Overview

Carbon-neutral cement production involves a paradigm shift. It will be disruptive in the extreme.

The global cement industry accounts for about 2.5% of global primary energy consumption, but contributes 8% of anthropogenic CO2 emissions. For Paris Agreement signatory nations, especially those pledged to deliver a carbon-neutral outcome by 2050, transition to carbon-neutral cement production seems mandatory. Primary energy consumption will likely rise from 4GJ/tcement to 7.5GJ/tcement, with implications for renewable electricity build-out targets. The energy demand increment, when coupled with tight CO2 emissions limits, significantly influences the basis-of-design for necessary CCS fixed capital assets.

This presentation considers:

• Existing Best Available Technology – a reference for unmitigated CO2 emissions
• Entrenched industry myths – cement kiln location, and international trade
• Fuel substitution – short-term emission reduction, at odds with least-cost CCS
• CO2 capture technology – incremental thermal or electrical energy consumption
• Life-cycle CO2 emissions (Scope 1/2/3) and consequences for renewable electricity
• Big picture – CCS geology: a national resource; co-location of cement and hydrogen

Presentation themes are transferable to the nascent green hydrogen industry, and uptake of electric vehicles – each relying on access to zero-emission electricity.

Speaker

Mark Hogson, Fellow of IChemE

Mark Hodgson holds degrees in chemical engineering and economics. His four decade working career spans a variety of process industries, including both upstream and downstream oil and gas, and the cane sugar industry.

Consistent with continuous learning, Mark is completing write-up of a University of Queensland PhD thesis, exploring necessary transitions for production of carbon-neutral cement. Mark is a Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers, and active within the Clean Energy Special Interest Group.

The material presented in this webinar has not been peer-reviewed. Any opinions are the presenter's own and do not necessarily represent those of IChemE or the Clean Energy Special Interest Group. The information is given in good faith but without any liability on the part of IChemE.

Webinar archive

This webinar is free of charge and open to all to attend, but if you wish to access the slides and a recording to replay on demand then you will need to be a member of the Clean Energy Special Interest Group.