Cement, Energy and Environment

56 since decades, can significantly increase to 20-30 million tonnes, given the positive support with policy push. Only around 50% of total generated flyash is being utilized in cement industry while around 100 million tonnes/ year remains unused. This can be utilized to a large extent in cement plants with increase in blended cement and composite cement production. Fly Ash is an environmentally hazardous material, produced by Thermal Power Plants, which the Cement Industry utilizes and in the process, helps the environmental cause. It has been projected that, as of now, about 200 million tonnes of Fly Ash is generated by Thermal Power Plants and is likely to go up to 300 million tonnes in the next few years. There is a huge potential for utilizing Fly Ash by the cement plants which will not only help the environment but will help release significant areas of land from having to be used as dumps by the Thermal Power Plants and turning them barren. The Make in India initiative calls for substantial industrial research for sustainable development. This would have a large potential for import substitutes and to export indigenously developed technologies. Therefore, adequate funds have to be made available for a meaningful R&D. The Proceedings of the Seminar consisting of the Abstracts were brought out in the form of Booklet and E- book.197 technical papers were presented in 25 technical sessions, apart from special technical sessions by internationally renowned experts. The authors gave emphasis to issues related to all areas of cement manufacture, blended and special cements, performance and durability of concrete as well as emerging trends in building materials and construction practices. Special lectures were delivered by Dr Kare Helge Karstensen on ‘Formation and Control of Dioxins in Dry Pre-heater/Pre-calciner Kilns Co-processing Wastes’ and by WBCSD on ‘Low Carbon Transitions for the Cement and Concrete sector – A Global Partnership Approach’ in the Panel Discussion. The brief of presentations during the seminar are: For sustainable development and making Swachh Bharat a reality, cement industry is taking initiatives for using Alternative Fuels and Raw Materials (AFRs) and increasing the Thermal substitution rate (TSR) which is presently very low in comparison to European countries. Paper on equipment for co-processing of AFRs like covered storage facility equipped with automatic grab crane system, metallic apron extractor, double valve airlock and safety gate dealt with safety and reliability issues in handling of AFRs. Such equipment are flexible and can handle heterogeneous solid fuels like shredded tyres, RDF, MSW, industrial waste, plastic waste, paper, agro waste etc. Success story on increasing the TSR while dealing with challenges in using AFRs and calling for adoption of ‘Polluter Pays’ principle was presented. While a paper on optimization of granulometry of raw mix based on mineralogy of raw materials highlighted the energy saving potential in cement plants another paper dealt with challenges in use of AFRs and their effect on refractory life of cement kilns and presented the development of phosphate bonded alumino-silicate bricks. Developments are taking place for sustainable construction and development. Papers were presented on third party quality assurance in construction activities and study of flexural behavior of high strength reinforced concrete beams. Further, papers on alternative aggregates like bottom ash sought to provide a new direction in meeting the challenge of scarce natural resources in construction. Papers on laboratory automation and analytical techniques focused attention on importance of quality control in meeting customer requirements. Quality management and assurance is important for sustainable business excellence. A paper on Risk management and stabilizing organizations in uncertain business environment highlighted the importance of systems, specially ISO 9001, and their usefulness in delivering consistent quality products and assuring customer satisfaction. Paper on proficiency testing highlighted the importance of accreditation for testing laboratories and enhancing competence by participating in Proficiency Testing (PT) schemes. Papers on environmental management, water footprint assessment study, NO x &SO x emissions control and atmospheric CO 2 sequestration were also presented.