WELCOME TO THE TRAINING
ON KILN OPERATION &
OPTIMISATION
Raw mix characteristics
Cement is a substance (often a ceramic) that by a chemical
reaction binds particulates aggregates into a cohesive structure.
( hydraulic binder). The quality of raw material is the main point
in maintaining of quality of cement. The mineral compounds
containing the main components of cement: lime, silica, alumina
and iron oxide are used in cement manufacturing process.
Therefore it is usually necessary to select a measured mixture of a
high lime component with a component which is lower in lime,
containing however more silica, alumina and iron oxide
(clay component). The purpose of calculating the composition
of the raw mix is to determine the quantitative proportions of the
raw components, in order to give the clinker the desired chemical
and mineralogical composition
What is cement ?
quality
Factors influencing the cement quality
1. Mechanical handling of clinker
2. Chemical and mineralogical
composition of raw mix
3. Chemical and mineralogical composition
of clinker
4. Burning process & cooling process
5. Chemical composition of fuels (ash)
6. Circulation phenomena (volatiles)
Process flow sheet
CBA analyzer
CBA analyzer
X ray
analyzer
Cement quality – type of cement
Clinker quality
Fuel chemistry
Raw mix design
OPC, PPC, WC, OWC, SRC,SC
Ordinary portland cement,
Pozalona portland cement
White cement,
Oil well cement,
Sulfate resistant cement,
Slag cement
Other cements for special application
Gpsum&fly ash or
Other additive quality
Physical charateristics
Particle size & shape
particle size distribution
Homogenity
Characteristics of raw meal
Chemical
characterictics
Chemical composition
Mineralogical
Morphology
( crystal size of
minerals &
Cystal distribution)
Up to 1.2
Upto 0.5
Up to 3
0.1 -
0.4
Up to 0.1
SO3
0.01 – 0.1
Cl
Up to 0.3
Up to 0.5
0.1 – 0.3
Upto 0.2
Upto 0.1
Na2O
0.2 – 1.4
Up to 1
0.5 - 5
0.1 - 4
Upto 0.3
K2O
0.3 - 3
Up to 0.5
Up to 5
0.5 -5
0.5 - 5
MgO
40 -45
0.1-3
0.5 – 2.5
5 - 52
52 - 55
CaO
Up to 2
0.5 - 2
2 -15
0.5 -10
0.1 -0.5
Fe2O3
+Mn2O3
2 -5
0.5 - 3
7 -30
1 - 20
0.1 - 1
Al2O3+TiO2
12 -16
80 - 99
37 -78
3 - 50
0.5 - 3
SiO2
32 - 36
Up to 5
%
1 - 20
2 -42
40-44
Ig loss
rawmix
sand
clay
marl
lime stone
Weight loss %
Chemical composition of cement raw materials and mix
Physical characteristics
of Raw meal
Particle size & Particle size distribution
An efficient separator & efifci ent grinding system narrow down
the particle distribution. Wide distri bution means heterogenity in physical
and chemical characteristics of
raw meal.
Optical micrograph and super imposed size analysis
of quality audit standards
Calcite-rhombo
Calcite-cubic
quartzSilica sand
Kaolinite
Minerals in a lime stone
Pure lime stone
only Calcite > 99 % CaCO3
Impure lime stone imbedded
with silicates and other minerals
Lime stone
time
temperature
Impure calcite
pure calcite
heat
CO2
Well developed quarry
In a well developed mine, the mines manager knows where what and how much is
available?
If quality is controlled in mines then the quality variation is minimised to a great
extent through mines blend program through griging or geostatics
Benches (10 M height)
From mines
(input to stacker)
Output of
blending
System& input
To raw mill
time
Std
LSF
Outlet of mill
Influence of efficient mining on quality
Std of LSF =1
SIM=0.2
Std of ,CaO < 0.2
Control on chemistry
Main parameters for raw mix design
Lime saturation factor = CaO / (2.8 SiO2+1.65Al2O3 + 0.65 Fe2O3)
( LSF)
Silica modulus = SiO2 / ( Al2O3+Fe2O3)
Alumina modulus = Al2O3 / Fe2O3
AlM
Here we have apply the formula (as per British Standard)
LSF = CaO-0.7SO
3
(2.8*SiO
2
+ 1.2* Al
2
O
3
+ 0.65*Fe
2
O
3
)
(SIM)
Lime saturation factor on clinker basis
If MgO is below 2 %
LSF = 100( CaO – free CaO+0.75 MgO)
(2.85 SiO2) + ( 1.18 Al2O3) +(0.65 Fe2O3)
If MgO is above 2 %
LSF = 100( CaO – free CaO+1.5 MgO)
(2.85 SiO2) + ( 1.18 Al2O3) +(0.65 Fe2O3)
> 99 –hard to burn, tendency to high free lime & C3S clinker , high early strength
high fuel consumption
< 99 , easy to burn , excess coating , exce ss liquid phase , possible brick infiltration
reduced cement strength , low free lime
acceptable standard deviation = 1.2
Effects :High Ms
Results in hard burning & high fuel consumption.
