Design and Characterization of Waste Plastics and Plastic Based Waste Materials as Supplementary Fuels for Cement Kilns

Unrecyclable Waste materials destined for landfills could be used as fuel for cement kilns with little to no pre-processing. The very high temperatures required in cement production make cheaper alternatives to coal as fuel, necessary to cut down on production costs. However a selected waste material replacing coal or petroleum coke must be suitable for cement kiln operations and must result in minimal adverse changes in the emission of the cement kiln. Waste materials containing certain plastics have the potential to meet these two major criteria. This project will identify, and perform waste-plastic to fuel combustion tests to suggest recommended plastic-coal blends that will meet emission standards and reduce cost for cement plants, a diversion which in turn reduces landfill management expenses which have been increasing over the years for local governments.

Faculty Supervisor:

Mark Gibson

Student:

Partner:

Lafarge North America

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

Dalhousie University

Program: