OPTIMISATION OF THE ROTARY KILN

(Work done at SESHASAYEE PAPER AND BOARD LIMITED, ERODE.)

PROJECT REPORT

SUBMITTED BY
BALAJI.A
BALAMURASU.R
SAMPATHKUMAR.G
AYYAPAN.S
SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT FOR THE AWARD OF THE
DEGREE OF
BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING
IN THE
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING BRANCH
SCHOOL OF CHEMICAL AND FOOD SCIENCE
KONGU ENGINEERING COLLEGE
(AUTONOMOUS)
PERUNDURAI-638052
APRIL 2011

KONGU ENGINEERING COLLEGE

PERUNDURAI, ERODE-638052

BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE

Certified that this project report OPTIMISATION OF ROTARY KILN is

the bonafide work of
BALAJI.A

(07CHR009)

BALAMURASU.R

(07CHR011)

SAMPATHKUMAR.G (07CHR040)
AYYAPPAN.S

(07CHR008)

Who carried out the project work under my guidance.

SIGNATURE
Dr.K.SARAVANAN
HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT
Department of chemical engineering
School of chemical and food science
Kongu engineering college
Perundurai
Erode -638 052

SIGNATURE
Dr.K.CHANDRAMOHAN
GUIDE
Professor, Dep of Chemical Eng
School of chemical and food science
Kongu engineering college
Perundurai
Erode-638052

CERTIFICATION OF EVALUATION

College Name

: Kongu Engineering College.

Branch

: Chemical Engineering.

Semester

Sl.No

: VIII.

Names of the students

Title of the

Name of the guide

project

with designation

1.

Balaji. A

(07chr009)

2.

Balamurasu.R

(07chr011) Optimisation of

3.

Sampathkumar.G (07chr040)

4.

Ayyappan.S

(07chr008)

Dr.K.ChandraMohan

rotary kiln in

Professor

paper mill

Department of
chemical

The reports of the project work submitted by the above students in partial
fulfilment for the award of Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering
was evaluated and confirmed to be reports of the work done by the above
students.

Submitted foe the University Examination held on....................

(EXAMINER I)

(EXAMINER II)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
We

wish

to

express

our

sincere

thanks

to

our

correspondent

Mr.R.K.VISHWANATHAN, and our generous contributors of KVIT Trust for

providing us the necessary infrastructure to complete this project.
We owe our deepest gratitude and sincere thanks to our beloved principal,
professor .S. KUPPUSWAMI B.E., M.sc (Engg). Dr.Ing (France) for his
encouragement during the courses of study.
We whole heartedly thank Dr.K.SARAVANAN M.E., PhD head of the
chemical engineering department for providing us the necessary facilities to do
our project successfully.
We extend our sincere thanks to our project review committee members
Dr.K.SARAVANAN M.E., PhD and N.SIVARAJA SEKAR M.E., for their
constant support to complete this project successfully.
We take extreme delight in expressing our warm and sincere gratitude to our
guide Dr.K.CHANDRAMOHAN M.E., PhD for his valuable suggestion and
guidance throughout our project duration, which have all been cardinal to finish
this project successfully.
We thank all teaching and non-teaching staff of the chemical department for
their support, encouragement and cooperation in letting us make use of various
amenities in the department.
Keeping in mind that little drops make the mighty ocean, we also take this
opportunity to thank all our friends who have helped in so many ways to finish
this project successfully.

CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
SYNOPSIS

LIST OF FIGURES

II

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 ABOUT THE COMPANY
1.2 EXPANSION/MODERNISATION PROJECT
1.3 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
1.4 CHEMICAL RECOVERY PROCESS
1.5 ORIGINOF PAPER
1.6 OVER ALL PAPER MANUFACTURING PROCESS IN SPB
1.7 MANUFACTURE OF PAPER

1
2
2
3
4
5

CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE SURVEY
2.1 ROTARY LIME KILNS
2.2 NECESSITY OF ROTATION IN ROTARY LIME KILN

