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Water Use Efficiency Assessment of Cement Production Based on Life Cycle Analysis

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  • Jialin Liu

    (China National Institute of Standardization, Beijing 100191, China
    Key Laboratory of Energy Efficiency, Water Efficiency and Greenization for State Market Regulation, Beijing 102200, China)

  • Xue Bai

    (China National Institute of Standardization, Beijing 100191, China
    Key Laboratory of Energy Efficiency, Water Efficiency and Greenization for State Market Regulation, Beijing 102200, China)

  • Lingsi Kong

    (China National Institute of Standardization, Beijing 100191, China
    Key Laboratory of Energy Efficiency, Water Efficiency and Greenization for State Market Regulation, Beijing 102200, China)

  • Yan Bai

    (China National Institute of Standardization, Beijing 100191, China
    Key Laboratory of Energy Efficiency, Water Efficiency and Greenization for State Market Regulation, Beijing 102200, China)

Abstract

In the context of increasing water scarcity, improving industrial water efficiency and resource management has become an urgent need, particularly in water-intensive sectors such as the cement industry. Based on the Water Life Cycle Assessment (WLCA) framework, in this study, a comprehensive assessment of water use, consumption, reuse, and wastewater discharge during cement production was conducted, and paths were proposed for improving water efficiency. Unlike traditional water footprint assessments, which primarily focus on measuring water consumption, the WLCA integrates a holistic analysis of the operational status of water systems. The research results show that for cement production in the Yellow River Basin, the waste heat power generation system accounts for the highest proportion of water consumption (65%), with its circulating cooling unit functioning as the core water-related subsystem. A large quantity of daily circulating cooling wastewater can be reused in production after treatment. Significant differences exist in unit product water consumption among enterprise types: clinker and cement production enterprises (0.18–0.30 m 3 /t) have higher water consumption than cement grinding stations (0.02–0.05 m 3 /t), and some enterprises hold considerable water-saving potential. Wastewater recovery and treatment technologies can markedly reduce water wastage. Meanwhile, waste heat recovery technologies improve energy utilization efficiency and indirectly lower water cooling demand. Additionally, waste co-processing technologies reduce virtual water consumption by replacing part of the coal used in cement production. This research provides practical technical solutions for water conservation and resource optimization in the cement industry, facilitating improvements in water efficiency management.

Suggested Citation

  • Jialin Liu & Xue Bai & Lingsi Kong & Yan Bai, 2025. "Water Use Efficiency Assessment of Cement Production Based on Life Cycle Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:18:p:8225-:d:1748449
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Safwat Hemidat & Motasem Saidan & Salam Al-Zu’bi & Mahmoud Irshidat & Abdallah Nassour & Michael Nelles, 2019. "Potential Utilization of RDF as an Alternative Fuel to be Used in Cement Industry in Jordan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-23, October.
    2. Marenco-Porto, Carlos A. & Fierro, José J. & Nieto-Londoño, César & Lopera, Leonardo & Escudero-Atehortua, Ana & Giraldo, Mauricio & Jouhara, Hussam, 2023. "Potential savings in the cement industry using waste heat recovery technologies," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).
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