Alternative Fuels

A part-solution to reducing our dependence on fossil fuels for energy lies in the ACMP’s ongoing efforts to use alternative fuels to traditional kiln fuels. (In promoting this course, it should be borne in mind that members are following a widely held practice carried out throughout the global cement industry. Alternative fuels – including materials classified as hazardous waste – are used as fuel in countries such as Canada, USA, Australia, UK, Germany, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Spain, Italy and Norway. In Africa, Morocco and Tanzania are well advanced in their use of alternative fuels.)

Environmental Impact Assesment (EIA) for AFR

The decision phase of the Environmental Conservation Act (ECA), EIA process will be postponed until after the finalisation of the Policy on
High Temperature Thermal Waste Treatment. International consultants have been employed to guide this policy, the development of which is expected to be completed by February 2008.

In light of this, the South African cement manufacturing industry, under the umbrella of the ACMP, has supported the South African tyre industry within their non-profit organisation, the South African Tyre Recycling Process Company (SATRP). The purpose is to promote co-processing (burning) waste tyres as an alternative fuel source in South African cement kilns.
 

      

The benefits from this are manifest. As stated, the SA cement industry uses large volumes of non-renewable natural resources. On average about 1-million tons of raw materials are mined to produce approximately 620 000 tons of clinker whilst simultaneously consuming about 80 000 tons of coal. In this context, the use of scrap tyres as an alternative fuel source can significantly reduce the industry’s dependence on coal.

 

Globally the co-processing of scrap tyres is classified as an environmentally sound method of energy recovery.

Notwithstanding its heat generation qualities, co-processing tyres will also result in a reduction in CO2 emissions. For example, burning coal produces 96 kg CO2 per GJ (Giga joule) of energy consumed. Tyres produce 85 kg CO2 per GJ (Giga joule) of energy consumed, when burned.*

Therefore, a net reduction of CO2 would be generated with the same amount of energy required for the manufacture of cement.
Finally, the entire product is co-processed in the manufacture of clinker.

Even the steel radial within tyres provides a necessary source of iron for the production of clinker and there is no fuel residue (or ash) that needs to be
disposed of.

 

 

 

 
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