Alternative fuels and raw materials often arrive at a cement works from an external pretreatment facility. Their efficient use includes the need to convey, store and dose them according to the requirements of the production process. By Beumer Group GmbH & Co KG, Germany.
With energy accounting for around 30 per cent of production costs, the use of fuel alternatives is particularly cost effective for cement producers. Solid alternative fuels consist of whole or shredded scrap tyres, waste wood, or mixtures of plastics, paper, composite materials or textiles. For use as a raw material or as a source of energy at cement plants, pretreatment and quality control measures are often needed to bring these wastes in line with the requirements of the cement production process, both in terms of calorific value and fineness, as well as the quality of the resulting ash which is incorporated into the clinker.