11

2.3 ROTARY KILN FLAMES

11

2.4 ROTARY KILN CHAIN SYSTEMS

11

2.5. ROTARY KILN REFRACTORY SYSTEMS

12

2.6. ROTARY KILN PRODUCT COOLERS

13

2.7. EXTERNAL LIME MUD DRIES

13

2.8. LIME KILN FANS

14

2.9. LIME KILN HEAT RATE

15

2.10. EXAMPLE FOR KILN HEAT RATE

16

2.11. MAJOR HEAT RATE IMPROVEMENTS

17

2.12. MINOR HEAT RATE IMPROVEMENTS

2.13. LIME KILN FUELS
19

10

18

CHAPTER. 3
DESIGN CALCULATION OF LIME KILN
3.1. MASS FLOW RELATIONSHIPS
3.2

FUEL HEATING VALUE LOSSES

3.3 KILN ENERGY BALANCE

3.4. HEAT RATE CALCULATION PARAMTERS
3.5. SHELL HEAT LOSS CALCULATION
3.6. RESIDENCE TIME CALCULATION

LIST OF FIGURES
GF

= Fuel flow rate

G CaO

= CaO production rate

G co2

= Co2 production rate

G Caco3 = Caco3 production rate

Gd

= Dust flow rate

GW

= Flow rate of water in mud

Gi

= Inerts flow rate

Ga

= Air flow rate

Gcp

= Combustion product flow rate

HR

= Kiln Heat Rate

Hr

= Heat of reaction of Caco3 => CaO + Co2, at Tref

HHV

= Higher heating value

LHV

= Lower heating value

Tp

= Kiln product temperature

T ref

= Reference temperature

Tge

= Kiln exit gas temperature

Tsh

= shell temperature, 0C

FLHV

= Fraction of HHV in LHV

f cp

= Fraction of HHV in combustion products at Tgc

hgc

= Enthalpy of vaporization of water

Qsh

= Shell heat loss, W

hi

= Heat of component i above T ref

AFS = Stoichiometric air-to-fuel ratio

e

= Excess air

= Mud solids

= Lime availability

= Dust loss

Gm

= Mass flow rate

Cp Caco3 = Specific heat of Caco3

Cp CaO = Specific heat of CaO

Cp co2 = Specific heat of Co2
Cp w

= Specific heat of water

Cp Cp = Specific heat of combined product

Cp i

= Specific heat of Inerts

Cps

= Specific heat of Steam

sh

= Shell emissivity

= Residence time, hr
D =Kiln outside diameter, m
V = Wind velocity, m/s
L = Length, m
= Angle of inclination, degrees
q c = Convection heat transfer , W/m2
q r = Radiation heat transfer , W/m2

CHAPTER-1
INTRODUCTION
1.1

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited (SPB), the flagship company

belonging to 'ESVIN GROUP', operates an integrated pulp, paper and
paper board Mill at Pallipalayam, Erode-638 007, District Namakkal, and
Tamilnadu, India.
SPB, incorporated in June 1960, was promoted by Seshasayee
Brothers (Pvt) Limited in association with a foreign collaborator M/s
Parsons and White horse, South East Asia Inc., USA. After
commencement of commercial production, having fulfilled their
performance guarantee obligations, the foreign collaborators withdrew in
1969.
SPB commenced commercial production in December 1962, on
commissioning a 20000 tpa integrated facility, comprising a Pulp Mill
and two Paper Machines (PM-1 and PM-2), capable of producing,
writing, printing, Kraft and poster varieties of paper.
The Plant capacity was expanded to 35000 TPA in 1967-68, by
modification of PM-2 and addition of a third Paper Machine (PM-3). The
cost of the expansion scheme, at Rs 34 Millions, was part financed by All
India Financial Institutions (Rs 31 Millions).
In the second stage of expansion, undertaken in 1976, capacity was
enhanced to 55000 TPA, through addition of a 60 tpd new Paper Machine .Cost
of the project, including cost of a Chemical Recovery Boiler and other facilities
for enhanced requirement of utilities, was estimated at Rs. 176 Millions.

1.2

EXPANSION/MODERNISATION PROJECT
The Company Embarked On An Expansion / Modernization Project To
Enhance Its Production Capacity From 60000 Tons Per Annum, To 1, 15,000
Tons Per Annum And To Upgrade Some Of The Existing Facilities, At An
Estimated Cost Of Rs 1890 Millions.
The Said Expansion / Modernization Project Was Completed In December 2010
After Successful Trials, the Commercial Production Out Of the New Paper
Machine Commenced On July 1, 2010.
The Current Installed Capacity of the Company Stands at 1, 15,000 Tons
per Annum.
At Present Five Machines Produce An Average Of 330 Tpd of Paper. To
Meet its Pulp Requirement, SPB Produce About 235 Tpd Of Wood And Bagasse
Unbleached Pulp And Balanced Is Purchased. SPB Has Four Stationary
Digesters, Brown Stack Washing (BWS), Screening & Centri Cleaning And
Bleaching System (CEPHH) For Production of Bleached Wood Pulp
1.3 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
The Company attaches paramount importance to the conservation and
improvement of the environment. In its efforts to improve the environmental
protection measures, the Company has installed:

Two Electro Static Precipitators For Its Boilers To Control Dust

Emissions

An Anaerobic Lagoon For High BOD Liquid Effluents

A Secondary Treatment System For Liquid Effluents And

An Electro Static Precipitator and Cascade Evaporator to the Recovery

Boiler.

