Developing an optimization model for CO2 reduction in cement production process

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has predicted global rise in temperature and carbon dioxide is a major greenhouse gas responsible for global warming. The cement industry contributes approximately five per cent of the total CO2 emitted worldwide. Ewekoro cement Plant, located in Ewekoro, Ogun State was used as a case study to evaluate the results of various modifications on cement plants operation that can impact on the plant CO2 emissions. An economic model which objective is to highlight the best selection strategy to reduce CO2 emissions with the least cost was developed using the industry data as part of this paper. The cement Plant achieved a significant result of 23.6 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions per tonne of cement produced. The results were achieved mainly by applying a progressive approach prioritizing project implementation effort and feasibility.