Co-incineration of secondary fuels

Secondary fuels are mainly used for co-combustion in lime, power and cement plants. The annual quantity used in Germany has been at a constantly high level in recent years, at around 3 million Mg/a. The cement industry is the main consumer, accounting for up to 80 per cent. The cement industry is the main consumer, accounting for up to 80 per cent. This saves primary fuels (such as coal, natural gas) in the very energy-intensive cement clinker burning process.

At the same time, the use of alternative fuels in cement plants results in partial material recycling. Ash from alternative fuels contains comparable components to the raw meal (including silicon, aluminium, iron, calcium, magnesium) and is fully integrated into the cement clinker. In the future, it should be possible to identify the recycled material as a recycling index. An ISO standard is currently being developed for this purpose.