Work

Stochastic Techno-Economic and Environmental Optimization of Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) from Cement Plant for Green Brick Production

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: While c arbon capture and utilization (CCU) technology often face economic challenges, CCU via carbon mineralization with solid waste offers a cost-effective solution. In this work, the feasibility of a proposed CCU process that utilizes captured CO 2 from the accelerated weathering of limestone (AWL) process to mineralize cement kiln dust (CKD) to produce a green brick termed CKD-bicarbonate lime brick (CKD-BLB) was evaluated with techno-economic analysis (TEA). The main variable that affects the techno-economic feasibility of the proposed CCU process is the absorber size, as it dictates the amount of captured CO 2 and producible CKD-BLB. This variable also indirectly impacts the environmental aspect, as different absorber sizes contribute to varying degrees of CO 2 avoidable. Thus, this work conducts a multi-objective stochastic optimization to determine the optimal absorber size with consideration of profitability and CO 2 avoidance. It was found that the optimal absorber size of 67.93 m 3 achieved a maximum NPV of $ 3,165.38 million with a desirable CO 2 avoidance of 21,337.41 $${\text{M}\text{T}}_{{\text{C}\text{O}}_{2}}$$ . Although increasing the absorber size to 93.96 m 3 would increase the process’s avoidable CO 2 by 2.87%, the 3.22% drop in its NPV result is a less favorable tradeoff between the two aspects. A sensitive analysis was also conducted, and the results indicate that among CKD-BLB price, electricity cost and water cost, the CKD-BLB price is the most sensitive parameter affecting the NPV of the proposed process. A ± 50% variation in CKD-BLB price leads to more than a 100% shift in NPV, while at a ± 50% variation in electricity and water costs results in less than a 30% change. Overall, the insights generated in this work enable strategic planning for decisions making.

Source: Process Integration and Optimization for Sustainability

DOI: 10.1007/s41660-026-00733-w

Authors: Slyvester Yew Wang Chai, Bing Shen How, Lock Hei Ngu

Institutions: Jinan University, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus

Language: English

Topic: Carbon Dioxide Capture Technologies

Subfield: Mechanical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Climate action, Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,190