Energy Conservation in Cement and Steel Industry

Aware of the enormous potential for energy conservation, scientists are studying solutions to effectively conserve energy in industrial sectors including cement and steel production.

The industrial sector uses 40 percent of the world’s primary energy and eliminates an equal amount of carbon dioxide. In Vietnam, industry ranks first in energy consumption in comparison with other areas such as agriculture, traffic and transport. Within the industrial sector, iron, steel and cement production have the largest potential for energy conservation if their facilities are properly equipped with modern technology.

Tran Manh Hung, the head of the Energy Economics, Demand Forecast and DSM Department at the Institute of Energy under the Ministry of Industry and Trade said, “Poor legal basis, business indifference, the lack of technical experts and information on modern technologies, equipment and cheap solutions have made energy conservation difficult.”

Hung stated that the potential for energy conservation in Vietnam ranges from 10 to 40 percent. For example, cement production can conserve more than 20 percent of its energy use. Energy can be saved during material preparation, the kiln process and during clinker grinding. Heat energy from exhaust fumes can be recovered and reused during other production processes such as in electricity production. For example, heat energy from one cement factory that produces 20,000 tons of cement per day can be used to produce 23,000 kW of electricity.

Hung also said iron and steel factories consume enormous amounts of energy mainly because of poor technology. Statistics show that lamination steel factories, which use poor technology, waste 30 percent more energy than modern factories. Therefore, modern technology needs to be used during the steel refinement and lamination stages. While refining steel, exhaust fumes can be utilized during the drying stage. During the laminating process, if rough steel is heated before being put into stove, 20-30 percent of fuel can be conserved.

In addition, steel factories should be equipped with support devices such as air pressure machines and conveyor belts, which are simple tools that produce huge results. To reduce energy consumption, it is necessary to control air leaks, heat transference or deal with condensed water. Engines should have inverters and soft start devices. One popular and effective solution is to use energy saving lamps.

With the projects that require large capital, one effective solution to support businesses to conserve energy is to use Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) applications. It is the only soft regulation present in the Kyoto Protocol, which is referred to use in developing countries like Vietnam. Through this mechanism, businesses will be given capital and technical support by developed countries.

By the end of 2009, globally there were 1,907 projects that were recognized as CDM projects. In Vietnam, 15 projects are proposing to be recognized as CDM projects, which would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 11 million tonnes. These projects include small hydroelectric plants and waste treatment factories./.

VEN

Tags: Vietnam cement, Vietnam energy, Vietnam steel