Design and Analysis of a Plasma Assisted Cement Production Reactor with Low-Carbon Emission

Abstract

Cement is a vital building material, and with the increasing urbanization of the world, the demand for cement is expected to surge. In 2006, global cement production reached a staggering 2.54 billion tons, and over the period of 2001 - 2005, there was a remarkable increase of 35% in its production. However, the production of cement is a highly carbon-intensive process, contributing as much as 8% of global CO2 emissions. This is mainly due to the chemical reactions and extreme conditions required to produce cement. The CO2 emissions in cement production occur through two significant processes. Firstly, the calcination reaction, which is the decomposition of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) into calcium oxide (CaO) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Secondly, the combustion of fuels that are required to reach the high temperatures necessary for the calcination reaction to occur at approximately 1000 degrees C, and subsequently for the formation of cement clinker at approximately 1500 degrees C, accounts for a significant portion of CO2 emissions. Each of these two processes contributes to approximately 50% of the CO2 emissions in the cement production process. However, there is hope for a more sustainable production of cement. Research has shown that plasma can be utilized to reduce the temperature at which reactions occur, thanks to the free radicals and excited species that plasma creates. This research was put to use by designing a plasma-assisted cement production reactor, which was then tested to determine if a cement clinker could be produced at a lower temperature and if the calcination reaction could be concentrated to the surface of the CaCO3 particles, thereby reducing the CO2 emissions. The development of this plasma assisted cement production technology has the potential to revolutionize cement production and make it more environmentally sustainable.