>> Burning of cement is an energy consuming process because high temperatures are necessary and large amounts of material have to be processed. The gas analysis at the kiln inlet may help to save energy and to optimize the process and the pollutant emission. An oxygen and carbon monoxide measurement can be used to optimize the burner and a carbon dioxide analysis can be used to control the degree of calcination. The product quality is influenced by the thermal conditions in the kiln which can be controlled by an nitrogen oxide analysis at the kiln inlet.

However, the conditions at the kiln inlet are not simple for gas sampling. Raw meal falls down from the preheater causing very high dust loads. Additionally the probe is mechanically stressed by the falling material and the dust which can bake on the probe. Also high temperatures and corrosive gases will stress the material of the probe.

The sampling system SCP 3000 is optimally adapted to these rugged requirements. It consists of a water-cooled sampling probe with a filter unit which are mounted on a retraction device with dust-proof spindel drive. Due to this the probe can be retracted out of the oven at any time. From time to time a rotation unit insures that raw meal is shaked off from the probe tube. Thus it cannot bake on and the probe seldom needs to be retracted out of the oven and to be manually cleaned. In regular intervalls the interior of the probe and the 0.1 µm-filter element of the filter unit are cleaned automatically by compressed air. The dust is blown back into the process. In total the availabillity of the gas sampling is remarkably increased.

The probe is cooled by a powerful water-water or water-air cooler. The gas temperature in the interior of the probe is held above the acid dew point. Due to this no condensation can occur inside the probe tube or the dust filter. On power failure or disturbances the probe is automatically retracted by a pneumatic motor to prevent it from being damaged. A control and supply cabinet controls all functions as well as the energy and cooling water supply. The probe can be withdrawn and a backflush sequence can be manually initiated by the control cabinet or an on-side panel. A PCL intergrated in the cabinet serves as an interface to a superior control system and to the analyzer cabinet.