IRISH CEMENT PLATIN
INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE
IRISH CEMENT
PLATIN
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The next phase of investment
in Platin will see further energy
efficiency improvements through
on site electricity generation
and reduced dependence on
fossil fuels through advances
in the range and quantity of
alternative fuels.
INTRODUCTION
Investing in our future.
The next phase.
IRISH CEMENT
PLATIN
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Investing in our future
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Continuous investment in new technology has
been the hallmark of Irish Cement’s operations
since the opening of the plant in Drogheda in
1938. In 1972, a new dry process plant Kiln1
was constructed when operations transferred to
the current site in Platin. A major upgrade was
completed with the addition of Kiln 2 in 1977
and then again in 2008 with the construction
of Kiln 3, making Platin one of the most energy
efficient cement plants in Europe.
These investments have been vitally important in
helping Platin to maintain efficiency and sustain
local jobs during the recent period of reduced
domestic demand. Our highly efficient operations
in Platin put us in a good position to compete for
export markets in the UK and Europe.
Irish Cement is committed to
sustainable cement production
through three principal initiatives:
1.
Energy efficiency investments
2.
Product innovation
3.
Fossil fuel replacement
IRISH CEMENT
PLATIN
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CEMENT
PRODUCTION
A precisely controlled,
high temperature
manufacturing process.
Safety is of critical
concern through all
stages of the process.
RAW MATERIALS
Limestone, quarried on site,
is the main raw material.
Clay overburden, also from
the site, with shale and small
quantities of bauxite and iron
ore are also required. These raw
materials are crushed, ground
and homogenised to produce
a blend called ‘raw meal’. This
raw meal is then ‘melted’
inside the cement kiln.
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FUEL
Traditionally fossil fuels are
used to fire cement kilns.
Since 2011 an increasing
proportion of the fossil fuels
have been replaced by Solid
Recovered Fuel (SRF). The fuels
are combusted at both ends
of the kiln to provide the high
temperatures needed to ‘melt’
the raw materials.
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QUALITY CONTROL
Quality control is critical to
each stage of the cement
manufacturing process.
Our laboratories, which are
linked to a state-of-the-art
central control room, operate
continuous testing regimes
for raw materials, fuel and
our final products. Platin
also has an R&D laboratory
on site involved in product
development.
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CHEMISTRY
The creation of cement clinker
inside the kiln is the result
of a precise set of chemical
reactions. The raw materials
provide the following essential
compounds: calcium oxide
(CaO), silicon dioxide (SiO
2
),
aluminium oxide (Al
2
O
3
) and
iron oxide (Fe
2
O
3
). At high
temperatures inside the kiln,
they are broken down and
then combine to form new
clinker minerals.
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TEMPERATURE
The temperature required for
clinker formation is 1450°C.
Large fans draw air into the
kiln providing oxygen for the
controlled combustion of
the fuels. The raw materials
‘melt’ at these temperatures
allowing chemical reactions to
take place and clinker to form.
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CLINKER
The clinker is cooled from
1450°C to 120°C as it exits
the kiln and it is then stored
on site in dedicated silos.
The hot air from the clinker is
used to dry and preheat the
raw materials and soon, in a
new project, excess heat in
Platin will be used to generate
electricity on site.
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CEMENT
Cement is produced by milling
the clinker to a fine powder
with the addition of small
quantities of gypsum to control
the setting time. Eco-efficient
CEM II cement is produced
with the addition of unburnt
limestone, reducing the energy
requirement and carbon
footprint of the cement. The
finished cements are conveyed
to silos for dispatch by tanker or
packed into 25kg bags.
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IRISH CEMENT
PLATIN
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An exciting new development in
Platin will make use of excess heat
from the process to generate up
to 7.5 Megawatts (MW) of electricity
on site. This is equivalent to around
25% of the electricity needs of plant.
This project will reduce annual CO
2
emissions in Platin.
There will be no change to the quantity or
nature of the emissions discharged, other than
they will be at a lower temperature because
the heat contained in the gases will be used to
generate electricity. In effect, existing hot gases
from the process will be diverted through a heat
exchanger or boiler, to generate steam that,
in turn, drives a turbine to generate electricity.
The ‘cooled’ gases will be filtered as normal
before being discharged through the stack.
Platin will be the first cement plant in Ireland
and among the first in Europe to install this
type of technology. The benefits are that Platin
will need less electricity from the grid, will make
better use of existing heat and will improve
competitiveness, helping to secure operations
into the future.
WASTE
HEAT
RECOVERY
An energy efficiency investment.
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PLATIN WILL USE
LESS ELECTRICITY
FROM THE GRID
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REDUCTION
OF ANNUAL
CO
2
EMISSIONS
IRISH CEMENT
PLATIN
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CO-PROCESSING
Our contribution to
the circular economy.
Since 2011, Irish Cement has
contributed to the circular economy
through its recovery and reuse
of discarded resources. The use
of alternative fuels, known as
‘co-processing’, involves the recycling
of materials and recovery of energy:
two processes happening in parallel
inside the kiln.
