Abstract
The oil and gas industry generates a significant amount of harmful greenhouse gases that
cause irreversible environmental impact; this fact is exacerbated by the world’s utter dependence on
fossil fuels as a primary energy source and low-efficiency oil and gas operation plants. Integration of
solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) into natural gas plants can enhance their operational efficiencies and
reduce emissions. However, a systematic analysis of the life cycle impacts of SOFC integration in
natural gas operations is necessary to quantitatively and comparatively understand the potential
benefits. This study presents a systematic cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) based on
the ISO 14040 and 14044 standards using a planar anode-supported SOFC with a lifespan of ten
years and a functional unit of one MW electricity output. The analysis primarily focused on global
warming, acidification, eutrophication, and ozone potentials in addition to human health particulate
matter and human toxicity potentials. The total global warming potential (GWP) of a 1 MW SOFC
for 10 years in Qatar conditions is found to be 2,415,755 kg CO2 eq., and the greenhouse gas (GHG)
impact is found to be higher during the operation phase than the manufacturing phase, rating 71%
and 29%, respectively.
Keywords
Emissions
CO2
GWP
Functional unit
Natural gas
SOFC