Desenvolvimento de Modelos de Programação Matemática para o Problema de Mistura de Resíduos no Coprocessamento: Estudo de Caso emumaIndústria Cimenteira

Abstract

The high energy demand of the cement industry makes the adoption of sustainable alternatives essential for reducing the consumption of fossil fuels, among which the coprocessing of waste in clinker kilns stands out. However, the variability in the chemical and thermal characteristics of the waste materials poses significant challenges to defining an adequate mixture composition, which may compromise process stability and product quality. In this context, this work develops and applies mathematical programming models to optimize the composition of waste mixtures in the co-processing sector of a cement plant, considering operational, chemical, and material availability constraints. The approach is based on a case study involving process mapping and analysis, formulation of the optimization model, computational implementation in a spreadsheet environment, and monitoring of results through Statistical Process Control tools. The results indicate a reduction in the variability of the main mixture characteristics, with improved compliance with the established specification limits, particularly for moisture content and lower heating value. Control charts and process capability analyses demonstrate increased stability, predictability, and control of the process after the implementation of the proposed solution, highlighting the potential of integrating mathematical modeling and statistical tools to support decision-making in complex industrial environments.