An inventory of primary air pollutants and CO2 emissions from cement production in China, 1990–2020

Qiang Zhang,Yu Lei,Kebin He,Chris Nielsen

doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2010.09.034

Abstract

Abstract Direct emissions of air pollutants from the cement industry in China were estimated by developing a technology-based methodology using information on the proportion of cement produced from different types of kilns and the emission standards for the Chinese cement industry. Historical emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), nitrogen oxides (NO X ), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) were estimated for the years 1990–2008, and future emissions were projected up to 2020 based on current energy-related and emission control policies. Compared with the historical high (4.36 Tg of PM 2.5 , 7.16 Tg of PM 10 and 10.44 Tg of TSP in 1997), PM emissions are predicted to drop substantially by 2020, despite the expected tripling of cement production. Certain other air pollutant emissions, such as CO and SO 2 , are also predicted to decrease with the progressive closure of shaft kilns. NO X emissions, however, could increase because of the promotion of precalciner kilns and the rapid increase of cement production. CO 2 emissions from the cement industry account for approximately one eighth of China’s national CO 2 emissions. Our analysis indicates that it is possible to reduce CO 2 emissions from this industry by approximately 12.8% if advanced energy-related technologies are implemented. These technologies will bring co-benefits in reducing other air pollutants as well.

Highlights

China is the largest cement producing and consuming country in the world
The cement industry is a major source of particulate matter (PM) in China, contributing more than a quarter of PM2.5 and PM10 in 2005
This study estimates the direct emissions of major air pollutants from cement production based on information on the development of production technologies and rising emission standards in China’s cement industry

Summary

Introduction

China is the largest cement producing and consuming country in the world. Cement production in China was 1.39 billion metric tons in 2008 (CMIIT, 2009), which accounted for 50% of the world’s production (USGS, 2009). In China, the cement industry has been identified as an important source of pollution. It is the largest source of PM emissions, accounting for 40% of PM emissions from all industrial sources (CEYEC, 2001) and 27% of total national PM emissions (Zhang et al, 2007a). Cement production releases large amounts of CO2 from both fuel combustion and the chemical process producing clinker, where calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is calcined and reacted with silica-bearing minerals. According to the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory of China (NDRC, 2004), cement

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Conclusion