Assessment of the causes of blockages in the preheater cement kilns

Abstract

The study shows that as material flows down the preheater (in the production of cement from limestone) to towards the kiln burning zone, alkalis, sulphur and chlorides volatilize due to the high temperatures and are carried back with combustion gases in the kiln to the cooler parts of the preheater where they condense resulting into build ups which could result into blockage of the preheater cyclone restricting material flow thus reducing production rate.