Michael C. Walton, Co-Principal

Pages (5): 1 2 3 4 5

KEYWORDS:Refractories, Cement, Alkalis, Forsterite, Zircon

INTRODUCTION

This problem has been around a long time, but has certainly been exacerbated by the arrival of high efficiency coolers such as the IKN.  Conventional alumino-silicate refractories, especially castables have proven unable to cope with the increased aggressiveness of the alkali attack, which now occurs in areas of the process train previously unaffected. In Australia, the CSIRO, in cooperation with a major local cement plant, has devised a laboratory test which seeks to quantify the effect of potassium salts on a range of refractories which may be used in various effected areas of the plant, e.g. precalciner, cooler, dust settler, kiln hood etc. These tests confirmed that there are other materials available, outside the conventional alumino-silicate range, which should provide resistance against this type of attack(1).

1) Stone N, Collins B, et al: 'Alkali attack on Refractories suitable for the Transition Chamber of a cement kiln.' presented to UNITCR conference, Berlin 1999.

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