Energy Consumption on Pozzolana Production: A Case Study of Pozzolana Production Pilot Plant, NBRRI, Ota

Abstract

Concrete is considered the most used construction material due to its versatility. Though cost and environmental concerns associated with the production of its major constituent (cement) have led to research into alternatives and admixtures. The Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) in its attempt to improve housing delivery in a sustainable and affordable manner has built and successfully lest run a pilot plant located at Ota, Ogun State, South West, Nigeria for the production of Pozzolana Portland Cement (PPC) as a partial replacement to the Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). The aim of setting up the pilot plant is to demonstrate the production of pozzolana which will partially replace OPC in the course of buildings, to reduce cost and enhance sustainability levels in the built environment. This present study presents the electrical energy requirement for producing PPC in Nigeria. Electrical energy consumed during test running of the plant was used to establish the energy requirement for the different operations in the production process. The total electrical energy required per tonnage production of PPC was estimated to be 65.282kWh. The percentages of electrical energy utilized for each operation were: 21.94%, 1.44%, 0.32%, 2.45%, 30.20%, 37.78%, and 5%, for palm kernel grinding, clay crushing. nodulizing. nodules conveying into the kiln. blowing, ball milling and metering/bagging respectively: This with other costs of production will enable entrepreneurs that are willing to invest in the area of PPC in Nigeria to establish the unit price of the commodity and determine the break-even point in the business. This report will also give a guide to the appropriate energy back up capacity to run the plant.