Causes Unsoundness.
Difficulty in coating formation.
Deteriorates Kiln Lining.
Results in slow setting and hardening of cement
Lower Ms:
Increases liquid phase.
This improves burnability of the clinker and the formation of coating in kiln
Effect of modulie
Effects: Higher LSF
Imparts harder burning & entails higher fuel consumption.
Tends to produce unsound cement.
Increases C3S content, reduces C2S content.
Causes slow setting with high strengths of cement.
Improves the grind ability characteristics of clinker.
Lower LSF:
Low lime contents, lower will be strength
HM= CaO/(SiO2 + Al2O3 + Fe2O3)
Limiting Range:- 1.7-2.3
The Hydraulic Modulus of good quality cements was approximately
2. Cement with HM<1.7 showed mostly insufficient
strength and cement with HM>2.3 and more had poor
stability of volume. It was found that with an increasing
HM, more heat is required for clinker burning.
The strengths, especially initia l strengths step up and also the
heat of hydration rises. Simultaneously the
resistance to chemical attack decreases. At times
the Hydraulic Modulus is still used. Later for
a better evaluation of the cement, the Silica ratio,
Alumina ratio were introduced; to certain degree these
ratios supplement the hydraulic modulus.
Hydraulic modulus
Parameters influencing the burnability:
1. Residue on 212-micron sieve.
2. Residue on 90 micron sieve
3. Size distribution of free silica
4. Degree of homogeneity (both chemical & mineral)
5. Liquid phase of clinkering temperatures.
6. Moisture content of raw meals
Effects: Higher MA
Imparts harder burning & e tails higher fuel
consumption.
Increases the C3A and reduces C4AF contents
Increases both C3S and C2S (C3S>C2S)
Reduces the liquid phase and kiln output
Tends to render quick setting and strong at early ages.
Increases viscosity of liquid phase in raw mix
MA determines the role of Fluxes in raw mix
MA <1.23: - Al2O3 acts as Flux
MA >1.23: - Fe2O3 acts as Flux
Lower MA
If MA is too low and raw mix is without free silica,
clinker sticking and balling is high.
1. Mineralogical Make-up
2. Reactivity and Burnability.
3. Volatility.
4. Optimum fineness & specific surface for effective burning.
6 Level of free quartz , calc ite and its size distribution.
7 Sensitivity of free quartz content & size with KF burnability.
8 Minor elements level (Mg, Na ,K, S, P) & their effect on
kiln feed burn ability and volatility.
Characterization of kiln feed
In homogeneous homogeneous
Kiln feed uniformity index (KFUI)
KFUI= n ( C3S
actual
-C3S
target
)
2
n
i - n
C3S
actual
= the calculated C3S of one instantaneous daily sample of kiln raw mix feed
C3S
Target
= the C3S target established for the mill product
n = number of samples ( calculation of average C3S is done monthly)
Target for KFUI is < 10
( an instantaneous sample is one made up of 5 consecutive increments taken at short intervals)
Homogenising systems
3.1 Variabilitv and standard deviation
The normally accepted method of measuring variability is in the form of a term called
standard deviation. The standard deviation of a property can be calculated by taking a
number of measurements on the property (such as LSF, SR etc.), and applying the
following formula:-
Where X is the measured variable (e.g. LSF)
X is the variable mean (or average)
N is the number of measurements or observations
Table 1 illustrates a worked example using actual kiln feed LSF data:-
Blending ratio = Std in/ Std out , = 1 for an ideal blending system.
