A strategic decarbonization roadmap for a petrochemical refinery in Vietnam: integration of CCUS, green hydrogen, and the circular economy

Abstract

The decarbonization of energy-intensive industries, particularly in petrochemical refineries, is critical to achieving global net-zero targets. The objective of this study was to develop a structured methodological framework for refinery decarbonization planning under confined industrial data availability. This approach integrates Scope 1 greenhouse gas inventory, emission hotspot identification, technology assessment, and scenario-based transition analysis. A Tier 1 methodology based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2006 Guidelines was applied to quantify direct CO 2 emitted from major process units of a representative Petrochemical Refinery Y in Vietnam. The results identified the residue fluid catalytic cracking (RFCC) (25.95%), electricity and steam generation systems (24.20%), and hydrogen production (20.93%) as the major emission sources, contributing to a total Scope 1 emission of roughly four million tons of CO 2 per year. Based on the quantified emission profile and evaluation of applicable measures, a four-phase strategy toward carbon neutrality by 2050 was constructed to guide the staged deployment of energy efficiency improvements; electrification; renewable integration; carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS); and green hydrogen (GH 2 ) systems. Scenario analysis indicates that cumulative emission reductions ranging from 80% (conservative) to 90% (optimistic) may be achievable under defined techno-economic assumptions regarding technology deployment and infrastructure development. This work contributes by potentially providing a scalable framework for refinery decarbonization in emerging economies, bridging the gap between emission assessment and transition strategies, while supporting national climate commitments.