Comparative analysis of available life cycle inventories of cement in the EU

Life cycle inventories are a prerequisite of life cycle assessments. This paper conducts a comparative analysis of inventories of several different types of cement produced in Europe. It considers the production of 1 kg of cement from cradle to gate and all results are based on this mass unit. The r...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Josa Garcia-Tornel, Alejandro|||0000-0003-1180-7910, Aguado de Cea, Antonio|||0000-0001-5542-6365, Heino, Atte, Byars, Ewan, Cardim de Carvalho Filho, Arnaldo
Format: article
Publication Date:2004
Country:España
Institution:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repository:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/2481
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/2481
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Life cycle costing
Cement industries
Life cycle inventory analysis
Cement production
Emissions
System boundary
Clinker
Cicle de vida del producte
Ciment -- Producció
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria civil::Materials i estructures::Materials i estructures de formigó
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria civil::Impacte ambiental
Description
Summary:Life cycle inventories are a prerequisite of life cycle assessments. This paper conducts a comparative analysis of inventories of several different types of cement produced in Europe. It considers the production of 1 kg of cement from cradle to gate and all results are based on this mass unit. The reliability of cement inventories is affected by inaccurate or non-representative data, and comparative analysis is difficult due to varying system boundary definitions. Only the four main emissions (CO2, NOx, SO2 and dust) are considered. The theoretical model used gives reasonable estimates of emission levels and thus can serve as a reference to measured values. In the case of CO2, this is definitely a feasible alternative to in situ measurements. The emissions derive primarily from the production of clinker, both from the chemical reactions occurring in the kiln and by its fossil fuel consumption.