Low carbon technology for cement kiln linings
Sustainability plays a key role in the cement industry. The ANKRAL LC, an innovative product from RHI Magnesita, manufactured by its sustainable method, which enables production with particularly low CO2 emissions.
This special feature is the first ever use of new recycling solutions, which allow reuse of recycled materials without compromising technical requirements and specifications. This state-of-the-art product has now first been used in a pilot project with RHI Magnesita’s customer LafargeHolcim in Mannersdorf (Austria).
LC stands for low carbon and refers to a significantly lower CO2 footprint compared to conventional products. This is mainly achieved by using secondary recycled materials from rotary cement kilns.
These were previously considered unsuitable for further use in the production process of magnesite bricks, because in most cases they contain a high amount of infiltrated salts which have a negative effect on the properties of the refractory bricks.
The research team took up the challenge, revolutionized the technical methods for reusing these precious recycled materials and created significant intellectual property including the filing of patents.
RHI Magnesita adopted its process and organizational setup accordingly, and now also invests in the installation of new environmental equipment in its plants to make them fit for the future.
The new exhaust gas cleaning system at the RHI Magnesita plant in Veitsch, for example, sets new standards in environmental protection.
“After successful trials and production of our sustainable technology, RHI Magnesita is now ready for the market launch of the ANKRAL LC series,” says Heinz Telser, Head of Technical Marketing & Innovation.
In February, the LafargeHolcim plant in Mannersdorf, Austria, was the first to install the ANKRAL Q2 LC bricks in its rotary kiln, followed by further installations at other LafargeHolcim plants in Austria and Switzerland to minimize waste and maximize use of recycled material.
The increased use of recycled materials contributes to securing stocks in the long term by reducing cost-intensive recycled material procurement and sustainably improving the ecological footprint and environmental balance by reducing CO2 emissions. When dismantling facilities, RHI Magnesita ensures that the recovered materials are recycled, following the zero-waste concept.
