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Energy and Fuel
The high temperature needed for
cement manufacturing makes it an energy-intensive
process. The average energy input required to
make one ton of cement is 4.8 million Btu. The
U.S. cement industry uses energy equivalent to
about 16 million tons of coal every year. According
to the Department of Energy, U.S. cement production
accounts for 0.33 percent of energy consumption—lower
production levels than steel production at 1.8
percent and wood production at 0.5 percent. From
the PCA publication: U.S. and Canadian
Labor-Energy Input Survey 2003, the cement
industry has improved energy efficiency by 36
percent from 1972.
Finding ways to reduce both energy needs and reliance on fossil fuels is a top priority for cement companies. Although coal, petroleum coke, and other fossil fuels have been traditionally burned in cement kilns, many cement companies have turned to energy-rich alternative fuels. Today, many plants meet between 20-70% of their energy requirements with alternative fuels. And many of these alternative fuels are consumer wastes or byproducts from other industries. Recovering their energy value in cement making is a safe and proven form of recycling.
Because of strict product quality demands, the cement produced from kilns using alternative fuels must be equal in quality to cement from kilns using conventional fuels. Our customers demand it. All types of cement must conform to the rigid specifications of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
Burning alternative fuels in cement kilns offers several environmental benefits. This type of energy recovery conserves valuable fossil fuels for future generations while safely destroying wastes that would otherwise be deposited in landfills. From the PCA publication: 2002 U.S. and Canadian Portland Cement Industry :Plant Information Summary, 15 plants used waste oil, and 40 plants in 23 states used scrap tires. Solvents, unrecyclable plastics, and other materials are used as well.
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Use of Tire-Derived Fuel and Energy Analysis Tools
The portland cement manufacturing facility
in Lucerne Valley, California has developed a
comprehensive energy efficiency planning system.
Read more... |
