Extraction and hydration of calcined raw meal for use in controlling sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions

The Cement Plant has implemented technology to hydrate calcined raw meal to create a sustainable absorbent material for control of Sulfur Dioxide (SO;) emission in order to reduce the need for costly purchased hydrated lime. With this method calcined raw meal is extracted from the calciner outlet, a portion of the Calcium Oxide (CaO) in this material is reacted with water to create hydrated lime (Ca(OH);) which is able to absorb SO₂ emissions from the tower when mixed with the preheater feed. The conventional method of using a high purity purchased hydrated lime, comes at a high operational cost. As the hydrated lime is created simultaneously while in operation with the Lime Hydrator technology, costs associated with supply, transport and storage of purchased hydrated lime are eliminated. This paper will provide an overview of the process and installation as well as discuss the results of the lime hydrator project at the cement plant.