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SMART
TECHNOLOGY
Lars Gamborg, FLSmidth,
investigates the benefits of using
smart filter technology in high-performing cement mills.
Introduction
As global demand for cement production remains high, there is
increasing pressure to reduce emissions. Cement producers are subject
to strict emissions standards, with the risk of heavy fines if limits are
exceeded. Ensuring compliance is a top priority and emissions filtering
systems should not only deliver to performance expectations, but
should also be cost-effective and easy to maintain.
In modern cement production, fabric filters for cement mill
applications are more complex than simple steel boxes holding filter
bags, and technology must continue to progress to keep up with
production demand. Specifications requirements, however, often
remain focused on several key factors, such as the following:
z
Small size and low weight, with flexible layout for customisation.
z
Low energy consumption, especially for the cleaning system and
filter fan.
z
An intelligent filter controller.
z
The exact detection of dust emissions.
z
Lower maintenance requirements.
In the past few years, FLSmidth has launched a series of specialised
fabric filters designed to cope with the frequent variations of plant and
process conditions. Yet, as cement producers are constantly looking
to squeeze more out of their capacity, bottlenecks occur as a higher
output is forced through a filter system that was not designed to deal
with such loads. This compromises the system’s filtering efficiency and
places cement plants at risk of steep fines. Adding further to this cost
is the need to replace damaged filter bags that have been pushed
beyond their limits.
R&D
Many years of research and experience in cement mill filter
applications has made it possible to redesign a number of parameters
in the fabric filter and to refine the control of fabric filter systems. In
an effort to meet the needs of modern cement mills, FLSmidth sought
input from cement producers, who aimed to increase efficiency and