CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of Study

There are three major sources of CO2 emissions; oxidation of fossil fuels, land-use changes and
deforestation, and carbonate decomposition, of which cement is the largest source (Andrew, 2018).
With increasing concerns of climate change and global warming, environmental issues are
increasingly becoming top-priority with great emphasis being laid on reducing green-house gases
such as CO2.

Cement production is a thermal energy intensive process, which requires heating solid particles up
to 1450°C and cooling it down. The process generates hot and CO2 rich exhaust streams (G. Habert
2014). It gravely impacts the environment at every stage of its production through the emissions
of particulate matter in the form of dust, greenhouse gases, and the extensive damage of our
environment from quarrying. Due to the large quantities of fuel used during the manufacture of
cement and the release of carbon dioxide from the raw materials, cement production generates
more carbon emissions than any other industrial process.

The most energy intensive stage of the Portland cement production is during clinker production. It
accounts for about 10 % of the energy use and nearly all of the GHGs produced by cement.
production. Kiln systems evaporate inherent water from the raw meal and calcine the carbonate
constituents during clinker preprocessing (Worrell & Galtisky 2004). The sources of CO 2 and
GHG emissions in the manufacturing of Portland cement (Malhotra 2004) are:
 from calcinations of limestone = ± 50 – 55%;
 from fuel combustion = ± 40 – 50%; and,
 from use of electric power = ± 0 – 10%.

1.2 Problem statement

Despite the hazardous impacts of CO2 emissions in the traditional production of cement, forecasts
predict that cement production is expected to increase to some 4 billion tonnes per year in 2050
(Schneider et al., 2011). There is therefore the need to limit the amount of CO2 released from the
production of cement.

1.3 Aim and Objectives

The aim of this project is to carry out a detailed study encompassing the restriction of green- house
emissions in the two Portland Cement industries used as case study. This aim is expected to be
achieved through the following objectives:
1. Comparing CO2 emissions from two notable Portland Cement Industries in Alberta;
Lafarge Exshaw and Leigh Cement.
2. Reducing carbon emissions from kilns by adopting alternative fuels.
3. Exploring alternative methods of producing sustainable cement.

1.4 Justification of Project

The successful completion of this project work will identify measures that can be employed in
reducing emissions and carbon print.