One of the most significant impacts of cement on the environment is the high water consumption it causes. Nearly 10% of the world’s industrial water goes to making concrete, which strains water supplies globally, particularly in drought-prone areas. Meanwhile, concrete also contributes to the urban heat island effect by trapping sunlight and other heat-trapping gases. Even though concrete is a better alternative to darker asphalt, it still adds to CO2 emissions.
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How Cement Business impacts Ecosystem
Cement manufacturing is a complex process with numerous effects on the environment. It depletes non-renewable resources by increasing production and damages green landscapes by harvesting and exposing them to pollution. The production process releases greenhouse gases and dust during its various phases, including mining, mixing, and grinding.
The cement industry is a large contributor to global warming as it generates high levels of carbon dioxide. It accounts for up to 5% of all man-made CO2 emissions. Of this, about half comes from the chemical process, while the remainder comes from burning fuel. For example, a single tonne of concrete containing 14% cement and 30% fly ash releases 410 kg of CO2 per m3.
There are several alternative cement formulations that can reduce the environmental impact of the process. Many of them are more cost-efficient and contain fewer GHGs than Portland cement. In addition, concrete manufacturers can use more renewable energy, such as wind and solar energy. And many of them use composting technologies to recycle their waste.
Alternatives to reduce environmental effects of cement production
Here are some of the alternatives that can help protect the environment…
Carbonation reduces CO2
Carbonation is a process by which carbon dioxide is incorporated into cement and concrete. Cement is porous, and CO2 can easily diffuse into the material. This process reduces CO2 concentrations in cement and can reduce it by as much as 48 percent. Numerous studies have investigated this process.
Carbonation re-absorbs about a third of the CO2 that is emitted during the manufacture of cement. Carbonation is an important factor in reducing the whole-life carbon footprint of concrete and cement. However, further research is needed to evaluate carbonation’s effect on cement.
Carbonation begins with the addition of calcium carbonate, a component of portlandite. The carbon dioxide reacts with the portlandite to produce calcium carbonate. Ultimately, the carbonate refracts to fill the pores of the concrete, improving its strength and mechanical properties.
Alternative fuels reduce CO2 emissions
Alternative fuels are being used to cut CO2 emissions in the cement industry. Traditionally, the cement industry has relied on fossil fuels like natural gas, coal, and petroleum coke to produce cement. However, because these fuels require high temperatures, this process cannot be entirely replaced by renewable sources. Instead, cement plants are turning to alternative fuels, which are derived from recycled waste materials.
Using alternative fuels can significantly reduce the direct and indirect emissions from cement production. These fuels can include natural gas, biomass, and waste-derived fuels such as municipal solid wastes, tires, and sewage sludge. Depending on the type of fuel used, these fuels can reduce CO2 emissions from cement plants by 18 to 24 percent by 2050.
Alternative sources of cement
Alternative sources of cement fuel can lower the cost of production, reduce CO2 emissions, and improve the environment. Cement producers are embracing new technologies and methods to reduce the impact of their industry on the environment. With the rising cost of fossil fuels and a growing awareness of global warming and climate change, cement producers are turning to alternative fuel sources.
Waste wood, animal meal, and sawdust are all examples of carbon-neutral biomass fuel that can be used to fuel cement plants. In addition, wastes such as sewage sludge can also be used. These organic wastes can be co-processed to provide a more cost-effective alternative fuel. This method avoids the costs of building dedicated facilities and the associated capital and operating costs.
Developing alternative sources of cement can reduce the risk of shortages and reliance on single sources. It also helps companies become more efficient and decrease prices. However, there are also disadvantages to this approach. The main disadvantages include potentially poorer delivery reliability and higher transportation costs. Also, importing cement can be risky, as companies do not have control over the supply chains.
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