂ global warming potential

SO₂ global warming potential aerosol cloud interaction

Gas life-cycle CO₂ emissions

Coal life-cycle CO₂