σ=
Σ ( X - X )
2
N - 1
Different stacking system
Stacking and reclaiming sytem is selected on the basis of material characteristics like
Moisture , variability in mines, size and size distribution of particles.
Circular stock pile
Reclaiming zone
Stacking zone
Blended zone
Longitudinal stock pile
End cone problem
Well blended slice without end cone
End cone problems
Linear stock pile
Blending ratio = S
in
/ S
out
More variation, high std
Less variation, low std
Blendin
g
silo
“Average” clinker composition
MgO 1.80
SO
3
0.54
K
2
O0.63
Na
2
O0.25
TiO 2
0.27
Mn
2
O
3
0.09
P
2
O
5
0.14
Cl
-
0.01
F
-
0.08
LOI: 0.3 %
CaO 65.4
SiO
2
22.2
Al
2
O
3
5.0
Fe
2
O
3
2.8
∼5 %
∼95 %
Clinkermanufacture
• Calcite –CaCO
3
• Dolomite –
CaMg(CO
3
)
2
•Quartz–SiO
2
•Clay minerals
•Micas
• Feldspars
• Aluminumoxide
• Pyrite
•Iron oxide
• Gypsum/ anhydrite
• Alite
•Belite
•Aluminate
•Ferrite
• Free lime(un wanted)
• Periclase(un wanted)
•Alkali
sulfates(unwanted)
Mineral phases in raw meal
Mineral phases in clinker
Temperature
Pressure
Time
Potential clinker composition
The chemical analysis presents a picture of the composition of
the oxides in the clinker. Ther e are four mineralogical phases
are C
3
S (alite), C
2
S (belite), C
3
A (Aluminate), C
4
AF (Ferrite) in
the clinker which can be derived from chemical analysis
according Bogueformula. Some other minute phases also
exist in clinker C
2
(A,F), Free lime, MgO(periclase)
(Note: C
3
S-gives initial strength, C
2
S-final strength,
C
3
A-setting time, C
4
AF-some setting property & color)
the clinker of Portland cement approximately contains the
following composition.
Microphotograph of clinker
Parameters for good clinker:
<0.5 <1.2 <2.0 <1.5 64-66
%SO
3
%(K2O,
Na2O)
% MgO % Free-
CaO %
T.CaO
?MINEROLOGY:
Alite 45-55%, C
3
A 9-11%, C
4
AF 12%
?Phase Stabilisation:
β/ α/ άonly for belite and not significant for others.
?Average Crystal size: 35-40 micron
?Crystal Morphology:
Alite: prismatic hexagonal
Belite: round
C
3
A: Fine crystals in matrix.
?Crystal Distribution:
Minimum clustering, total porosity: 25-30%
?Litre weight: 1150-1350 g/l
?Granulometry : not more than 15% below 0.5mm
To achieve the goal of smooth kiln operation it is necessary to know
• which parameters in the raw mix influence kiln operation
• How and why they influence operation
• What can be done about it
Three concepts in the reation between raw meal characteristics and
Kiln operation is treated , namely.
• the burnability of raw mix
• the clinker formation treated as a physical agglomeration process and
•The circulation phenomenon of volatile matter in a kiln system
Required burning zone temperature
RBT = 1300
O
F+4.51C3S – (3.74C3A +12.64 C4AF )
Clinker liquid phase ( % L.P)
At 1340
O
C ,( AR< 1.38 ) L.P = 8.2 A – 5.22 F + M + K + N +S
At 1340
o
C , (AR > 1.38) L.P = 6.1 F + M + N +K + S
At 1400
o
C, L.P = 2.95 A+2.20 F+M+N+K+S
At 1450
O
C L.P = 3.0 A +2.25 F+M+N+K+S
Potential free lime ( PFL) PFL = ( 6.77+(0.05C3S))-((0.15C3A)+(0.56C4AF)
To make a good clinker the liquid content must be optimum
and with right viscosity.
1 1.5 2 2.5 3
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
Variation in % liquid phase at 1338 deg c
With change in Silica ratio and alumina ratio at 100 % LSF
40% 35% 30 % 25 % 20%
Silica ratio S/ ( A+F)
Alumina ratio A/F
15 %
15 %
Influence of minor components on liquid properties
Can either increase or decrease both liquid viscosity
and surface tension depending upon the
electronegativity of the ions and alumina ratio .
