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Article Review

Analysis of Alternative Fuels for Carbon Reduction in the Cement Industry

시멘트 산업의 탄소 저감을 위한 대체연료 분석

Na-yeong Kim1
,
Young-jin Kim1
,
Tae-hyung Kim1
,
Jin-sang Cho1*
김 나영1
,
김 영진1
,
김 태형1
,
조 진상1*
1Korea Institute of Limestone and Advanced Materials
1한국석회석신소재연구소
*Corresponding Author
31 October 2025. pp. 18-31
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Abstract

The cement industry is an energy-intensive sector with significant CO2 emissions owing to the high-temperature calcination processes and fuel combustion involved in clinker production. As the realization of carbon neutrality accelerates, the introduction of fuels to replace existing fossil fuels is being deliberated for the cement sector. In the domestic cement industry, various waste-derived alternative fuels, such as waste synthetic resins, waste tires, and waste wood, are utilized. This can contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and promote resource recycling. As of 2021, the domestic cement industry has used approximately 2.245 million tons of the alternative fuels, accounting for 35 % of the total fuel consumption in the cement industry. Alternative fuels emit lower CO2 than fossil fuels, such as bituminous coal. However, the domestic utilization rate of alternative fuels is low compared to that of major European countries. Accordingly, a multifaceted approach, includes institutional improvement, quality control, and supply and demand stabilization is required. This study investigated the current status of alternative fuel use in the domestic cement industry, overseas applications, and the characteristics of each fuel. Additionally, it explored ways to utilize carbon-free fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia to realize carbon neutrality in the cement industry in the future.

Keywords
Cement industry
Carbon neutrality
Alternative fuels
Carbon-free fuels

시멘트 산업은 고온 소성 공정을 수반하는 에너지 집약적 산업으로, 원료의 탈탄산 반응 및 연료 연소 과정에서 다량의 이산화탄소를 배출한다. 탄소중립 실현이 가속화됨에 따라, 시멘트 산업에서는 기존의 화석연료를 대체할 수 있는 연료의 도입이 중요한 과제로 논의되고 있다. 국내 시멘트 산업에서는 폐합성수지, 폐타이어, 폐목재 등 다양한 폐기물 기반 대체연료가 활용되고 있으며, 이는 자원순환 촉진과 동시에 온실가스 저감에 기여할 수 있다. 2021년 기준, 국내 시멘트 산업의 대체연료 사용량은 약 2,245천 톤으로, 전체 연료 사용량의 35%를 차지하는 것으로 보고되었다. 대체연료는 기존 연료인 유연탄에 비해 이산화탄소 발생률이 적다는 장점이 있지만, 국내의 대체연료 활용률은 유럽 주요국에 비해 낮은 수준에 머물러 있다. 이에 따라 제도적 개선, 품질관리, 수급 안정화 등 다각적인 접근이 요구된다. 본 연구에서는 국내 시멘트 산업에서의 대체연료 사용 현황, 해외 적용 사례, 연료별 특성 등을 조사하였으며 향후 시멘트 산업의 탄소중립을 위한 수소와 암모니아 같은 무탄소연료의 활용 방안을 모색하였다.

키워드
시멘트 산업
탄소중립
대체연료
무탄소연료
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Information
  • Publisher :The Korean Institute of Resources Recycling
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국자원리싸이클링학회
  • Journal Title :Resources Recycling
  • Journal Title(Ko) :자원리싸이클링
  • Volume : 34
  • No :5
  • Pages :18-31
  • Received Date : 2025-08-04
  • Revised Date : 2025-09-26
  • Accepted Date : 2025-09-30
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7844/kirr.2025.34.5.18
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