1.4. CHEMICAL RECOVERY PROCESS

The excess black liquor is at about 15 % solids and is concentrated in

a multiple effect evaporator. After the first step the black liquor is about 20 30 % solids. At this concentration the rosin soap rises to the surface and
is skimmed off. The collected soap is further processed to tall oil. Removal of
the soap improves the evaporation operation of the later effects.
The weak black liquor is further evaporated to 65% or even 80% solids and
burned in the recovery boiler to recover the inorganic chemicals for reuse in the
pulping process. Higher solids in the concentrated black liquor increases the
energy and chemical efficiency of the recovery cycle, but also gives higher
viscosity and precipitation of solids.
The molten salts from the recovery boiler are dissolved in process water
known as "weak wash". This process water, also known as "weak white liquor"
is composed of all liquors used to wash lime mud and green liquor precipitates.
The resulting solution of sodium carbonate and sodium sulphide is known as
"green liquor". This liquid is mixed with calcium oxide, which
becomes calcium hydroxide in solution, to regenerate the white liquor used in
the pulping process through an equilibrium reaction.
Calcium carbonate precipitates from the white liquor and is recovered and
heated in a limekiln where it is converted to calcium oxide (lime).
Calcium oxide (lime) is reacted with water to regenerate the calcium
hydroxide used. The recovery boiler also generates high pressure steam which is
fed to turbo generators, reducing the steam pressure for the mill use and
generating electricity. A modern Kraft pulp mill is more than self-sufficient in
its electrical generation and normally will provide a net flow of energy which
can be used by an associated paper mill or sold to neighbouring industries.

1.5 ORIGIN OF PAPER

Paper derives from the word "papyrus". Today, paper includes a wide
range of products with very different applications: communication, cultural,
educational, artistic, hygienic, and sanitary as well as storage and transport of
all kinds of goods. It's almost impossible to imagine a life without paper.
Paper has a long history, beginning with the ancient Egyptians and continuing
to the present day. After hand-made methods dominated for thousands of years,
paper production became industrialized during the 19th century. Originally
intended purely for writing and printing purposes, a wide variety of paper
grades and uses is now available to the consumer.
Paper is a natural product, manufactured from a natural and renewable raw
material, wood. The advantage of paper is that it is biodegradable and
recyclable. In this way, the paper industry is sustainable, from the forest
through the production of paper, to the use and final recovery of the product.
Paper is an essential part of our lives and satisfies many human needs. We use
it to store and communicate information (newspapers, books, documents and
writing paper), for cultural and artistic purposes, to transport and protect food.

1.6. OVER ALL PAPER MANUFACTURING PROCESS IN SPB

Seshasayee Paper & Board Limited manufactures paper of various qualities
using Bagasse as raw material. The production process is as follows:

1.7 MANUFACTURE OF PAPER

RAW MATEIALS:

Hard wood and Bagasse are the two basic raw materials mostly
used in SPB for manufacturing paper. Following steps are involved in the
paper making.

Step -1: CHIPING OF WOODEN LOGS

Wooden logs with a width of more than 6 cm are saw in a band saw
Stripped logs are chipped into small pieces by knives mounted in massive steel
wheels
The chips pass through vibrating screens, whereby undersized chips, dust etc
and oversized chips are rejected.
Accepted chips are then stored in huge bins ready for the next process.
Step- 2: COOKING OF CHIPS
The wood chips are cooked in huge pressurized vessels called digesters.
Some digesters operate in batch manner and some in continuous processes.
There are several variations of the cooking processes both for the batch and the
continuous digesters. Digesters producing 1,000 tons of pulp per day and more
are common with the largest producing more than 3,500 tones of pulp per day.
In a continuous digester the materials are fed at a rate which allows the pulping
reaction to be complete by the time the materials exit the reactor. Typically
delignification requires several hours at 130 to 180 C (266 to 356 F). Under
these conditions lignin and hemicelluloses degrade to give fragments that are
soluble in the strongly basic liquid. The solid pulp (about 50% by weight based
on the dry wood chips) is collected and washed. At this point the pulp is quite
brown and is known as brown stock.
The combined liquids, known as black liquor (so called because of its color),
contain lignin fragments, carbohydrates from the breakdown of
hemicellulose,sodium carbonate, sodium sulphate and other inorganic salts. The

