Fuel switching

Fuel switching (12%)

The cement industry stands at a critical crossroads, facing the dual challenge of meeting demand while addressing environmental imperatives. Essential to cement manufacturing, kilns and calciners traditionally rely on fossil fuels, perpetuating greenhouse gas emissions and resource depletion.

In 2022, the International Energy Agency (IEA) highlighted that 30% of the cement industry's emissions stem from fuel combustion, underscoring the urgent need for emission mitigation. Embracing alternative fuels, such as biomass, waste-derived fuels, alternative gaseous fuels, and secondary fuels, presents a compelling solution.

These alternatives typically boast lower emission factors (EF) compared to conventional fuels, depending on their characteristics as byproducts or if they are considered to have no impact in the lifecycle analysis (LCA). Biomass, waste-derived fuels, and alternative gaseous fuels like biogas and hydrogen exhibit renewable characteristics and cleaner combustion, while secondary fuels derived from industrial by-products offer emissions reductions and bolster waste management efforts.

Utilizing the GHG Protocol's equation for stationary combustion emissions, the CO2 emissions can be calculated as:

Here, Fuel denotes the quantity of combusted fuel, measured in mass or volume units, and EF represents the emission factor associated with CO2 emissions per unit of fuel. This formula elucidates the direct influence of emission factors on calculated CO2 emissions. Consequently, higher emission factors translate to elevated CO2 equivalent emissions. However, higher fuel tonnage also leads to higher emissions, emphasizing the importance of using fuels with high calorific value to permit savings and not merely low emission factors.

Therefore, prioritizing alternative fuels with lower emission factors and high calorific value becomes imperative for environmental stewardship. This approach can significantly contribute to reduced carbon emissions and bolster sustainability efforts in cement plants.