Energy and environmental savings via optimisation of the production process at a Spanish cement factory

The most important parameters in clinker production have been identified, as well as those that have the greatest influence, using a PLS (Partial Least Squares Projections to Latent Structures) regression program which explains the variability of “kiln” variables (X) with respect to dependent “quality” variables (Y). An analysis of the most important X and Y variables, such as Alite and Free Lime, was carried out. It was found that a decrease in the kiln Sintering Temperature (standardized at 50 °C) yielded produced the same level of quality in the final product. This finding implies a reduction in petroleum coke consumption and a reduction in CO2 emissions to the atmosphere, with the subsequent energy and cost savings at the factory, in addition to contributing to greater sustainability of the clinker production process.