Energy Balance
The process requires energy: energy to quarry the limestone, energy to crush it into pieces, energy to calcine it into lime and energy to dispose of the lime in seawater. This section examines how much energy is required. If that energy is supplied by a carbon-containing fuel, then carbon dioxide will be generated – the amount of carbon dioxide generated will depend upon the type of fuel used.
- How much energy is used in the production of lime in current industrial processes? How much heat energy is used (to heat the limestone) and how much electrical energy is used (to drive machinery)?
- How much carbon dioxide is generated during the production of lime (both from the calcining of the limestone and from the combustion of the fuel)? How does this amount vary dependant on the calcining method used and the type of fuel used?
- Are there any methods of calcining limestone that produce a pure stream of carbon dioxide from the calcination of the limestone (i.e. physically separating the calcination of the limestone from the heating (see diagram), as opposed to co-firing the fuel/air mix with the limestone in a kiln)? If so, how energy efficient are they?
If you are able to help answer any of these questions, please get in touch with us. This project cannot progress without your input.
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- Bev says: August 1st, 2018