ALTERNATE FUEL RESOURCE

Fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, and natural gas are the primary energy sources for many industrial systems. However, their finite nature, high prices, and environmental damage make it essential to develop alternative fuels. This chapter reviews some of the main alternative fuels used in cement production, focusing on their types, environmental and socio-economic benefits, challenges, combustion characteristics, and their effect on cement production and quality.
Cement production is an energy-intensive process, consuming thermal energy and electrical energy. Alternative fuels, such as biofuels, natural gas, waste-derived fuels, wind energy, hydroelectric power, solar energy, hydrogen, and nuclear energy, can reduce energy costs, conserve non-renewable resources, and reduce waste disposal requirements. Alternative fuels include agricultural biomass, non-agricultural biomass, chemical and hazardous waste, and petroleum-based fuels. Biofuels are of organic origin, while solid biofuels are from plant tissues and farm waste. The use of low-grade alternative fuels in some kiln systems can reduce NOx emissions due to reburn reactions.