Life cycle environmental assessment of Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) as an alternative to fossil fuels in cement production: A sustainable approach for mitigating carbon emissions

This study evaluates the environmental impacts of using Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) as an alternative fuel in the cement industry during natural gas shortages in Tehran, Iran. Given the increasing municipal solid waste production and the cement industry's significant carbon emissions, this resear...

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Main Authors: Helia Salaripoor, Hossein Yousefi, Mahmood Abdoos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-03-01
Series:Fuel Communications
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666052025000032
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author Helia Salaripoor
Hossein Yousefi
Mahmood Abdoos
author_facet Helia Salaripoor
Hossein Yousefi
Mahmood Abdoos
author_sort Helia Salaripoor
collection DOAJ
description This study evaluates the environmental impacts of using Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) as an alternative fuel in the cement industry during natural gas shortages in Tehran, Iran. Given the increasing municipal solid waste production and the cement industry's significant carbon emissions, this research takes an innovative approach to assess RDF's potential to mitigate these issues through a life cycle approach. The analysis employs OpenLCA software to compare the environmental effects of RDF against traditional fossil fuels fuel oil and coal during colder months when natural gas is scarce. The study examines two RDF compositions, including organic waste and one excluding it, to determine their impacts on sustainability and fuel efficiency. Key findings indicate that RDF, mainly when produced with organic waste, offers substantial reductions in global warming potential (GWP) and other environmental impacts compared to conventional fuels. Specifically, the results demonstrate that RDF can significantly lower CO₂ emissions associated with cement production, positioning it as a viable option for enhancing energy sustainability within the industry. This research underscores the importance of integrating waste management strategies with energy recovery solutions, providing valuable insights for policymakers aiming to address both waste disposal and energy needs sustainably.
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publishDate 2025-03-01
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spelling doaj-art-06a80ae482124bfcae5e2b1dde1f3a772025-08-20T02:02:24ZengElsevierFuel Communications2666-05202025-03-012210013510.1016/j.jfueco.2025.100135Life cycle environmental assessment of Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) as an alternative to fossil fuels in cement production: A sustainable approach for mitigating carbon emissionsHelia Salaripoor0Hossein Yousefi1Mahmood Abdoos2School of Energy Engineering and Sustainable Resources, College of Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, University of Tehran, Tehran, IranCorresponding author.; School of Energy Engineering and Sustainable Resources, College of Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, University of Tehran, Tehran, IranSchool of Energy Engineering and Sustainable Resources, College of Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, University of Tehran, Tehran, IranThis study evaluates the environmental impacts of using Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) as an alternative fuel in the cement industry during natural gas shortages in Tehran, Iran. Given the increasing municipal solid waste production and the cement industry's significant carbon emissions, this research takes an innovative approach to assess RDF's potential to mitigate these issues through a life cycle approach. The analysis employs OpenLCA software to compare the environmental effects of RDF against traditional fossil fuels fuel oil and coal during colder months when natural gas is scarce. The study examines two RDF compositions, including organic waste and one excluding it, to determine their impacts on sustainability and fuel efficiency. Key findings indicate that RDF, mainly when produced with organic waste, offers substantial reductions in global warming potential (GWP) and other environmental impacts compared to conventional fuels. Specifically, the results demonstrate that RDF can significantly lower CO₂ emissions associated with cement production, positioning it as a viable option for enhancing energy sustainability within the industry. This research underscores the importance of integrating waste management strategies with energy recovery solutions, providing valuable insights for policymakers aiming to address both waste disposal and energy needs sustainably.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666052025000032Refuse-Derived FuelCement industryLife cycle assessmentEnvironmental impactMunicipal solid wasteEnergy sustainability
spellingShingle Helia Salaripoor
Hossein Yousefi
Mahmood Abdoos
Life cycle environmental assessment of Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) as an alternative to fossil fuels in cement production: A sustainable approach for mitigating carbon emissions
Fuel Communications
Refuse-Derived Fuel
Cement industry
Life cycle assessment
Environmental impact
Municipal solid waste
Energy sustainability
title Life cycle environmental assessment of Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) as an alternative to fossil fuels in cement production: A sustainable approach for mitigating carbon emissions
title_full Life cycle environmental assessment of Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) as an alternative to fossil fuels in cement production: A sustainable approach for mitigating carbon emissions
title_fullStr Life cycle environmental assessment of Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) as an alternative to fossil fuels in cement production: A sustainable approach for mitigating carbon emissions
title_full_unstemmed Life cycle environmental assessment of Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) as an alternative to fossil fuels in cement production: A sustainable approach for mitigating carbon emissions
title_short Life cycle environmental assessment of Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) as an alternative to fossil fuels in cement production: A sustainable approach for mitigating carbon emissions
title_sort life cycle environmental assessment of refuse derived fuel rdf as an alternative to fossil fuels in cement production a sustainable approach for mitigating carbon emissions
topic Refuse-Derived Fuel
Cement industry
Life cycle assessment
Environmental impact
Municipal solid waste
Energy sustainability
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666052025000032
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AT hosseinyousefi lifecycleenvironmentalassessmentofrefusederivedfuelrdfasanalternativetofossilfuelsincementproductionasustainableapproachformitigatingcarbonemissions
AT mahmoodabdoos lifecycleenvironmentalassessmentofrefusederivedfuelrdfasanalternativetofossilfuelsincementproductionasustainableapproachformitigatingcarbonemissions