Embodied energy and CO₂ emissions in the cement manufacturing process in Ecuador

Abstract

Cement is an indispensable material for construction, so obtaining local data on the environmental impact generated by its production in Ecuador is necessary for decision makers and manufacturers. This research determines the embodied energy and CO₂ emissions in the cement manufacturing process, through the application of the Life Cycle Analysis Methodology and the Guidelines of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2006 for national inventories of greenhouse gases. The study considers the production of 1 tonne of cement per year of production with a "gate to gate" approach. The results show that its production requires 3,191.95 MJ of energy and generates emissions of 510.57 KgCO₂. The main contributors in energy are due to the limestone, fuel oil and electricity. The unitary process that generates the greatest impact is the clinker production, both from the chemical reactions occurring in the kiln and by its fossil fuel consumption.

Keywords:
Cement production. Clinker production; embodied energy; CO₂ emissions; Ecuador