China: Researchers at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University have produced clinker by burning fuel containing 20% post-consumer wood-derived fuel (WDF), reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 16% compared to the same fuel blend without WDF, at no cost to product quality. VerticalNews has reported that the combustion also emitted mercury, cadmium, thallium and other heavy metals respectively at a rate of 2%, 21%, 6% and 7% of China’s specified limits.
The findings follow research from Tsinghua University aimed at ascertaining the total process-related, direct fossil fuel-related and indirect electricity-related emissions of China’s cement sector. Since the government committed to a reduction compared to its 2005 per capita CO2 emissions of 40 - 45% by 2020 and 60 - 65% by 2030, China’s cement-related emissions peaked in 2014. The research, funded by various Chinese public bodies as well as the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Natural Environment Research Council, indicated that historical emissions growth was driven by economic growth, offset in recent years by improved intensity and efficiency. The outsourcing of cement capacities to less developed regions with less accurate recording methods may have precipitated the trend.
Bio-derived fuels from the growing consumer sector may help China to establish itself as an innovator of green cement solutions.
