rotary kiln
Quick Summary
A rotary kiln is a rotated cylinder lined with refractory material, slightly inclined axially. It is used in the manufacture of cement, gypsum plaster, and lime.1
In cement production, rotary kilns are the dominant method for burning raw materials. These kilns are large steel cylinders, up to 200 meters long and six meters in diameter, that slowly rotate on a slightly inclined axis. Raw material is fed into the upper end and moves down to the firing end, where temperatures reach 1,350 to 1,550 °C. Fuels like pulverized coal, oil, or natural gas are used for firing. The material emerges as clinker, which is then cooled and ground with gypsum to produce cement.2
The manufacture of cement, including the burning process in rotary kilns, is a significant contributor to carbon dioxide emissions and global warming.2
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