Uma análise preliminar da energia embutida no cimento considerando Brasil e Reino Unido

Abstract

Since the 1970’s energy crisis, search for a reduction in energy consumption in the production processes has increased. One of the most used methods in this context, refers to the energy embedded in the product, which considers the energy consumption corresponding to the extraction of raw materials, processing and transportation. Aiming to compare the energy incorporated in Brazilian Portland cement in relation to that of the United Kingdom, a developed country, but with production corresponding to 12.80% of the total produced in Brazil, this energy was accounted for in both countries on a period of five years. It was observed that in Brazil the total amount was 21.43% higher. In order to verify if there were reductions in the consumption of electric energy and petroleum coke by the cement industry in Brazil, the consumption of these energies per ton of cement, produced between 2009 and 2013, was quantified, showing a reduction of 1.04% in electricity expenditure, although a constant petroleum coke consumption. The study showed that the search for energy efficiency improvement in the sector was higher in the UK than in Brazil, such as the 44.8% decrease in specific energy consumption achieved in production in 2010, largely due to the use of recyclable materials as fuel.