Holcim_Germany_DEUEN18-032_Case-Study_EN
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Minimizing the impact on the environment and the local population is a top priority at the Holcim cement plant in Dotternhausen, Germany. Cement production consumes a great deal of energy due to the high temperatures required. That’s why the Holcim cement plant relies on state-of-the-art technology to achieve its ambitious environmental and energy-efficiency goals.
A chiller from Daikin featuring leading-edge technologies designed ensure high energy efficiency and low energy costs is helping the company meet these goals.
"The chiller is helping us achieve the environmental and energy-efficiency goals of Holcim Süddeutschland GmbH) at the Dotternhausen cement plant. These Include reducing harmful emissions, especially CO2 emissions, conserving natural resources and increasing energy efficiency."
- Stephen Mocker, Holcim (Süddeutschland) GmbH
Challenging requirements for cooling and reliability, as well as installation
Holcim has relied on Daikin technology in its server and transformer rooms for many years. In 2016, the company also began using a chiller from Daikin to neutralize the heat that the cement mill generates during grinding operations on drives, bearings and on the hydraulic circuit as well as to cool the compressors in the central compressed-air station. These applications place high demands on chiller performance, since the material is previously heated to 1400 °C in the rotary kiln.
The installation of the chiller took place under difficult conditions, with the technicians having only three hours to integrate it. In the event of a prolonged stoppage, the air compressors become overheated and switch off – shutting down operations, since the plant’s systems cannot run without compressed air. Daikin’s plug-and-play solutions enabled these challenging demands to be met, with systems supplied ready for installation and operation.
Reducing the cement plant’s CO2 emissions
As a binder for concrete, cement is an integral part of our lives, which is found in everything from roads to factory, office and residential buildings. Holcim focuses on making cement and binder from fired oil shale – a production process that cuts CO2 emissions. Clinker production consumes a great deal of energy due to the high temperatures needed to burn the limestone, making it difficult to optimise the production process in terms of energy consumption.
Holcim nevertheless wants to live up to its environmental responsibility by giving top priority to the use of energy-efficient systems. The company is upgrading its existing systems in a targeted manner, while focusing on enhancing efficiency for new investments.
Daikin chillers offer outstanding operation while also minimising energy consumption.
