Cement companies build solar container power stations

How a solar cement plant is designed?

Solar cement plant was designed based on cement production and the Direct Normal Irradiation (DNI) data available at plant location. Total thermal energy and the amount of land needed for the solar cement factory were analysed. Additionally, total mirror surface, number of heliostats, and land requirement are estimated.

Can a conventional cement plant be used for solar thermal applications?

A conventional cement plant (Kotputli Cement Works (KCW), an UltraTech Cement Limited manufacturing unit) at Kotputli, Jaipur, Rajasthan, was investigated for solar thermal application. According to Indian Minerals Yearbook 2020, the plant produced 2.37 million tons, while the production capacity of the plant is 4 million tons.

How can solar energy help cement production?

Growth in cement production consumes a considerable amount of coal for fulfilling the thermal energy requirement which ultimately produces a lot of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. So, there must be some renewable sources of energy like solar energy which can fulfill the thermal energy needs for cement production.

Can a solar power system save CO2 in cement industry?

Concentrated solar power system is designed for cement industry. Substitution of required thermal energy ranging from 100% to 50% is studied. 7600 heliostats with 570 ha land required for 50% conventional energy replacement with solar energy. Selected conventional cement plant could save 419 thousand tons of CO 2 annually.

How to integrate CST Technology in a conventional cement plant?

Best approach to integrating the CST technology in a conventional cement plant is to use solar tower system with solar reactor at the top of the solar tower or preheater tower. Additionally, the use of non-conventional sources of energy in cement production reduces a lot of anthropogenic emissions to the atmosphere.

Can a cement plant use solar heliostats?

Scaling up solar reactors, transportation system for raw and calcined material, and storing of calcined materials are the major barriers. Conventional cement plant that is situated in a location with a DNI value of more than 438 (W/m 2) can use this solar design model. It must have adequate land for installing a large number of heliostats.