The benefits of co-processing wasted tires for the cement industry

The wasted tire is a residue that must be properly managed until its final disposal, because when improperly disposed, it can cause damage to the environment and risk to public health. In the city of João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil, a program called Programa Nordeste Rodando Limpo was started in March 2005 and consisted of the collecting and disposal of scrap tires to be used as fuel in furnaces for manufacturing of clinker. This research was conducted in a cement factory located in the city of João Pessoa. The main objective was to analyze the benefits of using scrap tires in co-processing. The methodology used was based on qualitative assessment of the benefits generated to the public health; quantitative assessment of the social gains generated to collectors; as well as the measurement of atmospheric emissions during the co-processing. The results confirmed the benefits in co-processing, allowing the removal of 26.569 tons of waste tires that were deposited in the states of Paraiba, Pernambuco and Rio Grande do Norte. A social mechanism for collecting waste tires was created, which enabled economic gains of R$ 2 million to collectors, helping to improve their quality of life. There was also a gradual increase in the use of wasted tires, resulting in a lower consumption of non-renewable fuels, minimizing atmospheric emissions due to the lower volume of petroleum coke used and transported.

cement; co-processing; atmospheric emissions; useless tires; waste; reutilization