Solid waste fuel and additive handling for cement production

This paper discusses solutions for handling not only the known difficult raw materials and waste derived fuels for cement processing, but more importantly concepts that would allow for future unknown characteristics of WDF and other additives to be handled, specifically for the cement industry. A cement plant requires systems that can handle all possible fuels and additives and those yet to be conceived. Only in this way can a cement plant take full advantage of the available and ever-changing materials market and minimize fuel cost, maximize production and reduce specific emissions via available raw material sources. But how? To achieve this goal, equipment like the "miracle storage feeder" find their specific application due to their virtually unlimited flexibility and ability to handle a very wide range of materials. This concept actually allows production managers to change additive and fuel materials, without the high cost and time delays of modifying mechanical handling equipment. The key is to match the "miracle storage feeder" with the correct accompanying equipment to complete the material handling system to achieve the desired overall conveying and feed/weigh control required for the cement processes. The paper include reference tables of most known WDF, carbon fuels and additives in use or being considered by the cement industry. Other tables will allow quick references of which conveying or weigh device maybe applied, and more importantly which should not. Examples and data from existing installations and experience were outlined as well as ideas and concepts for future potential systems that can save installation costs and eliminate many of the material handling problems with such materials.