Decarbonising the lime industry: State-of-the-art

The thermal treatment of limestone (mainly CaCO3) to produce lime (CaO) is a major contributor CO2 emissions and the literature on decarbonising industry scarce. Subsequent hydration would lead synthesis slaked/hydrated Ca(OH)2; production tonne Ca(OH)2 emits ?1.2 tonnes arising mainly from process chemistry fossil fuel combustion. Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) technologies are currently believed have highest potential mitigate these emissions, assuming that calcination CaCO3 unavoidable. Despite intensive research efforts development, CCS cannot be industrially applied yet due their limited efficiency associated capital operational costs. In this review, current state its processing configurations visualised. This followed by detailed description status relevant (including avoidance costs) eco-efficient alternative fuels. work then gives voice two novel potentially more sustainable decarbonisation routes do not involve CaCO3, one which involves simultaneous mineralisation leading permanent storage CO2. These particularly interesting especially if high temperature kilns, as we know them, phased out meet climate goals. It revealed energy shift green electricity might no-carbon subsequent carbon neutrality (or negativity) other hard-to-abate sectors.