The Secretariat of the Nitric Acid Climate Action Group (NACAG) concludes Technical Feasibility Study
In August, a team of experts from the NACAG Secretariat, accompanied by a representative of the First Secretary on Environment from the German Embassy in Hanoi, visited the nitric acid production line of MICCO in Thai Binh, a nitric acid-ammonium nitrate producer under the Vietnam National Coal Mineral Industries Group (VINACOMIN).
The main goal of the visit was to evaluate the technical feasibility of implementing an abatement system to substantially reduce nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions emitted during the chemical process. With the implementation of appropriate abatement technology, MICCO’s nitric acid plant could save around 300,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent yearly, contributing so to Vietnam’s NDC target for reducing GHG emissions.
The study revealed that no technical constraints were identified that would prevent the implementation of mitigation technology at MICCO’s nitric acid plant. Different technological options identified as technically possible were analysed in further detail. Cost estimations for CAPEX and OPEX for each of the identified options were provided, as well as recommendations on the monitoring technology necessary to be implemented to consequently measure the achieved emission reductions.
NACAG provides technical and financial support for the sustainable implementation and operation of mitigation technology. Next steps towards implementation of abatement technology are being now mutually agreed based on the feasibility study results provided to MICCO.
The NACAG initiative was launched by the BMU at the COP21 in Paris and aims at substantially reducing N2O emissions from the production of nitric acid at a global level. N2O is a potent greenhouse gas with 265 times more harmful effects on climate than CO2. The initiative is currently working with more than 25 countries around the globe. For more information about the initiative, visit www.nitricacidaction.org.