The discussion “Calculation of tons CO2 saved with plasmatorches” started with a simple question from janneman. Then Sorrenson jumped in …

We all have our opinion and I guess we will have to wait and see what happens …

Here are some comments regarding the arguments from Sorrenson :

“You are assuming that the electricity to power the torches is green. Hydrocarbons are still used to generate  aprox 60 % of the worlds electricity.”

Each entity involved in CO2 reduction is responsible for what is under its perimeter. If you install green torches, you are OK with the regulators, your shareholders and the public. If a utility generates CO2 when producing its electricity that you use, the pressure is now on them. 

“Until a country is 100% clean energy in the grid the massive load of the torches is as dirty as the dirtiest coal or gas powering the grids.”

This is the bystander effect. I will become clean when everybody else will be clean. Not too good for the planet. Pieces of the puzzle will not be placed all at the sametime. Do what you can now. 

“Maybe VALE  will breach the 5 year contract and switch to plasma this week.”

Vale SA will use natural gas for all of its pellet plants by 2024, after reaching an agreement with Eneva SA and Companhia Maranhense de Gás 

Well, the second sentence is News, not a contract. VALE must know how to do business and how to sign contracts. I would be surprised that they locked themselves with gas for 5 years. It would make sense that pellet plants converted to torches are not in the scope of conversion to gas.