Alternative Fuels for Cement Kilns

Cement production is a very energy demanding procedure because of the high temperatures needed in the kilns. Alternative fuels are a great way to substitute traditional fuels. Coal for example is a prevalent practice that can lead to improving the global warming effect and the overall environmental presence of the cement business.

Many countries around the world are implementing the process of applying waste items and other alternatives to substitute fossil fuels in cement production. Alternative fuels for cement kilns can consist of agricultural and non-agricultural biomass, chemical wastes, petroleum based wastes, and other various waste fuels.

Biomass utilized by cement factories is extremely diverse. It is also centered on crops that are grown locally.  Some good examples would be coconut, coffee pods, corn stover, hazelnut shells and rice husk are just a few of the numerous kinds of biomass presently being burned and used up in cement kilns.

Around the world, non-agricultural biomass makes up about 30 percent of alternative fuel substitution in cement kilns. This biomass can consist of animal byproducts like bone meal, fat and meat. Another 30 percent of waste-based fuels are produced from petroleum goods that can include asphalt, plastics, rubber, petcoke, tires, and waste oils. Amongst these waste based fuels, the tires and waste oils are by far the most prevalent. There are also a lot of miscellaneous waste fuels like car shredder deposits, fabric deposits, landfill gas, wax deposits and municipal solids waste that are used to burn inside cement kilns.

The application of alternative fuels to replace or use as a substitute coal decreases the need for fossil fuels, decreases emissions of pollutants, and helps save costs in the long run for cement factories.