Trace metals
Lowers the liquid viscosity
Cl, F
Behaves similarly to Fe2O3 in increasing the level of
flux and reducing its viscosity
Mn2O3
Forms a separate liquid to the main oxide flux at around 1250 deg c . At higher temperatures it is partially
miscible and results in both a higher viscosity and
higher surface tension. Overall effect is to accelerate
the formation nodules at a lower temperature but restrict
their growth resulting in dustier clinker.
K2O , Na2O
and SO3
Can increase the liquid phase present at burning zone temperature
MgO
Influence on liquid formation
Minor
components
Raw material particles
Before the reaction
Raw material particles
during the reaction
Schematic illustration
Of clinker at 1400 deg C
Active layer
Passive layer
Free board
Radial cross section of rotary kiln
Higher the rpm more the area of active layer which reduces
free lime due to intense stirring there by improving
better heat exchange.It also improves nodulisation.
Lower rpm , high % filling , less active
Layer , high free lime, high radiation
losses
high rpm , low % filling , more active
Layer , low free lime and low radiation
losses
Influence of revolutions / minute on kiln operation
Optimum % filling = 9 – 11 with raw meal retention time of 20 -25 minutes
unfavorable
favorable
Influence of revolutions / minute on kiln operation
unfavorable
favorable
High degee of filling brings the surface of the charge closer to the flame
envelope. In this case there is a chance of chars trapped inside the charge causing
localised reduced conditions and increases volatile cycle.
Sequence of chemical reactions in cement rotary kiln,
temperature and energy input
Properties of the liquid phase Temperature has the most
pronounced effect on liquid-phase viscosity. Increasing the
burning temperature by 93degrees C (199degrees F), reduces
liquid viscosity by 70% for a regular Type 1 clinker. This simple fact
explains why hotter-than-normal temperatures are beneficial
to clinkering yet potentially harmful to the refractory
lining, as shown in Photo 1.MgO, alkali sulphates, fluorides,
and chlorides also reduce liquid -phase viscosity. Extreme caution
should be exerted when insufflating calcium chloride into the burning
zone as a way to reduce alkali in the clinker. The injection
of sodium carbonate into the burning zone also is detrimental
to the refractory lining.Free a lkali and phosphorus increase
liquid-phase viscosity, but this effe ct is offset by MgO and SO3. Only
Clinkers with sulphate-alkali ratio lower than 0.83 and low MgO would
experience the negative effects of high liquid viscosity.
Properties of liquid
The liquid-phase viscosity increases li nearly with the alumina-iron ratio.
For a given burning temperature, high C3A clinkers tend to nodulize
better than low C3A clinkers. Moreover, the liquid phase is considerably
less damaging to the refractory li ning when the liquid is viscous.
Another important property of the liquid phase is its surface tension, or its
ability to "wet" the li ning. The surface tension has a direct impact
on clinker fineness, coating adherenc e to the lining and clinker quality.
High surface tension values favor nodule formation and liquid penetration through
the nodules. The resulting clinker contains less dust
(fraction below 32 mesh) and lower free lime content. A liquid phase
with high surface tension has less te ndency to wet the brick surface,
therefore reducing clinker coatability or adherence to the lining.
Alkali, MgO, and SO3 reduce liquid surfac e tension, as does temperature. Sulphur
and potassium have the strongest effects, followed by sodium
and magnesium. Therefore, MgO, SO3, and K2O are good coating promoters.
Conclusions Although the amount of liquid phase in the burning and transition zones of the kiln
is important to clinker format ion and brick performance, the
rheological properties of the melt are even more important.
The rheological properties of the clinker melt control parameters,
such as clinker mineral formation, c linker coatability, clinker fineness,
cement strength, and refractory depth of infiltration.
It is then very important to keep fuel and raw materials properties and flame
temperature as steady as possible. Whenever introducing
drastic changes in raw material or fuel properties, the
refractory lining must be changed accordingly to meet the differences
in clinker coatability and burnability. This proves particularly true
when adding slags, kiln dust, or solid wastes to the kiln.
