Thanks for your reesponse on our cracking problems. We have ordered a new cone and in the mean time we have welded the effected part and have used dye penetration test for finding the magnitude of crack. But what in I am interested is the reasons;thats why such cracks develop, either due to misappropriate operating, startup /shutdown procedures. improper jackingup the mill at the startup time, overdue servicing of trunion etc. Or only due to matelurgical/ casting failure. Furthermore please let me have the diagnoses procedure/test for the above.

Why does false air infiltration from the bottom stage of a preheater tower increase tower temperature, but in top stage decrease the tower temperature. The preheater system is SLC-S supplied by Fuller. We understand this is a common phenomenon for any other system like ILC, SLC or SLC.

The function of the vortex finder is to improve the material separation efficiency in the preheater cyclones. If the vortex finder is not there then separation efficiency and preheater performance will decline. Yes, it will affect the decarbonation degree...some decarbonated material will pass back up the preheater and recarbonate. The biggest effects will be on fuel consumption and kiln output.

I have not observed this phenomenon, however it is perhaps connected with the additional draft that is required to keep the kiln hood under suction when there is inleak in the bottom stage of the preheater. This would cause the thermal energy from the calciner to be drawn up the preheater. Conversely when the inleak is in the cyclones above the calciner then the inleak makes no difference to the draft on the calciner.