Energy efficiency and reduction of CO2 emissions through 2015: The Brazilian cement industry

The cement industry is characterised by intensive energy consumption throughout its production stages which, together with the calcination of its raw materials, accounts for significant amounts of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. In 1996, the Brazilian cement industry consumed 4.3% of the energy required by the industrial sector, contributing over 22 Tg (Teragrams) of CO2. The prospects for growth in this sector in Brazil indicate rising demands for fossil fuels, with a consequent upsurge in emissions. This article aims to present the prospects for energy conservation in the Brazilian cement industry through to 2015, taking into account: the introduction of new production technologies in this sector, the use of waste and low-grade fuels, cogeneration, the use of cementitious materials, and other measures, based on a technical and economic energy demand simulation model. In all scenarios, we found that is possible to significantly reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions for Brazilian Cement Industry. Under the market potential scenarios, energy savings vary between 1562.0 to 1900.6 PJ (PetaJoules), with use of cementitious materials accounting for around 31% of this total. For technical potential scenarios, use of cementitious materials could represent 51% to 52% of total achieved energy savings, between 2374.6 to 2803.4 PJ.