CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Energy is commonly defined as the ability to do work or to produce heat.

Normally heat could be derived by burning a fuel (i.e. a substance that contains

internal energy which upon burning generates heat). (IEA 2004).

The energy system today is highly dependent on fossil fuel with coal fuel oil and

natural gas accounting for about 80% of world primary energy demand. (Kul

2001).

Fuels are the major source of energy for industries and cement industry is not an

exception. However the energy source to be adopted will have to meet the varying

needs of different countries and at the same time enhance the security of each

against the energy crisis that have taken place in the past. The selection/ choice of

fuel type depend on various factors such as environmental pollution ease in

processing storage and handling availability and cost of the fuel.

Coal fuel oil and natural gas are the most commonly used energy carrier in cement

industries. The energy use for cement production is distributed as follows:-

 92.7% for pyro-processing

 5.4% for finishing grinding and

 1.9% for raw grinding (Choate 2003).

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The choice of fuel use entails the level at which green house gases (GHG) are

emitted the cost of cement and the quality of the cement produced.

This research work will help in selecting the best fuel and techniques to be use in

order to attain a high quality product at a lower cost with lesser green house gas

emission to the environment.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The choice of fuel is attained by comparative analysis of coal fuel oil and natural

gas in cement production. In comparing these fuels the following problem arises:-

 Knowledge of the physio- chemical properties of coal fuel oil and natural

gas.

 Knowledge of the green houses gases (GHG) emitted by each of these fuel

their level of emission and their effects on the environment and humans

health (esp. cement workers).

 Knowledge of the cost and availability of coal fuel oil and natural gas.

1.3 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

The aims of this research work is to;

 Study the physical and chemical properties of coal fuel oil and natural gas.

 Gain knowledge on the green house gases (GHG) emitted their effect on the

environment and humans health and the level of emission from each fuel.

 Study coal fuel oil and natural gas in relation to cost and availability.

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1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

With the growth in industrialization today this study will offer numerous values both

to the cement industry and staff the environment and society at large.

It will choose an economical and less hazardous fuel and techniques for cement

production.

Also it will help in the selection of techniques /fuel that will reduce the emission of

green house gases (GHG) from cement industries to the environment. This gases

emitted causes acid rain smog etc. which can cause cancer to human and destroys

plant lives.

In terms of infrastructural development an economical fuel for production will lead

to a reduction in the cost of cement thereby encouraging the development of

buildings and Government in development of roads bridges and other

construction- oriented projects.

This study will also give students of chemical engineering and other related courses

an insight of these fuels with their different environmental implications properties

and choice of fuel when combustion of fuel is required.

1.5 SCOPE AND LIMITATION

This study would have covered all the Nigerian cement industries but due to time

and cost of analysis it is limited to three(3) cement industries namely:- Dangote

Cement in Gboko -Benue State United Cement Company in Calabar - Cross River

State(UniCem) and Nigerian Cement Company in Nkalagu -Ebonyi State

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(NigerCem) of which each uses Fuel oil natural gas and coal respectively as

energy source.

The intention of the study is to cover the effects of coal fuel oil and natural gas in

the production of cement with reference to cost storage and handling availability

product quality and environmental impact.

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