Holcim is currently erecting the world largest single kiln. The pyroprocessing system with new generation clinker cooler and in-line preheater with low NOx and CO calciner will have the ability to produce 12,000tpd of clinker. This greenfield plant is being built by Holcim (US), Inc along the Mississippi River in Ste Genevieve County, Missouri and due to be completed in 2009.

After a thorough market analysis Holcim decided to order Powitec Systems:
– one PiT Indicator Thermography for the kiln
– one PiT Indicator Video for the kiln
– two PiT Indicator Video for the cooler.

The PiT Indicator thermography is an intelligent thermography system. With digital image processing, patented “electronic dust filter” and dynamic RGB-Thermography it shows a much sharper and detailed picture than a conventional pyrometric camera. Characteristic and dynamic behavior of the flame is visualised by Polylines, delivering precise information about flame, flame shape, clinker
bed and coating. This essential information supports the process analysis and process control of clinker production.
 
The Holcim (US) Inc Ste Genevieve plant also decided to test the PiT Predictor. This soft sensor uses self-learning adaptive software and information from the thermography. It is based on highly sophisticated neural net technology and predicts essential process parameters like free lime content online, allowing the operator to react in time before having laboratory values.

Powitec’s unique approach is to use the most important information from the sintering process:
flame information.
Advertisement