Milestones in clinker formation (2)
• Belite formation (700 – 1200 °C)
–2 CaO+ SiO
2
?Ca
2
SiO
4
– Solid state reaction
– Reaction rate depends on contact surface between reactants
(diffusion of Ca
2+
)
MarlLimestone, sand
SiO
2
CaO
Fast Slow
Raw material
Reaction rate
Raw meal fineness: 15 % R90&1.5% R212 Ratio of 90 µ / 212µ = 8 −9 must never be distributed
Milestones in clinker formation (3)
• Alite formation (1250 – 1450 °C)
–Ca
2
SiO
4
+ CaO?Ca
3
SiO
4
– Reaction rate depending on:
• Quantity and viscosity of the melt
• Diffusion distance between the reactants
• Formation of liquid phase (1250 °C)
– Pure system Al
2
O
3
– CaO eutectic point at 1338 °C
– In clinker system other elements (e.g. MgO, Na
2
O) 1250 °C
Milestones in clinker formation (3)
• Alite formation (1250 – 1450 °C)
–Ca
2
SiO
4
+ CaO?Ca
3
SiO
4
– Reaction rate depending on:
• Quantity and viscosity of the melt
• Diffusion distance between the reactants
• Formation of liquid phase (1250 °C)
– Pure system Al
2
O
3
– CaO eutectic point at 1338 °C
– In clinker system other elements (e.g. MgO, Na
2
O) 1250 °C
Relevanceof theliquid phase
• Significance for
– Clinker granulation
– Coating (but also formation of rings)
– Rate of alite formation
• Typical amount 20 –30 %
–Dry:≤23 %
– Normal: 23 – 27 %
–Wet≥27%
• Viscosity:
– Decreases with increasing temperature
– Depending on composition and minor elements
• Reduced by Na
2
O, CaO, MgO, Fe
2
O
3
, MnO
• Increased by SiO
2
, Al
2
O
3
What is free lime ?
Have you seen a clinker with 0 % free lime ?
Free lime exists ,Is it because mis match of stoichiometry ?
Or is it because of unreacted calcite ?
Is it possible to reduce the free li me by increasing the liquid % ?
Or by reducing the LSF ?
Is it possible to reduce the free li me by overburning or heating the kiln
beyond the reaction temperature ?
temperature
O
C
1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600
Liter wei
g
ht
,
g
ms
/
liter
1700
1600
1500
1400
1300
0.5 %
1
1.5
2
2.5
Free lime
γ
C3S formation
How to determine what constitutes a coarse grain?
The following particle sizes have been found critical for residual free lime
Quartz and silicates : + 45 microns
Calcite : + 125 microns
It has been found that at 1400 deg C an increase in the amount of coarse
Particles results in the following increase in free lime
+ 1 % quartz + 45 microns leads to + 0.93 % free lime
+ 1 % Calcite + 125 microns leads to + 0.56% free CaO
The following formula may be used for estimating the free CaO at 1400 Deg C
CaO
1400
0
C
= 0.33.( LSF – 95)+1.8.(Ms -2) + 0.93.SiO2(+45 mic) +0.56.caCO3(+125 mic)
• increased water demand
• decreased early strength and
increased
• admixture incompatibility later
strength during periods where
alkalis
• abnormalities in setting
behavior are decreasing
• pack set due to static charge
(large alites)
• possible erratic
expansion
results due to
free lime
Cement
Performance
Possible
Effects:
• decrease in free lime
• low porosity, difficult grindability
• large alite
• possible poor nodulization
• variation in alkali sulfate
content
• kiln on the hot side
• increase in alkalis and sulfate in
kiln internal cycle, possible
surges, potential for buildups
• low porosity makes it hard to
cool
• lower clinker reactivity
• color differences, brown clinker
center
• large variations
in free lime
• poor belite
distribution
Clinker/Kiln
Operation
Possible
Effects:
AFTER — burning harder BEFORE
• less variability, more
uniformity
• smaller alite crystals,
enhanced reactivity,
possibly allowing lower
cement fineness.
• possible
erratic
expansion
results due to
free lime
Cement
Performan
ce
Potential
Effects:
• good distribution of free
lime
• good distribution of belite
• better clinker uniformity
• kiln is easier to control
• poor
distribution of
free lime and
belite
Clinker
Potential
Effects:
After — burning harder Before
Burnability index = C3 S/ ( C3A + C4AF)
15
20
30
13001400 1500 Deg C
% liquid
Formation and size of nodules and formation of C3S at various temperatures both
as a function of time.