Bagasse is depithed in a wet depither, in which pith is removed. The depithed,

in which pith is removed .the depithed Bagasse, is either fed to the continuous
digester for further process.
Step-3: BROWN STACK WASING:
The brown stock from the blowing goes to the washing stages where the
used cooking liquors are separated from the cellulose fibres. Normally a pulp
mill has 3-5 washing stages in series. Washing stages are also placed after
oxygen delignification and between the bleaching stages as well. Pulp washers
use counter current flow between the stages such that the pulp moves in the
opposite direction to the flow of washing waters.
Several processes involved: thickening / dilution, displacement and diffusion.
The dilution factor is the measure of the amount of water used in washing
compared with the theoretical amount required to displace the liquor from the
thickened pulp. Lower dilution factor reduces energy consumption, while higher
dilution factor normally gives cleaner pulp. Thorough washing of the pulp
reduces the chemical oxygen demand (COD).
Step-4: SCREENING AND BLEACHING
The pulp from the washers is screened in screens inn screens and cleaners to
remove the sand particles
The primary objective of bleaching is to achieve a whiter or brighter pulp. If a
mill produces brown paper such as linerboard, a bleaching sequence is not
required. However, if white paper such as writing or magazine paper is
produced, bleaching is required. Bleaching removes the lignin which remains
following digester cooking. Lignin is the source of colour and odour for pulp.
It is extensive reuse of washer filtrate to reduce fresh water usage. This
reduces the amount of effluent to be treated prior to discharge from the mill.

Some modern plants use totally enclosed pressure diffusion washers following
O2 delignification to further reduce toxic effluent.
It involves increased substitution of chlorine dioxide for chlorine gas.
Chlorine dioxide does not release the chlorine ions responsible for forming
dioxin. Although chlorine dioxide is more expensive to produce, it requires
2.5~3 times less to bleach the same amount of pulp. Some processes which use
O2 delignification prior to bleaching have achieved 100% substitution of
chlorine dioxide.
Although many changes have evolved which have decreased dioxin
emissions, the future continues to hold change. Federal and state regulatory
agencies continue to disagree on allowable emission limits. Future technology
will continue to move toward zero discharge limits for dioxins and other byproducts of the bleaching process.
Step -5: STOCK PREPARATION
The stock is prepared is a series of steps that converts logs to a suitable
form for use in the pulp mill.
Logs from the forest are usually received from a truck, rail car, or barge.
Large overhead cranes are used to unload and sort the logs into piles for long or
short logs. Logs may pass through a slashed if a certain length is required.
The next step involves debarking which removes both dirt and bark from the
logs. The most common method employed is mechanical debarking via a
barking drum.
Logs are fed into the rotating cylinder and the rotating/tumbling action
rubs the bark from the logs. The bark falls out of the cylinder via slots and
debarked logs exit the opposite end of the cylinder. Bark is used as fuel for the
power boiler.
Following debarking, the logs are fed to the chipper. The chipper uses
high speed rotating blades to reduce the logs to chips of a suitable size for

pulping. Chips are then screened for acceptable sizes by passing them over a set
of vibratory screens. The rejects are returned for further chipping and acceptable
chips stored in large outdoor piles or silos for pulp mill use.
Step-6: PAPER MACHINING
The Paper Machine is a very large piece of machinery. A typical machine is
about the length of two football pitches and around 4 meters wide. It can run up
to speeds of 2000 m per minute - or 60 miles per hour! The machine itself
consists of 7 distinct sections. The flow box, wire, press section, drier section,
size press, calendar and reeling up.
The first section of the machine is called the 'Wet End'. This is where the
diluted stock first comes into contact with the paper machine. It is poured onto
the machine by the flow box which is a collecting box for the dilute paper stock.
A narrow aperture running across the width of the box allows the stock to flow
onto the wire with the fibers distributed evenly over the whole width of the
paper machine.
Step 7: CHEMICAL MEASURING METHOD (KAPPA NUMBER)
The Kappa number is an indication of the residual lignin content
or bleach ability of wood pulp by a standardized analysis method.
Measuring method
The Kappa number is determined and applicable to all kinds
of chemical and semi-chemical pulps and gives a Kappa number in the range of
1-100.

The

Kappa

number

is

measurement

of

how

much

standard permanganate solution that is consumed by the pulp. These compounds

are formed during the chemical pulping process, from the hemicelluloses.
Application

The Kappa number estimates the amount of chemicals required during

bleaching of wood Pulp to obtain a pulp with a given degree of whiteness.

CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE SURVEY
LIME KILN PRINCIPLES AND OPERATIONS
2.1 ROTARY LIME KILNS
Rotary lime kiln are large steel tubes that are lined on the inside with
refractory bricks. They are slightly inclined from the horizontal and are slowly
rotated on a set of riding rings. Lime mud is introduced at the uphill, feed end
and slowly makes it away to the discharge end due to the inclination and
rotation. A burner is installed at the downhill or discharge end of the kiln fuel is
burned to from an approximately cylindrical flame. Heat transfer from this
flame and the hot combustion gases that flow up the kiln dries, heats, and
calcines the counter-flowing lime solids. Rotary kiln in the pulp and paper
industry range in size from 7 ft (2.1m) in diameter by 175 ft (53m) long to 13.5
ft (4m) in diameter by 400ft (122m) long . The refractory lining is from 6 in
(15.2cm) to 10 in (25.4cm) thick. Production capacities for these units range
from 50 tons/day of capacity for these units range from 50 tons /day of Cao (45
metric tons/day) to 450 tons/day of Cao (400 metric tons/day).
The weight of the kiln is supported on the riding rings that encircle kiln.
These riding rings contact carrying rolls supported by concrete piers. A large
electric motor operating through a reducing gear box and pinion drives a main
gear attached to the kiln. Typically the kiln is driven at speeds of 0.5 to 2 RPM,
often with variable speed arrangements. Typically transit times for the lime
through the kiln are from 1.5 hours to 4 hours under normal operating

conditions. This is set by the speed and by the slope of the kiln, which is
between 1.50 and 3 0 (5/16 to 5/8 inches/foot).

2.2. NECESSITY OF ROTATION IN ROTARY LIME KILN

The rotation of the kiln is necessary for the use of hoods and seals at each
end for connection to stationary ancillary equipment. At the hot end, the firing
hood provides support for the burner and the flame management equipment, as
well as openings and passages for the discharge of the reburned lime product. At
the cold end, the hood provides openings for a lime mud feed screw or belt, a
connection to the induced draft fan and an important seal to limit the flow of
tramp air. In order installations this often an enlarged chamber in which dust
and mud can be sluiced out of this area. Newer installations incorporate smaller
hoods to improve the seal and shorten the length of the mud screw or belt.

2.3. ROTARY KILN FLAMES

The burner and flame play an important role in product quality and
refractory service life. As with all combustion fired heat exchange equipment,
higher flame temperature means higher production capacity and efficiency.
However, excessive temperatures cause refractory damage, and over-burned,
slow-reacting lime product. This tradeoff in performance results in a
compromise in flame length. Slide 5 shows sketches of three types of rotary kiln
flames. Shorter flames are too hot and cause refractory damage and overburden
lime, while longer flames cause some loss in production capacity and efficiency,
and loss of control of the product quality. A compact, medium-length flame
approximately three times the kiln diameter in length is a good tradeoff between

efficiency and refractory service life. However, irrespective of the shape, the
flame must not touch the refractory, or serious refractory washing will occur.

2.4. ROTARY KILN CHAIN SYSTEMS

At the cold end of the kiln, the relatively low gas temperature
hampers heat transfer. To improve this, a section of chain is hung from the shell
in this part of the kiln. This chain is made up of links that are typically in. by
3 in(1.9cm x 7.6cm) .Hangers attach lengths of this chain directly to the kiln
shell either from one end of this chain directly to the kiln shell either from one
end or both ends. When chain is hung from one end it is referred to as curtain
chain. When hung from both ends it is most often called a garland system. Slide
6 shows sketches of these two types of chain systems, and shows the difference
between high-density and low-density chain hanging arrangements.
The method of hanging the chain makes little difference in this
effectiveness as a regenerative best exchange surface. As long as the chain
alternatively contacts the combustion gases and the lime mud as the kiln rotates,
it is effective. Like any low-temperature heat exchanger, it is the available
surface area that is most important to effectiveness. The chain surface area in a
lime reburning kiln can represent two-thirds of the entire heat transfer surface.
2.5. ROTARY KILN REFRACTORY SYSTEMS
There are several different types of refractory materials available for
application in lime reburning, and usually two or three of these are used at
different locations along the length of the kiln. A very common refractory
system consists of bricks that are either shaped to fit the curvature of the shell or
are in thin wedges that can be laid in an arch pattern in order to produce a
complete shell lining.

