Title: Cumulative exergy consumption (CExC) analysis of energy carriers in China

Authors: Boxue Sun; Zuoren Nie; Feng Gao

Addresses: Center of National Materials Life Cycle Assessment, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China ' Center of National Materials Life Cycle Assessment, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China ' Center of National Materials Life Cycle Assessment, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China

Abstract: Cumulative exergy consumption (CExC), which represents the total exergy of natural resources required to provide a product, is an appropriate indicator for quantifying the depletion of natural resource. The objective of this study is to determine the CExC values of the principal energy carriers in China, which is the largest energy producer in the world, through the matrix method (balance equation). The results show that electricity has the largest CExC value among different energy carriers, followed by oil-refining products, coal products and fossil fuels. The results also show that matrix method can get more accurate results than process method (sequence method) for energy carriers owing to the flow loops in energy industry.

Keywords: CExC; cumulative exergy consumption; resource depletion; energy carriers; China; exergy analysis; flow loops; energy industry.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2014.065646

International Journal of Exergy, 2014 Vol.15 No.2, pp.196 - 213

Received: 11 Apr 2013
Accepted: 29 Aug 2013
Published online: 30 Apr 2015 *

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