ENERGY SAVINGS AND POLLUTION REDUCTION BY COUPLING A THREE-KILN BRICK PRODUCTION SYSTEM FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

摘要

Atmospheric pollution is one of the most important environmental problems, becoming a phenomenon that could reach levels of serious consequences with irreversible environmental impacts. In Mexico, like in several other countries, brick makers carry out brick production by burning mixtures of different heavy fuels. Because of the wide variety of fuels used it is necessary to determine what types of residual gases are generated, in order to propose remedial treatments in production or to introduce substitution technologies. These preventive actions need to be put in place in order to comply with the Ecological Balance and Environment Protection General Law. Brick kilns emit pollutant gases and particles that remain in the air causing a serious health hazard to the near-factory residents. Amongst these pollutants are carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur oxides (SO_x) and hydrocarbons. This paper presents the results of the analysis of a novel 3-kilns coupled system. This experimental analysis includes the determination of the combustion products for gases and particulate matter generated from the burning of the heavy fuels using Gas Chromatography and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Field data also allowed the determination of energy savings for this system, mainly due to the reduction of the consumption of fuel. Fortunately these results show a combined 30% energy savings and a reduction of pollutants and particle emissions.