Analysis of the specific consumption of energy and of carbon specific emissions of the mexican Iron and steel industry; Analisis del consumo especifico de energia y de las emisiones especificas de carbono de la industria siderurgica mexicana

From 1970 to 1995, the specific consumption of energy of the Mexican iron and steel industry diminished in 16.2%, and the specific carbon emissions in 21.8%. In order to analyze the factors that favored these diminutions, the specific energy consumption in structural changes and improvements in energy efficiency were segregated; whereas the specific carbon emissions were segregated in structural changes, improvements of energy efficiency, changes in the factors of carbon emissions and in the fuel mixture in the iron and steel industry as well as in the electricity generation. It was observed that the diminution in the specific consumption as well as in the specific carbon emissions were mainly due to technological improvements in the manufacture of the steel: the complete substitution of the open hearth furnaces and a comprehensive penetration of the continuous casting. In spite of these improvements in energy efficiency and to the gradual substitution of coke by natural gas when increasing the production of iron by direct reduction. Though, the emission factor of the electricity was increased due to a greater participation of the fossil plants in 1995 in comparison with 1970. The indicators of energy efficiency of this industry with other countries were compared taking into account their own structure. Finally recommendations are made of measures for energy saving. [Spanish] De 1970 a 1995, el consumo especifico de energia de la industria siderurgica mexicana disminuyo en un 16.2%, y las emisiones especificas de carbono en un 21.8%. Para analizar los factores que favorecieron dichas disminuciones, se desagrego el consumo especifico de energia en cambios estructurales y en mejoras de eficiencia energetica; mientras que las emisiones especificas de carbono se desagregaron en cambios estructurales, mejoras de eficiencia energetica, cambios en los factores de emision de carbono y en la mezcla de combustibles tanto de la industria siderurgica como en la generacion de electricidad. Se observo que las disminuciones tanto en el consumo especifico de energia como en las emisiones especificas de carbono se debieron principalmente a mejoras tecnologicas en la fabricacion del acero: la sustitucion completa de los hornos de hogar abierto y una amplia penetracion de la colada continua. A pesar de estas mejoras en le eficiencia energetica y a la paulatina sustitucion del coque por gas natural al aumentar la produccion de hierro de reduccion directa. Sin embargo, el factor de emision de la electricidad se incremento debido a una mayor participacion de las plantas termoelectricas en 1995 en comparacion a 1970. Se compararon los indicadores de eficiencia energetica de esta industria con otros paises tomando en cuenta su propia estructura. Finalmente se hacen recomendaciones de medidas de ahorro de energia.