High-Energy Transformations of Fossil Fuels in the Cement Industry

• Main Authors: Kozłowski, R. (Author), Misztal, K. (Author), Szwed, M. (Author), Żukowski, W. (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI 2023
• Subjects: air pollution; Air pollution; Analytes; Cements; Chemical compositions; Combustion; Energy; Energy dispersive spectroscopy; Energy transformation; Fossil fuels; greenhouse gases; Greenhouse gases; Greenhouses gas; Needles; Pinus sylvestris (L.); Pinus sylvestris L; Scanning electron microscopy; Scanning electrons; scanning microscopy; Scanning microscopy; Scots pine; toxicity
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher

 The energy stored in fossil fuels is released through combustion and is a fundamental process in the production of cement. The negative aspect of this combustion is the emission of greenhouse gases and dust. This paper presents the results of a study conducted within a cement plant in Ożarów (south-eastern Poland). The chemical properties (selected elements) in the needles of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) were determined. The needle surface was scanned using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and was characterised in terms of chemical composition through energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The concentrations of selected analytes in the biennial needles formed the following descending sequence: Fe > Al > Mn > Zn > Cu > Pb > Cr > Ni. SEM/EDS microphotographs showed the presence of particles of varying shape, size and chemical composition indicative of anthropogenic origin. © 2023 by the authors.