Dmm
T1 T2T3
T1> T2> T3
Amount of C3S
time
D max
time
Behaviour of volatiles
• Chloride reacts primarily with alkalis forming NaCl and KCl . Any chloride in
In excess of alkali will combin e with calcium to form CaCl2.
• A part of the alkalis in excess of chloride combine with sulphur to form
Na2SO4, K2SO4 and double salts such as Ca2K2(SO4)2
• Alkalis not combined with chloride or sulphur will be present as Na2O and
K2O embedded in the clinker minerals
• Sulphur in excess of alklis combine with CaO to form CaSO4
Kiln process
Volatile matter
Burning zone
Back end etc
R
ε
d
b
c
Ka
V
e
1.Evaporation factor
ε
= d/b = (b-c) / b = 1- c/b
2.Valve
V = e / d = (a-c) / ( b-c)
3.Circulation factor
K = b / a
4 .Residual component
R = c / a
Evoporation
n
factor = 1 - % within clinker
% at kiln inlet ( LOI free basis)
ε
=
1 means all evoporates and nothing leaves with the clinker
ε= 0 means nothing evaporates and all leave with the clinker
Average evaporation factors of various compounds
0.80
0 -0.20
0 – 0.10
0 – 0.15
0 – 0.10
0 –
0.10
Filter value
0.42
0.05 – 0.25
0.05
0.05 – 0.2
0.15
0.05
Pre heater value
0.75
0.30 – 0.90
0.990 – 0.996
0.10 – 0.25
0.10 – 0.40
0.990 - 0.996
Evaporatio n factor
Excess SO3
Alkali SO3
Cl
Na2O
Cl-free K2O
KCl
Melting points and boiling points
1390
328
1320
360
- hdroxide
1440
801
1411
768
- chloride
-
884
1689
1074
- sulphate
Decomp.
850
Decomp.
894
- carbonate
1275
sublime
350
Decomp.
-oxide
Boiling point
(
O
C)
Melting point (
O
C)
Boiling point (
O
C)
Melting point
(
O
C)
compound
K
Na
ASR – Alkali-Sulfur ratio
SO3
Alk
optimum
SO3 80
K2O 94
+0.5 .
Na2O
62
= 1.1
=
The sulphur and alkalis is the total input. If ratio exceeds 1.1 it is held that an
amount of sulphur is present in the kiln material which is not covered b alkalis
and as
excess sulphur will form CaSO4.
The amount of excess sulfur ( E.S) is expressed in grams SO3 per 100 Kgs
And calculated according to the equation
E.S = 1000 .SO3 – 850 .K2O – 650 . Na2O ( gr SO3/ 100 kg clinker) The limit on excess sulfur is given to be in the range of 250 – 600 g / 100 Kg clinker For easy burning raw mix the high value 600 gram SO3 / 100 kg clinker should
Present no problems for the kiln opeartio n , but for hard burning raw mix the lower
Value is the limit. Above these limits , the sulphur will give rise to coating problems
In the pre heater tower.
The amount of excess sulphur ( E.S) is expressed in grams per 100 Kg clinker
And calculated according to the equation
E.S = 1000.SO3 - 850.K2O – 650 .Na2O ( gr SO3/ 100 Kg clinker)
The limit on excess sulphur is given to be in the range of 250 – 600 g / 100 Kg clinker
-1
-1
-1
-1
Vo
4-stages kiln
0.6
0.85
0.85
0.7
Vo
2-stages kiln
0.35
0.8
0.8
0.55
Vo
1-stage kiln
0.4
0.6
0.5
0.2
Vo
Long dry kiln
0.4
0.6
0.6
0.4
Vo
-Wet dust –op-kiln
0.6
0.7
0.7
0.5
Vo
Wet module-op-kiln Kiln Value
0.35 – 0.80
0.990-
0.996
0.10 - 0.25
0.20 - 0.4
ε
Evaporation factor
SO3
Cl
Na2O
K2O
symp ol
Volatile Matter typical values for
ε
and V
0.5- 0.8
0.3
0.7
0.4
Elec precipitator
value
-1
-1
-1
-1
Cooling tower value
0.3
0.7
0.8
0.6
Vt
Raw mill value
0.55
0.5
0.7
0.6
Vkt
Dedusting cyclone
Value
0.15-0.5
0.05
0.4
0.15
Vm
-4 stages
0.3
0.2
0.45
0.2
Vc
-2 stages
0.45
0.35
0.5
0.5
Vc
-1 stage
Vc
Cyclone preheater value
-1
-1
-1
-1
Precalciner kiln
SO3
Cl
Na2O
K2O
sympol
Hard-burnt clinker limits the early strength
potential and promotes the late strength
potential.
