Energy efficiency and environmental pollution of brickmaking in China

This paper examines the technologies, energy use and environmental pollution of brickmaking in China. Chinaʹs brick industry is characterized by its enormous size and large number of small producers with outdated technologies. More than 90% of the bricks are fired in annular kilns with coal as the predominant fuel, resulting in substantial SO2, CO2 and other air emissions. Based on available energy coefficients and emission factors, coal use for brickmaking and associated SO2 and CO2 emissions are estimated. Government policies and options for energy-efficiency improvements in brickmaking are also discussed.