The refractory bricks are composed of special heat-resistant and

chemical attack resistant materials that are most often alumina and silica
compounds. Traditionally, the bricks in the hot sooner of the kiln near the flame
are composed of 70% alumina in order to resist the high temperatures and
chemical attack in this region. About one-third of the way up the length of the
kiln, this is changed to 40% alumina bricks, which have better insulating
characteristics. Finally, a cast able low-temperature refractory is used in the
chain section at the cold end of the kiln. Many modifications of this pattern are
now available including cast or packed refractories in place of bricks, or twobrick systems that use insulating bricks against the steel shell and chemical
attack resistant bricks in contact with the lime solids and combustion gases.
The ability of the refractory lining to withstand chemical attack by the lime
and its constituents is crucial to the service of life of this part of the kiln.
Although sudden changes in temperature can damage the lining, it is primarily
due to chemical attack that refractory is washed from the kiln and requires
periodic replacement. Quite aside from the increased heat loss associated with
thin, worn refractory lining, it is important for structural reasons to maintain the
lining to avoid exposure of the steel shell to combustion temperatures.
Refractory wastage
Most refractory damage due to wastage
- Smooth,birdbathrefractory thinning
Due to high temperature chemical attack
Product refractory with a coating of lime
Operate kiln for lower refractory face temp
- Low primary air flow, avoid flame impingement
- Cold end excess O2 > 1.5%

2.6. ROTARY KILN PRODUCT COOLERS

All modern kilns are being offered with product coolers. Satellite
coolers are tubes attached to the kiln shell and rotating with kiln. The hot
reburned lime product drops through holes in the shell just uphill from the lip of
the kiln into the tube coolers. Internal structures move the lime back uphill in
these tubes as they orbit with the kiln rotation. They also bring the hot lime into
contact with air, which preheats this combustion air and results in a substantial
improvement in energy efficiency for the kiln. There are now two types of
product coolers for lime reburning kilns that can be installed on new kilns or
retrofit to older kilns.
2.7. EXTERNAL LIME MUD DRIES
The wet lime mud is introduced into the duct leading to a cyclone.
The mud dries in flight, separates from the gases in the cyclone, and flows into
the kiln as a dry powder.
The lime dust that escapes the cyclone is usually captured in an electrostatic
precipitator and also enters the kiln dry. With this system, chains are not needed
to dry the lime mud; the entire kiln length is available for heating and calcining.
2.8. LIME KILN FANS
The fans at the hot end and cold end of the kiln. The primary Air
(PA) fan is at the hot end and supplies a small amount of air to the burner for
flame shaping and stability. Typically the PA fan supplies only 5% to 25% of the
total air required for complete combustion. The induced Draft (ID) fan at the
cold end of the kiln is the main gas moving fan. It pulls the combustion
products, carbon dioxide from calcining, and the water vapor from the wet mud

out of the cold end of the kiln. The ID fan is used to control the total air flow
into the kiln for combustion so controls the excess air or excess oxygen in the
flue gas from the kiln.
Fans, draft and O2
PA fan only for flame shaping
ID fan is main air moving fan
- Use ID fan to control O2
- Often limited production capacity
- Wet scrubber is main for restriction

The capacity of the ID fan often limits the production capacity of the kiln.
When the ID fan reaches its maximum capacity, no more combustion air can be
brought into the kiln. This limits the fuel firing rater and the lime production
rate. For many installations the wet scrubber that follows the ID fan in the flue
gas system is the biggest resistance to flue gas flow, so scan limits the ID fan
capacity. Changes in wet scrubber pressure-drop for emission control or changes
in fuel type can decrease the ID fan capacity and kiln production capacity.
2.9. LIME KILN HEAT RATE
The energy efficiency of lime kilns is expressed as the heat Rate. Heat
is the reciprocal of energy efficiency, and is usually expressed as MM Btu/ton of
CaO. or as GJ/tone of CaO. Lower values of Heat Rate indicate more efficient
operation.

Lime Kiln Heat Rate

Heat rate is a measure of energy effiency
-Units are MM Btu/ton Cao or GJ/tone Cao
-Often stated as MM Btu/ton product
Typical range
-5to 9 MM Btu/ton Cao
- 5.8 to 10.5 GJ/tonnes Cao
- Lower is better

The main chemical reaction in a lime kiln is calcining, the conversion of the
calcium carbonate (Caco3) in the lime mud into calcium oxide (Cao) in the kiln
product. Energy is required to cause this endothermic reaction to occur, but
there are other energy components to the overall energy demand of the kiln.
Lime Kiln Energy Balance Components
Drying
Calcining :CaCO3 + heat-> CaO +CO2
Losses
Heat loss through shell
Heat loss in hot lime product
Heat loss with gas and dust exiting at cold end
A portion of fuel higher heating value is unavailable
IIIIV is measured and reported
Only Lower Heating Values (LHV) is actually available

2.10. EXAMPLE FOR KILN HEAT RATE

Kiln Parameters
Fust
Production
Mud dry solids
Kiln exit O2
Lime availability
Dust loss
Product temp
Cold and gas temp
Shell heat loss

