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Title: Potentials for energy efficiency improvement in the U.S. cement industry

Journal Article · · Energy, the International Journal
OSTI ID:809919

This paper reports on an in-depth analysis of the US cement industry, identifying cost-effective energy efficiency measures and potentials. Between 1970 and 1997, primary physical energy intensity for cement production (SIC 324) dropped 30 percent, from 7.9 GJ/t to 5.6 GJ/t, while specific carbon dioxide emissions due to fuel consumption and clinker calcination dropped 17 percent, from 0.29 tC/tonne to 0.24 tC/tonne. We examined 30 energy-efficient technologies and measures and estimated energy savings, carbon dioxide savings, investment costs, and operation and maintenance costs for each of the measures. We constructed an energy conservation supply curve for the US cement industry which found a total cost-effective energy saving of 11 percent of 1994 energy use for cement making and a saving of 5 percent of total 1994 carbon dioxide emissions. Assuming the increased production of blended cement, the technical potential for energy efficiency improvement would not change considerably. However, the cost-effective potential would increase to 18 percent of total energy use, and carbon dioxide emissions would be reduced by 16 percent. This demonstrates that the use of blended cements is a key cost-effective strategy for energy efficiency improvement and carbon dioxide emission reductions in the US cement industry.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; Environmental Protection Agency (US)
DOE Contract Number:
AC03-76SF00098
OSTI ID:
809919
Report Number(s):
LBNL-47322; R&D Project: 43AI01; TRN: US200308%%311
Journal Information:
Energy, the International Journal, Vol. 25, Issue 12; Other Information: Journal Publication Date: December 2000; PBD: 1 Nov 1999
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English