Co-processing is a “win-win”, it contributes to
improved resource efficiency, by reducing the use
of primary resources including fossil fuels and
it also directly reduces the need for traditional
disposal options like landfill.
In 2012, the average fossil fuel replacement rate
around Europe was 36% with some countries at
much higher levels. In Germany, for example,
the average replacement rate is 62% and some
of the cement plants have replaced 100% of
their fossil fuels. The types of alternative fuels
used in Germany includes tyres, oil, paper pulp,
plastics, animal meal, SRF/RDF, wood, solvents,
sewage sludge.
In 2011, Platin began replacing its fossil fuels
with SRF and by 2014 had achieved 50%
replacement. With the appropriate planning and
licensing, a realistic target for Platin is to achieve
85% fossil fuel replacement. Many of the same
alternative fuels used around Europe like tyres,
solvents and sewage sludge are also available
locally in Ireland. Irish Cement is now planning a
phased programme of additional alternative fuel
introductions in Kiln 2 and Kiln 3 to build on the
success achieved to date and to further enhance
the sustainability of the operations in Platin.
In many European countries, cement plants
are considered to be essential components
Investing in our future
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of national waste management infrastructure,
enhancing recovery and recycling. In Switzerland,
Germany and Sweden, the local cement
industries are actively contributing to the
achievement of high recycling rates, high energy
recovery rates and zero or near-zero landfill rates.
In Ireland, the three Regional Waste
Management Plans, published in 2015,
for the first time recognise the important
role of cement plants like Platin for the
efficient recovery of residual waste.
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IRISH CEMENT
PLATIN
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COAL
Coal has been used in the past
when it was sourced from a range of
overseas locations. It was imported
by ship, delivered to site in trucks,
milled and dried before being used.
Calorific value 24MJ/kg.
FUELS
AT PLATIN
Existing Fossil Fuels
PETCOKE
Petcoke (petroleum coke) is a by-
product of the oil refining industry.
This is currently the main fossil fuel
used in Platin. It is imported by ship,
delivered in trucks, milled and dried
on site before being used. Calorific
value 31MJ/kg.
MJ/kg
24
MJ/kg
31
MJ/kg
18
MJ/kg
15
MJ/kg
27
PETCOKE
SRF
MEAT &
BONEMEAL
TYRES
COAL
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
CALORIFIC VALUE
is a measure of the energy value in a material
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SRF
SRF (Solid Recovered Fuel) is
produced locally to a defined
specification and contains fragments
of plastics, paper, cardboard and
textiles produced from residual
waste materials after the recyclable
fractions are removed. It currently
makes up 50% of the fuel mix
in Platin. Calorific value 18MJ/kg.
TYRES
Tyres consist mainly of rubber
compounds, textiles and small
quantities of wire. Tyres are not
currently used at Platin but plans are
in place to introduce them. The tyres
will be chipped off site before being
delivered to Platin. Calorific value
27MJ/kg.
MEAT AND BONEMEAL
Meat & Bonemeal (MBM) is
produced by rendering, grinding
and sterilising at high temperature
and pressure by-products of the
meat industry. This fuel is produced
off site to a defined chemical and
physical standard for the cement
industry. Currently MBM is not used
at Platin. Calorific value 15MJ/kg.
Existing Permitted Alternative Fuels
IRISH CEMENT
PLATIN
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Emissions from industrial facilities, like cement
plants are tightly controlled under European
Regulations. Experience in Europe, together
with our own experience over the past 5 years,
demonstrates that the emissions do not increase
when we use alternative fuels. All of these
materials can be processed safely in Platin
because of the high operating temperature
which ensures complete consumption. All
materials accepted in Platin are subjected
to testing to ensure they meet the agreed
specifications and comply with strict quality
control standards.
The range of materials has been grouped
into five general categories and includes:
fine, coarse and ‘free-flowing’ solids,
pumpable fluids and alternative raw
materials. The cement industry has
been safely consuming these materials
throughout Europe for more than 35 years.
Irish Cement intends to apply for planning
permission and for a review of the Industrial
Emission (IE) licence in Platin to allow for an
increase in the quantity and range of alternative
fuels (AF) and alternative raw materials (ARM)
to be used in both kilns. A range of materials
have been selected as suitable for Platin
following reference to existing permissions
and guidance by the Environmental Authorities
in Switzerland and Germany. These materials
are already licensed for use by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) for cement production
in Ireland. The use of these additional materials
will advance the fossil fuel replacement
programme in Platin.
ALTERNATIVE FUELS
AND RAW MATERIALS
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FINE SOLIDS
e.g. chipped timber, shredded plastics,
shredded textiles, tyre fluff
Some fuels will be ‘free-flowing’ solids or powders that will be offloaded into sealed silos.
From here, they will be pneumatically conveyed to the kiln burners in enclosed pipelines.