Lime Kiln Heat Rate

Overall Heat Rate = 8.4 MM Btu/CaO

Net Gas
25TPD
78%
3%
85%
18%
6000F
6000F
11.4 MM Btu/hr

contribution

Heat

fraction

Remedy

Calcining

Rate
2.82

34%

No change possible

reaction
Heat to

evap 1.75

21%

Increase

mud

dry

16%

solids
Decrease

exit

gas

13%
10%
3%
1%

temp
Insulating refractory
Change fuel
Product coolers
Improve chain system

water
Heat in exit gas

1.50

Shell heat loss

LHV/HHV loss
Heat in product
Heat in dust

1.10
0.82
0.29
0.11

CAUTION WITH HEAT RATE CALCULATION

Gives instantaneous value

-Does include down time, upsets
Good to asses where improvements needed
Some changes a\affect more than one parameter
-refractory changes loss & exit temp[
Mud solids affects evaporates loss and exit temp
Fuel changes LHV/HHV, exit gas temp, and diet loss.

2.11. MAJOR HEAT RATE IMPROVEMENTS

Kiln
Fuel
Production,
Rate TPD

Base
Nal ZGas
250

Refractory
Nal Gas
250

Fuel Type
Fuel Gas
260

Chains
Net Gas
250

Mud dry solids 75%

Kiln exit o2
3%
Lime
85%

78%
3%
85%

78%
3?%
85%

78%
3%
85%

availability
Dust loss
Product

1`2%
600

18%
600

18%
600

temp,F
Cold and gas 600

475

500

525

temp,F
Shell

6.3

11.4

11.4

Btu/tu
Heat Rate,MM 8.4

7.0

7.4

8.0

Btu/tu
change

-17%

-11%

-4%

19%
600

Heat 11.4

Loss,MM

Improving the Kiln refractory to reduce the shell heat loss obviously has a very
impact on Kiln Heat Rate, but the fuel used in firing the kiln is almost as
important.

2.12. MINOR HEAT RATE IMPROVEMENTS

Kiln
Fuel
Production,

Base
Nal ZGas
250

Refractory
Nal Gas
250

Fuel Type
Fuwel Gas
260

Chains
Net Gas
250

Rate TPD
Muddry

75%

78%

78%

78%

solids
Kiln exit o2
Lime

3%
85%

2%
85%

3%
85%

3%
85%

availability
Dust loss
Product

18%
600

18%
600

12%
600

18%
600

temp,F
Cold and gas 600

575

600

600

temp,F
Shell

11.4

11.4

11.4

8.1

8.2

8.2

-3%

-3%

-2%

Heat 11.4

Loss,MM
Btu/tu
Heat

6.4

Rate,MM
Btu/tu
change

2.13. LIME KILN FUELS

The common lime kiln fuels used in the pulp and paper industry. Natural
gas and fuel oil are widely used, but a growing number of Kilns are at least
partially fired with petroleum coke. Pet coke is an efficient, though messy,
Kiln fuel as long as the sulfur and metals contamination are not too high. The
sulfur content of petroleum coke slightly derates the Kiln due to the formation
of CaSO4 and the metals require somewhat higher use of purchased lime, but
these two are offset by the lower cost and better efficiency.
Common Lime Reburning Kiln Fuels
Nat gas and fuel oil or most common
Fuel Oil in more efficient, gives higher capacity
Petroleum`, Coke
Many applications, low cost
Safer and metals can be high
Thermal Nox can be high
Improves best rates

Wood and bark powder have been fired directly in kilns as the main kiln fuel.
The NPEs in these fuels are usually low enough so that modest increase in like
makeup can control build up of NPEs in the recovery loop.
There are several schemes to separate lignin from the black liquor and use it
as product or as fuel for the like kiln. Tests of lignin as a fuel both in test
facility and in the field have shown this is feasible, though the sulfur content is
relatively high.
Pyrolysis oils have also been proposed for lime kilns but fuel handling problems
need to be overcome to make this attractive.
Other Solid / Liquid Kiln Fuels
Wood not bark powder
- NPEs can be high
Lime purge & makeup sanded to central NPEs
Lignin
sulfur can be high
of
Pyrolysis
Oilsand other materials, which have been used for
On the gasification
wood, coal
many years to provide
fuel-gas for
kilns.issues
The lower cost of the
- clean
Not currently
and,firing
pH &lime
possible
gasification fuel offsets the high capitals cost of the equipment needed to gasify
these fuels. Good, stable operations possible with gasification with production
capacity and Heat Rate similar to that or natural.
Gasification Fuels
Coal, wood and other fuels can be gasified
Fuel-gas can be used to fire kiln
- Similar to natural gas
- Lower inert level, well established technology
- On-line availability 85%
- Wet gasifier feedstocks derate kiln
- Burner and chains must be designed for fuel-gas

