The new business area AFR systems enables the use of alternative fuels in cement and lime plants
The manufacturing of cement is particularly energy intensive. To reduce the consumption of expensive primary fuels such as coal and oil, cement plant operators are increasingly opting for so-called alternative fuels and raw materials (AFR). Generally, the focus is placed on alternative fuels. To ensure that their use has no negative impact on the manufacturing process, the cement end product and the emissions, the non-reusable high calorific waste, for example scrap plastics and packaging residues, paper, composite materials and textiles, must previously be prepared in such a way that they are suitable for use in the kiln. To ensure that customers are able to efficiently convey, store and dose the prepared fuel, the Beumer Group has established the new business area AFR systems.
In addition to mineral wastes that can be employed as alternative raw materials, the market focuses on alternative fuels. In addition to liquid alternative fuels, such as waste oil or solvents, solid fuel is largely derived from whole or shredded used tyres, waste wood or mixtures of plastics, paper, composite materials and textiles. Once these have been prepared and monitored for consistently high quality, they possess a similar calorific value to lignite. The calorific value of waste tyres is even comparable to that of mineral coal. However, in the cement manufacturing process it also has to...