This clinker does not need microscopy to
state a very hard burning regime, a bad
grindability and a modest early strength
potential. The clinker had been sent to be
investigated because of client complaints
about long setting times: Initial setting
time 200 min, final setting time 450 min.
How to assess and understand burnability (cont.)
• Characteristics considered to influence burnability:
– Chemical composition
LS
SR (quantity of liquid phase)
AR (viscosity of liquid phase)
Other influences: F, P
2
O
5
, MgO, SO
3
, alkalis
– Micro-homogeneity
Size and distribution of minerals in kiln feed
– Mineralogical composition
Clay Mica Feldspar Quartz “refractory” minerals
(mullite, corundum)
Easy to
react
difficult to
react
C4AF
C3S
C2S
Mgo
CaO
C3A
Pictoral representation
Of clinker micrograph
• Microscopic
A mixture of different mineral phases
Particle size ≈0 – 100 µm
• Macroscopic
A gray, granulated, rocky material
Grain size ≈0 – 50 mm
What is portland cement clinker
Uniform Nodule Sizes
Rather uniform-sized nodules are ingeneral an
advantage regarding burning efforts and uniform
degree of burning.
Quickly cooled clinkers are favourable for the early strength potential; no
alite is lost. The fine crystalline liquid phase prevents aluminate from an early
hydration. The influence of aluminate on the setting time is limited in quickly
cooled clinker.
Dusty Clinker
Elevated amount of clinker fines are especially common in high LS or
high SR clinkers. A low AR and high S content can also contribute to
clinker fines. These fines are a heat carrier in the kiln atmosphere and
contribute to a flat temperature profile.
The setting time is in tendency shor tened by elevated amounts of coarse
crystalline aluminate and extended by high burning efforts; compensating
influences are possible. Decomposition effects due to slow cooling impair both
early and late strength potential.
Dusty clinker impairs the clinker grindability in tube mills
above Blaine values of > 2000.
Increasing free lime contents ( ) which are still below the expansion
risk level lead to shortened setting times, to slightly elevated early
strength potentials and to a decreas e of the late strength potential.
Free lime contents above 2% can create an expansion risk in concrete. Here we see crack
formations due to free lime hydration which are filled with portlandite. The volume increase
which accompanies the density change from 3.33 g/ccm of lime to 2.41g/ccm of portlandite
is visible.
Clinker Granulometry
The clinker portion < 1mm is in general taken as an indicator of the dust load in
the burning process. Large kilns are more likely to have dusty clinkers. High-
grade corrective components or in general corrective components that are
difficult to grind or homogenize tend to contribute to elevated amounts of clinker
fines.
Graph: Stefan Gross
Clinker granulometry
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
0.0 0.1 1.0 10.0 100.0
sieve size / mm
passing / %
dust only fine, dusty normal, some dust coarse, no dust very coarse, no dust
Reactionsduringclinkercooling
• Resorption of alite
– Liquid phase + C
3
S ⌫C
2
S + C
3
A + C
2
(A,F)
• Decomposition of alite
– veryslowcooling
– reducing conditions
–C
3
S ⌫C
2
S + CaO
• Crystallization of liquid phase
– Slow cooling: large crystals – improved reactivity
Cooling
Once the formation of the
C
3
S is complete,
there is no further value in
prolonging the process at
this elevated temperature.
This final process is called
cooling, not just to reduce
the temperature, but to
freeze the crystal growth
and to convert the liquid
phase back to a solid for
easier transport.
At this point, C
3
A and C
4
AF
cool to form solids.
The objective now is to halt
further growth of
the C
3
S crystals
and to trap any
dis-solved MgO
present in the
amorphous
stage.
alit
e
alit
e
belite
belite
aluminat
e
aluminat
e
ferrit
e
ferrite
Influence of cooling on clinker phases
Fast cooling
Well distributed
small crystals
Slow cooling
Larger crystals
C3S
Clinker when it is quenched in cool er it creates micro cracks which
needs less energy for comminution during grinding.
