Exergy analysis of cement production

In the present paper, cement production in Greece has been examined using the exergy analysis methodology. The major goal of the modern cement and concrete production industry is the minimisation of energy costs and environmental effects. The rational management of raw materials and energy requires analytical decision making tools that will provide the necessary information for the identification of possible improvements in the life cycle of a product. The second law of Thermodynamics allows for the evaluation of the irreversibility and the exergetic performance of a process. The analysis involves assessment of energy and exergy input at each stage of the cement production process. The chemical exergy of the reaction is also calculated and taken into consideration. It is found that 50% of the exergy is being lost even though a big amount of waste heat is being recovered.