Abstract

Cement industries are among the major industries in the production of greenhouse gases. The large amount of such gases released is due to two reasons: First, cement production and second, the high amount of energy consumption. The released CO₂ is the most important source of non-energy industrial processes. Globally, cement production holds 2.4% of the total CO₂ released in industrial sectors. Carbon dioxide is released during clinker production and by its intermediate products. In the energy section as well, the fuel mostly used by cement factories is Mazut and natural gas, also used as an alternative fuel. Right now there are 54 active cement factories in Iran and regarding the increasing demand for cement in the country, the number of such factories is increasing. Therefore, the necessity of studies like the current one is totally justified. Results show that the amount of CO₂ released in cement production (calcination), is much more than its amount released due to consumption of energy in thermal and electric forms. As a result, corrective measurements for reducing the amount of CO₂ released during cement production can be effective. The amount of CO₂ released in cement production is 830 kg per each ton of cement production. Considering the important role of cement and the general approach of Iran's increasing cement production capacity, environmental issues related to this industry must be studied.

Keywords: Cement; Greenhouses gases; Energy optimization