Pollution reduction and energy savings of a coupled two-kiln system for bricks making

✍ Scribed by Chavez, Rosa-Hilda

• Publisher: American Institute of Chemical Engineers
• Year: 2008
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 326 KB
• Volume: 27
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0278-4491
• DOI: 10.1002/ep.10289

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Atmospheric pollution is one of the most important current environmental problems, becoming a phenomenon that could reach levels of serious consequences with irreversible environmental impacts. In Mexico, like in several other countries, brickmakers 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 Federal 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 article presents the results of the analysis of a novel two‐kiln 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 because of the reduction of the consumption of fuel. Fortunately, these results show a combined 39% energy savings and a reduction of pollutants and particle emissions, as compared to the standard currently‐in‐use brick‐production systems. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2008