Evaluation of Carbon Capture Potential in the Brazilian Cement Sector

Abstract

Cement industry has always been among the largest industrial CO2 emission sources, accounting for 7% of global CO2 emission from stationary sources. CCS technology appears as a major option, in addition to fuel saving and fuel switching measures, able to mitigate CO2 emissions. This study evaluates the potential application of carbon capture in the Brazilian cement sector. Among the CO2 capture technologies studied, the only commercially available for the existing cement plants in Brazil is based on the post-combustion capture route, relying on chemical absorption. To calculate the potential of retroffiting Brazilian cement facilities, it was assumed that the steam and power needed by the capture plant would be generated from a cogeneration plant with natural gas or petroleum coke, or a petroleum coke boiler or even a natural gas boiler would generate steam, and power would be purchased from the grid. Findings indicated an abatement cost hovering between $ 114/tCO2 (in Southeast, South and Midwest of Brazil) and $ 117/tCO2 (in North and Northeast). The gross potential equaled 47 MtCO2/year, being reduced to 31 MtCO2/year after discounting the fraction withouth water availability to implement a carbon capture facility.