Environmental Benefits of Using Spent Pot Lining (SPL) in Cement Production

摘要

Spent pot lining (SPL) is a toxic waste material produced during the pot replacement process in the aluminium industry. This paper presents a comprehensive environmental assessment of a case study in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where SPL from Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) was used as a feedstock at a cement plant in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. Three areas of environmental concern were studied: fuel savings and CO_2 reductions, changes in NO_x emissions, and raw material repurposing and toxic substance destruction. The use of SPL in cement production is shown to yield significant environmental benefits in terms of reducing emissions and coal consumption and destroying toxic substances. These changes are primarily attributed to the fluoride content in SPL creating fluoride fluxing effects that reduce the high temperature requirements of the cement kiln. This initiative bolsters the concept of a circular economy in which different industries collaborate to improve environmental sustainability.