The fuels that ate generated in the pulp mill. Turpentine, methanol,
stripper off-gas (SOG), and non condensable gases (NCG) have all been burned
in lime reburning kilns. The energy content of these fuels varies considerably,
but each makes a contribution to over all heat input. These materials contain
some sulphur that can derate the kiln capacity, and all of them lower the Heat
Rate of the kiln.
Fuels from the pulp mill
Turpentine or methanol liquid
Stripper off-gas (SOG)
Non condensable gas (NCG)
- Can be wet and sulfur level can be high
Tall oil and tall oil pitch
- Can fire 100% tall oil, similar to fuel oil
- 16,000Btu/lb and low sulfur
CHAPTER. 3.
DESIGN CALCULATION OF LIME KILN
CALCUATION
3.1. MASS FLOW RELATIONSHIPS
G m=GCaO

1+0.786 a 1
a
d
1+0.7860.85
1
=250+ (
)*( 10.18 )
0.85

= 598.31 tons /day

G d=G CaO

1+0.786 a d
a
1d
1+0.7860.85
0.18
= 598.31 (
)*( 10.18 )
0.85

= 107.69 tons /day

G w=GCaO

1+0.786 a 1 1s
a
1d s

= 598.31*(

1+0.7860.85
1
10.78
)*(
)*(
)
0.85
10.18
0.78

= 168.75 tons/day
Gi=GCaO

1a
a

= 598.31* (

10.85
)
0.85

= 44.12 tons/day

G co 2=G CaO

44
56
44

= 598.31* 56
= 196.428 tons/day
G cp=G f [1+ ( 1+e ) AFS ]

= 36.83 [ 1+ ( 10.20 )13.44 ]

= 432.8 tons/day
3.2

FUEL HEATING VALUE LOSSES

Losses to use of higher heating value

fLHV =

LHV
HHV
7
7
= (4.07 10 )/(4.27 E 10 )

= 0.953
Losses due to flow of combustion products
{ 1+ ( 1+e ) AFS } CpCp ( TgeT ref )
f cp=

HHV

7
= ({1+(1+ 0.20)13.44 }12.67 (17525))/(4.27 10 )
= 0.0762.

3.3 KILN ENERGY BALANCE

Gf HHV ( fLHV f cp )=GCaO [ H r+ CpCaO ( T pT ref ) ]
+G co 2Cp co 2 ( T T ref )
+Gi Cpi ( TpT ref )
+Gw [hfg+Cp w (TgeT ref )]
+Gd Cp d(TgeT ref )+Qsh

Gf

*4.27*10^7* (0.983-0.0762) = 250 [ 3270045+989 ( 8025 ) ]

17525
+196.428919 )

+44.12(80-25)*1046

+168.75 [2439465+ 4180(17525)]

+ 107.69*795.5(175-25)
+4704.5
G f = 36.74 tons/day.
Heat rate calculation
HR= ((Gf HHV )/Gcao)
7

= ( (36.744.27 10 )/ 250
= 6275192 J/kg
3.4. HEAT RATE CALCULATION PARAMTERS

FUEL CONSTANTS
Nat.gas

Fuel oil

Units in SI

HHV

5.37E+07

4.27E+07

J/kg

LHV

4.86E+07

4.07E+07

J/kg

AFS

16.80

13.44

PROPERTIES
Combined product specific heat

Cp Cp

1.267

J/kg/0C

Reburn specific heat

Cp CaO

989

J/kg/0C

Co2 specific heat

Cp co2

919

J/kg/0C

Inerts specific heat

Cp i

1,046

J/kg/0C

Steam specific heat

Cp s

1,991

J/kg/0C

Heat of calculation
Enthalpy of vaporization

H
r

3,270,045

J/kg

hfg

2,439,465

J/kg

3.5. SHELL HEAT LOSS CALCULATION

Convection, W/m2
q c=1.175 [ 22.75v 2 +1.8( Tsh25 ) ]

0.35

(Tsh25)

0.35

= 1.175 [ 22.754+1.8 ( 15025 ) ] (15025)

= 1101.3 W/m2
Radiation, W/m2
q r =5.668 10 (8) sh { ( Tsh+273 )4298 4 }
4
4
8
= 5.668 * 10 *0.75* {( 150+273 ) 298 }

= 1025.8 W/m2
Shell heat loss, W
n

Q sh=D ( q c+ q r )

3.520.2 ( 1101.3 +1025.8 )

i

= 4704.5 W
3.6. RESIDENCE TIME CALCULATION

L
60 nDtan

= 82/(600.833.52tan ( 6))
= 1.416 hr.