Energy optimization in cement manufacturing

Cement producers are large consumers of thermal and electrical energy, which on a global level are only available at steadily increasing costs. Efforts to reduce demands by using higher effi ciency equipment and substituting fuels and raw materials to lower production costs have been addressed in recent years. These changes have introduced constraints that must now be managed to secure the required quality and productivity. Finding the optimal operating point within the boundaries of these dynamically variable constraints depends on the right price mix of fuels and timely purchases of electrical energy while constantly reducing demands for these resources. This article presents a set of solutions and tools to achieve these goals.