Background

In an effort to reduce consumption of fossil fuels and curb rising energy costs, cement manufacturers worldwide are co-processing alternative fuels along with coal. The effective utilization of industrial wastes and biomass in cement kilns in India can help conserving fossil fuels and therefore consequent reduction in GHG emissions. ZCL is keen to explore the possibility of blending of alternative fuels along with coal to reduce dependency on coal and thereby ensure cleaner production. Hence, ZCL has entrusted WII the study on availability of alternate fuels for ZCL’s Yerraguntla and Sitapuram plants

Objective

The objective of the study is to identify suitable alternative fuel options for partial replacement of coal in ZCL-Yerraguntla and Sitapuram Cement plants in YSR District and Nalgonda District, Andhra Pradesh respectively; conduct resource assessment of the identified alternative fuel options; and recommend suitable alternative fuel options for implementation.

Activities

The activities carried out under the study are as follows:
Types of different crops cultivated and agricultural residues produced in the region within a radial distance of 100 km from both the cement plant locations; seasonal production of agro residues, their physical characteristics and chemical properties; consumption of biomass residues by different end-users and applications; surplus & seasonal availability of biomass residues. Apart from the above, studies have been also conducted for Julflora, MSW, Industrial hazardous wastes and shredded tyres. Then the price and transportation of various biomass, wastes are also reviewed and documented. Further to this, recommendations and conclusions for the use of various alternative fuels considered in the study have been documented.