Research project ELECTRA demonstrates that electric heating can substitute fossil fuels in cement, lime, and pulp industries. It develops an emission-free, electrically heated cement and lime production process in MW scale capable of reaching 2000°C. Using low-emission electricity instead of combustion for decomposing calcium carbonate, and capturing the CO2 produced, it’s possible to run a cement plant with near-zero CO2 emissions, providing even negative-emission products.
ELECTRA shows that electric heating can replace fossil fuels in cement, lime, and pulp industries. It develops an emission-free, electrically heated process for cement and lime production, capable of reaching 2000°C. This process, combined with CO2 capture, allows for near-zero emissions. ELECTRA's implementation could reduce fuel-related CO2 emissions by 30-50%. Its platform-based solutions offer scalability and could accelerate electrification by up to 5 years. ELECTRA's results contribute to the goal of eliminating direct CO2 emissions from these industries.
Successful implementation of ELECTRA will eliminate fuel-related CO2-emissions from the industries targeted by 30-50% of total process emissions, depending on the industry and mode of operation.
Scalability and replicability is showcased by the platform-based solutions offering modularity, and the possibility is there to run in various hybrid modes in a transition period, lowering initial CAPEX. They allow for both new electric installations and revamping of old ones. Platform-based modular automation practices can potentially accelerate electrification by up to 5 years. Different applications also require different properties for lime and therefore variations of electrically heated processes are developed to support and complement MW scale demonstration.
Replacing combustion processes with electricity-based solutions and significantly increasing emission-free electricity production is an effective means of mitigating climate change. As one of the ingredients for concrete, cement is the world's most used building material and globally the largest CO2 emitter of all industrial sectors. The results of ELECTRA contribute directly to the ambitious goal of eliminating direct CO2 emissions from the lime, paper and cement industries. The developed fully electrified solutions for calcination and clinkering will offer the cheapest option for decarbonation for these industries.
Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy, Heidelberg Materials Cement Sverige AB, Lhoist Recherche et Developpement Sa, Stora Enso Ab, Humboldt Wedag Gmbh, University of South-Eastern Norway, Sintef As, Chalmers Technical University AB, Umeå University, Andritz Oy, Kanthal AB, ABB Oy, ABB Schweiz Ag, Sumitomo SHI FW Energia Oy, Advanced Minerals and Recycling Industrial Solutions IKE, Innovation Engineering Srl, Ciaotech Slr, and Suite5 Data Intelligence Solutions Limited
