GWP impact of utilizing SRF in cement plants : Finnsementti case study

Abstract

Cement production is of grave concern on account of its high energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission. Global cement production causes 5-10% of total anthropogenic CO2 emissions. Considering the adverse effect of greenhouse gas on global climate change, it is important to reduce greenhouse gas emission from cement production process. The aim of the study was to identify the reduction of global warming potential through alteration of fossil fuel by solid recovered fuel (SRF) in cement production process. A cradle to gate life cycle assessment according to ISO 14040:2006 standard was conducted to quantify CO2 eq emission per tonne of ordinary portland cement production (OPC). Four scenarios were established based on 2006 and 2016 production data provided by Finsementti Oy, where different share of SRF in the fuel mixture was used. In scenario 1 and 2, 98% of total fuel energy was sourced by fossil fuel, when in scenario 3, fossil fuel (energy) share was 47% and in scenario 4, only 20% of total fuel energy was supplied through fossil fuel. The result of the study showed that scenario 2 was responsible for maximum GWP (890 kg CO2 eq/ tonne cement), followed by scenario 1, which released 797 kg CO2 eq/ tonne cement. A significant GWP reduction was noticeable in scenario 3 when the emission dropped to 663 kg CO2 eq/ tonne cement. In scenario 4, GWP reduction was even further to 609 kg CO2 eq/ tonne cement.