Optimisation of pre-blending process for raw materials in quarrying

ABSTRACT

The negative effects of using fossil fuels and production costs are major problems for cement industry. In this study, the unit production costs and CO₂ emissions from raw material production were calculated for cement quarries. A mathematical model was used to blend the raw materials produced by the cement quarries. The objective function was defined as minimising CO₂ emissions and the unit production costs from raw material production in the quarries. In conclusion, the working life of the quarries was determined to be ~31 years, and the most appropriate product blends for cement production were composed.