To reduce frequent clinker cooler downtime and high clinker temperatures a US cement plant required a new cooler to be installed. As an additional benefit future upgrades would also be easier to carry out. By IKN, Germany.

A cement plant in the USA (see Figure 1) was experiencing frequent clinker cooler downtime and high clinker temperatures, which were causing production issues. In addition, the cooler’s limited potential for future upgrade projects was a concern. At the time, the facility ran a four-stage, double-string preheater and a 5x78m diameter kiln with a design value of 6600stpd. However, the kiln was able to operate at 7200stpd and permits allowed for a capacity of 8500stpd. Therefore, target values for the new cooler project were set at 7900stpd.