This Technology Transfer Advances South Africa's
- Nationally Determined Contribution to transform climate mitigation efforts from a “deviation from business-as-usual” form of commitment to take the form of a peak, plateau and decline GHG emissions trajectory range.
Context
The South African government has indicated the importance of and need to grow the country’s green economy, and has committed to reducing its carbon emissions. In parallel, South Africa expects increased investments in infrastructure (including housing, schools, economic zone development, and bulk service delivery); all of which requires cement.
Currently, the greenhouse gas (GHG) sectoral target for the cement industry is a reduction of 34 % by 2020 below the 1990 level. In addition, the South Africa's intended national determined contributions includes a mitigation target is to reduce by 42% below business as usual the GHG emissions growth trajectory by 2025. To meet these targets, South Africa aims to implement the most appropriate energy conservation technologies and to adopt further innovative technologies, such as the use of alternate resources, as well as Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS).
Assistance Requested
South Africa's Association of Cementitious Material Producers requested assistance to assess the technical feasibility, GHG reduction potential and cost efficiency for a hybrid system of waste heat recovery and mineral carbon capture and utilization (MCC&U) at selected plants; and to explore linkages and potential application of mineral carbon capture and utilization technology in other industrial sectors.
CTCN Support
CTCN experts will provide the following technology assistance in South Africa:
- Analysis of chemical components of exhaust gas from an existing cement kiln and concrete wastes such as concrete sludge to make a recommendation of appropriate reaction conditions and to estimate its operational cost. Furthermore, GHG reduction will be calculated by estimating the recycled volume of the waste.
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Financial assessment of domestic market demand and value for the bi-products from cement production (mainly in the form of calcium carbonate) and use of this information to calculate the GHG marginal abatement costs of the mineral carbon capture and utilization technology.
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Development of a business plan and strategic recommendations for commercial application of the analysed technologies.
Relevant Technologies and Approaches
Expected Benefits
The GHG reduction potential of this hybrid system for waste heat recovery and mineral carbon capture and utilization is expected to be significant if the technology is applied across the sector. Similar, the technologies provide a good opportunity for industrial collaboration whereby waste products are transformed into a valuable commodity.
