Cemex has signed a research agreement with the Earth Engineering Center (EEC) at Columbia University and the City College of New York, for a study that will investigate the life cycle effects of alternative fuel use in cement manufacturing. The research will focus on waste combustion technologies installed in Cemex kilns in the US and Mexico. The year-long study, which will be led by Professors Nickolas Themelis and Marco Castaldi, from Columbia University and the City College of New York, respectively, aims to increase understanding of the role that alternative fuels play in society and the environment.
"The study is of great interest to the EEC because cement production is the largest materials-based high-temperature process worldwide, therefore, cement kilns present a great potential to reduce the amount of wastes in landfills," commented Professor Themelis. "This study provides EEC with the opportunity to develop a knowledge position similar to that EEC has attained in the global waste-to-energy technology and industry."
EEC research focuses on sustainable waste management, particularly the recovery of energy and materials from solid wastes.
"This collaboration with EEC underscores the urgency of searching for alternative fuels given the continuing rise of oil prices and the increase of waste in landfills," stated Luis Farias, Cemex s Senior Vice President of Energy and Sustainability. "The alternative fuel strategy has already enabled Cemex to avoid the emission of approximately 2.5 million t of CO2 into the atmosphere per year."
Cemex achieved a 27% alternative fuel substitution rate in cement manufacture in 2012, and is on target to reach 35% by 2015.
