Energy and Environmental Assessment of Cogeneration in Ceramic Tiles Industry

Ceramic tile manufacturing is a highly energy-intensive process. Concerns about carbon emissions and energy costs make management crucial for this sector, which holds leading role in Italian industry. The paper discusses the energetic environmental performance of cogeneration (CHP) ceramic industry, where prime mover exhaust heat supplied to spray-dryer system, contributing satisfaction thermal demand decreasing natural gas consumption. A thermodynamic model dryer unit, validated against real data, has been set-up provide detailed representation fluxes involved Then, integration with two types CHP movers similar electric size (4 MW) investigated. Energetic results show that turbine can contribute up 81% consumption, whilst internal combustion engine contribution limited 26%. methodology was ad-hoc defined assessment CHP, accounting global (CO2) local (CO NOX) emissions. Results confirm units guarantee reduction CO2 NOX compared separate generation, maximum values equal 81 g/kWhth 173 mg/kWhth, respectively; CO emission decreased only case operation, savings 185 mg/kWhth.