These materials will be prepared off site to a defined specification before being delivered to site.
The materials will typically have a larger particle size (30-120mm) and will be offloaded from
trucks into bunkers inside enclosed halls and then transferred using screw-feeders or overhead
cranes to the kiln feeding system.
These fine materials (typically sized 10-50mm) will be delivered to site, ready to use and
offloaded from trucks into enclosed storage bays or halls from where they will be pneumatically
conveyed to the kiln system. This system will be similar to the existing SRF handling and
feeding system.
These fuels will be delivered by tanker and offloaded using pumps into on site storage tanks
located in bunded areas. The fuels will be pumped to the kiln burners in enclosed pipelines.
These materials can have a variable consistency, from sludges, filter cakes, powders, dust,
etc. They will be stored on site in covered storage areas and conveyed using the existing raw
materials handling and dosing systems. The use of these materials will allow Platin to replace
some of the virgin raw materials it currently consumes.
COARSE SOLIDS
e.g. shredded wood, dry filter cakes,
shredded rubber
FREE-FLOWING SOLIDS
e.g. sewage sludge pellets,
SRF pellets
PUMPABLE FLUIDS
e.g. secondary liquid fuels (SLF),
waste oils, paint sludge
ALTERNATIVE RAW MATERIALS
e.g. water treatment filter cake,
soils and stones
IRISH CEMENT
PLATIN
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ENVIRONMENT
IRISH CEMENT
PLATIN
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Investing in our future
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Platin, like all large industrial facilities,
operates under an Industrial Emission (IE)
licence from the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) and all emissions are strictly
monitored and controlled. The plant also
operates to the international environmental
management standard ISO 14001. Under
the current IE licence, the use of alternative
fuels is permitted in Kiln 3. As part of our
new plans, an application will be submitted
to the EPA for a revision of the existing
licence to increase both the range and
quantity of permitted alternatives fuels and
to allow the introduction of alternative raw
materials in both Kiln 2 and Kiln 3.
The IE licence is based on European Environment
Regulations which set out minimum
temperatures and residence time limits for the
use of waste fuels. Both the temperature and
residence time in our kiln systems significantly
exceed what is required under current Regulations.
When alternative fuels were first introduced to
European cement plants, local communities
naturally had questions about them, particularly
in relation to emissions and traffic. These
concerns were addressed by engaging in open
dialogue and by providing information about the
fuels, the technology and the controls in place.
Furthermore, the successful use of alternative
fuels over time in Europe has contributed to
confidence among the local communities. We
now also have positive experience over the past
five years in Platin to confirm the safe use of
alternative fuels.
Ahead of this proposed increase in alternative
fuel use, detailed monitoring and modelling of
future emissions and traffic have been completed.
This work demonstrates no significant increases
in emissions from our operations and no traffic
impacts on any local roads around Platin.
IRISH CEMENT
PLATIN
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The health and wellbeing of our
employees, visitors and neighbours
is a primary concern for Irish Cement.
All operations in Platin must be carried
out in full compliance with Irish
Cement safety procedures.
For Irish Cement, managing health and
safety at our facilities is our primary concern.
Safety Managers work closely with and assist
managers and supervisors in developing
safety management systems, improving safety
performance and encouraging a ‘Safety Culture’
on site. The activities of our Safety Committee,
which has members from across the workforce,
helps to ensure employee engagement in
eliminating day to day risks and identifying
‘better ways of working’. Safety Statements
provide the necessary detail for safe operations
and work practices on site. Through the use of
risk assessments, safety inductions and regular
safety training, Irish Cement is dedicated to the
ongoing safety of our employees, contractors,
visitors and neighbours. Measurement
and reporting against targets ensures that
safety remains a top priority for workers and
management alike.
Irish Cement’s parent company, CRH, also sets
the highest priority on Health and Safety and
ensures that safety management is a daily
priority for managers in every CRH location.
CRH health and safety management systems
are well established and are regularly reviewed,
taking into account international best practice.
Knowledge-sharing around the CRH Group also
plays an important part in maintaining focus on
safe working practices and elimination of risks.
HEALTH
AND SAFETY
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Investing in our future
IRISH CEMENT
PLATIN
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KEY BENEFITS
OF CO-PROCESSING
ALTERNATIVE FUELS
Increase recovery
of valuable
resources and
reduce landfill
Reduce
dependence
on imported
fossil fuel
Improve
competitiveness
Reduce
CO
2
emissions
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1
High temperatures and long
residence times ensure
complete combustion
2
Extremely efficient at capturing
energy from alternative fuels
3
Produce no residual wastes
ADVANTAGES OF
CEMENT KILNS
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Investing in our future
If you have any questions or would like to discuss any of the information contained within, please contact us.
Irish Cement Limited, Platin, Drogheda, Co. Louth
T
041 987 6000
W
www.irishcement.ie
E
info@irishcement.ie
Printed on recycled paper made from 100% post-consumer waste.
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