In cement kilns, combustion takes place under very high flame temperatures and relatively long residence times. These conditions are favourable for the burning of refuse waste. The purpose of this note is to review the combustion and pollutant emission implications of using such a fuel as a supplementary source of heat in a cement kiln.
Based on technical and environmental considerations, the analysis of burning refuse-derived fuel (RDF) in a cement kiln shows that no special firing technology has to be installed except that of the RDF handling system, that there is an upper limit to the total fuel consumption (no more than 30 per cent) for firing RDF and that there is no increase in the emission levels of air pollutants (including acid gases, dioxins, furans, etc.). At present, there seems to be no economical advantage in burning RDF. However, if municipal solid waste (MSW) is generated in large amounts and financial support is provided by the local authority to cover the investment/operating costs, burning RDF in cement kilns will become economically attractive as well as feasible.
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