Calcining Refractory Minerals - Shaft Kiln Solutions

Pressurised shaft kilns were developed in the 1950s and first introduced to the magnesia industry, in answer to demands for lower fuel consumption, and high burning temperatures and product quality from the calcining process. This article explains how such kilns have developed over the last 50 years, and how, by adopting this technology, bauxite producers can expect to benefit from the same cost and quality benefits experienced by the magnesia industry. Further potential may also exist to extend the use of pressurised shaft kilns to other medium temperature applications, and to minerals such as the sillimanite group and kaolin.