C3S
Clinker cooling
C2S
How fast must clinker be cooled ?
Clinker cooling takes place in two stages, the first
cooling stage occurring within the kiln, th e second in the clinker cooler.
The rate of cooling within the kiln depends upon the flame length, the position
in the kiln and the thro ughput and speed of the kiln charge. The temperature
of clinker at the outlet of the kiln is around between 1350
o
C and 1200
o
C.
If the flame is long, this part of the cooling process will be very slow and alite
and belite can grow into an excessive crystal size. In some cases,
(when the cooler efficiency is low) alite
partially decomposes into belit e and free lime (see fig. 1).
Fig.1: Alite decomposition into
belite and free lime. 250 X
The texture of the solidified liquid phas e is quite dependent on the cooling
rate. During slow cooling, the crysta ls have time to grow. Ferrite and
aluminate form a coarsely grained matrix (see fig. 2). Alternatively, if the
cooling process proceeds quickly, the oppo site is true - the crystals are fine
grained (see fig. 3).
Fig.2: Differentiated aluminat e (grey) and ferrite (white)
caused by slow cooling. 640 X Fig.3: Finely grained aluminate
and ferrite duCooling can also proceed so quickly that the crystals can
only form in the submicroscopic range. Distinctio n between aluminate and
ferrite is no longer possible by microscopy but can be effected by X-ray
methods.
Why raw meals must be homogeneous?
If the raw meal is homogeneous enough, units of varying sizes will exist
which do not have the required chemical composition. It can be easily
deduced from the phase diagram for the system CaO - Al2O3 - Fe2O3 -
SiO2 the
phase compositions which can coexist assuming different volumes to have
different chemical composition. In figure A the different phase
assemblages in the system CaO - Al
2
O
3
-SiO
2
can be seen.
Minor components have major influence on
burnabilityand cement properties. Many of
them act as fluxes and mineralisersin
burning. They change the course of the
reaction , morphology of the clinker and
cement properties.
Mineraliser accelerates the C3S formation , increases rate of
conversion from C2S to C3S
Mineralisers
Influence of minor components on the burnability of rawmeal , process and
Quality of cement
Setting retarder
Contardictary
results on strength
In adm amount
C3S
0.2 -0.4 % good
burbality
If it is > 0.5 % coating
in preheater
0.2 – 0.6
TiO2
Setting accelerated
Early strength up
Final strength down
In adm amount
C3S
C2S
C3A
0.2 – 0.4 % good
burnability.If it is >1%
coating in preheater
0.1 – 0.5 %
0.4 – 1.2 %
volatile
Na2O,
K2O
Early strength
remarkably up if <
0.5%
Early and late
strength down if >
0.5%
C3S
0.1 – 0.3
Max=0.5. If more
than 0.5% coating in
preheater
0.1 – 0.34 % volatile
P2O5
Alkali
sulfate is
easily
formed
Setting accelearted
Early strength up
Late strength down
C3S
C2S
C3A
Less the better
Max limit < 0.5 %
If it is > 0.5 % coating
in preheater & kiln
0.2 – 0.9 % volatile
SO3
Periclase
causes
expansion
early sterngth up if
< 2.0%
late strength down
if > 2.0
C3S if it is less
than 2.0%
1 – 1.5 % good
burability
good grindability
max limit -2.0%
0.8 – 2.5 , non -volatile
MgO
Influence on quality
of cement, strength
Early late
Influence on
hydraulic
reactivity
Influence on
manufacturing
process
Content volatile/nonvolatile
element
Initial strength up
Final strength down
C3S
Max = 2%. If >2 %
coating in preheater
Burning improved
F
Early strength up Late strength down
C3S C2S
BaO reacts with Silica
earlier than Cao.
Hence free lime
increases
900 ppm
SrO,
BaO
Cemen
t color
change
to
green
0r blue
Initial strength –up
Final strength - down
C3S C2S
C3A
C4AF
Good burability as it
is flux
Mn
Accelerate setting
Initial strength up
Late strength
undefinite
C3A
If >100 ppm coating in preheater.Good
burnability
50 – 80 ppm
Cl
Influence on quality of cement
Influence on hydraulic
reactivity
Influence on
manufacturing
process
Content
volatile/nonvolatile
element
Thank you for your
kind attention
K.P.Pradeepkumar