Recent Advances on the Uses of Biomass Alternative Fuels in Cement Manufacturing Process: A Review

The combustion of fossil energy has resulted in the emission of a substantial quantity of greenhouse gases, leading to the occurrence of global warming and a cascade of climate-related issues. Among many fossil energy consuming and heavily polluting processes, cement manufacturing from the precalciner kiln system stands out as a significant contributor. Over the past few decades, a substantial body of research has been conducted with the aim of reducing both the energy consumption and environmental impact associated with this industry through the utilization of alternative fuel sources. The integration of alternative fuels (plastic waste, meat and bone meal, municipal solid waste, refuse-derived fuel, tire-derived fuel, wood waste, etc.) in cement manufacturing has garnered considerable attention due to its efficacy in substituting the thermal energy requirements historically met by fossil fuels (coal, petroleum coke, oil, natural gas, etc.), thereby mitigating greenhouse gases emissions (CO2). The harshly alkaline conditions, elevated temperatures, and prolonged residence time of the rotary kiln facilitate the incineration of a diverse range of waste materials and hazardous substances (municipal solid waste, tire-derived fuel, dioxins and furans, heavy metals, etc.). However, alternative fuel still causes many problems. In recent years, with the increasingly attractive carbon emissions, biomass has proven to be a capable energy to meet the growing demand for clean energy. Biomass alternative fuels used to replace fossil fuels may reduce carbon emissions, and this is the main goal of climate strategy in various countries in the world. This paper presents the latest advancements in the utilization of biomass alternative fuels within the cement industry, and thoroughly examines and deliberates upon many scholarly articles pertaining to this particular research area. Studies on the impact of biomass alternative fuels on environmental emission, and challenges that may encounter when using biomass replacement fuel have also been included in this review. This paper furnishes a comprehensive understanding and elucidation of biomass alternative fuels, encompassing their implementation in the cement industry, while accentuating their salutary ramifications on the environment. Subsequently, we scrutinize the principal quandaries pertaining to the cocombustion of biomass alternative fuel in the cement industry and proffer feasible proposals for targeted solutions.