AFS Technology has embarked on many successful projects in the cement industry over the past 12 months. From small retrofit projects to large multi-fuel turnkey system installations, AFS has proven time and again that their quality and value is unmatched in the industry. AFS Technology – Alternative Fuel Systems engineered for industry.
Texas Industries (TXI), Midlothian – Texas Industries (TXI) in Midlothian, Texas, chose AFS Technology to design and install a mid kiln whole tire feed system for one of their existing long wet kilns with provisions to feed a second kiln in the near future. The project was driven primarily by TXI’s need to reduce NOx emissions. The project was a great success – post-installation emissions are down 30 – 40%. The scope of the project included: a trailer tipper, live-bottom hopper, tire separator, tire inspection and rejection, conveying system, accumulation system, mid kiln valve for car and truck size tires, above-kiln valve actuator, weight-based feed rate controls, all electrical equipment, all mechanical, electrical and civil installation, PLC programming, control room interface, startup and commissioning. The system was commissioned in September of 2007.
CEMEX, Puerto Rico – CEMEX Puerto Rico selected AFS Technology to design and supply a dual-fuel, fully automated feed system for their 1.1 mmt/year Ponce, Puerto Rico, plant. The system simultaneously conveys and feeds 6 tph of whole tires to the Tire Injection Machine and 6 tph of chipped tires to the kiln’s Unitherm burner. Both fuel streams utilize trailer tippers and live-bottom hoppers.
Start-up and commissioning of the tire feed system was completed in March 2008.
Lafarge, La Calera – The Lafarge plant in La Calera, Chile, selected AFS Technology to engineer and supply a second suspension burner for their precalciner kiln. The first suspension burner and hook elevator system were designed and installed by AFS president, John Tiernan, when he was with his former employer, TMI Systems. The kiln now burns whole tires simultaneously on the two burners.
Start-up and commissioning of the second burner was completed in October 2007.
Florida Rock Industries, Inc. (Polysius Corp.) – AFS Technology was selected by Florida Rock Industries, Inc. and the Polysius Corporation to supply a fully-automated whole tire feed system for the Florida Rock Thompson S. Baker plant in Newberry, Florida. The AFS system is designed to feed two precalciner kilns, one of which is a new under-construction Polysius 800 tpy kiln line and the other an existing Polysius 800 tpy kiln line.
A 134-foot long truss-framed bridge will span between two preheater towers and support the conveyors delivering whole tires to the kilns. Airlock valves mounted to the riser ducts will feed tires to the kiln feed shelf.
Start-up and commissioning of the system is scheduled for summer 2008.
American Cement Company (Polysius Corp.) – AFS Technology was selected by American Cement Company, LLC and the Polysius Corporation to supply a fully-automated whole tire feed system for the new kiln at the American Cement plant in Sumterville, Florida. An airlock valve mounted to the riser duct will feed tires to the kiln feed shelf.
The scope of the project includes: an electric live-bottom hopper, tire separator, tire inspection and rejection, conveying system, accumulation system, airlock valve, refractory-lined duct, weight-based feed rate controls, all electrical equipment, , PLC programming, startup and commissioning.
Start-up and commissioning of the system is scheduled for summer 2008.
Holcim, Hagerstown – Holcim’s St. Lawrence Cement plant in Hagerstown, Maryland, asked AFS Technology to design and execute the modifications necessary to move the mid kiln valve in their tire fuel system. In an effort to further reduce SOx emissions, the mid kiln valve was relocated approximately 50-feet uphill of its existing location.
This work was accomplished in a 16-day scheduled outage window in February 2008.
Lehigh Cement Company, Evansville – Lehigh Cement Evansville Plant selected AFS Technology to engineer and supply equipment to retrofit their existing mid kiln tire fuel system. In February 2008 AFS supplied a new staging fork and mid kiln valve cam actuator to replace a competitor’s equipment that was not performing well.
CEMEX, Fairborn – CEMEX’s plant in Fairborn, Ohio, selected AFS Technology to provide a test burn system to burn whole tires on the feed shelf of their 4-stage preheater kiln. For the test burn, CEMEX purchased a double-gate airlock valve and a controls package. In order to keep the test burn cost to a minimum, AFS is leasing the plant a loading dock and drag flight conveyor. The system was fully commissioned in June, and test burning is expected to begin in July 2008.
CEMEX TIM Test Burns – CEMEX has partnered with AFS Technology to provide engineering, project management support and equipment supply for a series of test burns at several CEMEX USA locations, including Victorville, CA; Clinchfield, GA; Miami, FL; Demopolis, AL; Louisville, KY; and Brooksville South in Florida. All of the plants will share test burn equipment to feed whole tires on the burner ends of the kilns.
CEMEX, Balcones – The CEMEX Balcones Plant, in New Braunfels, Texas, contracted with AFS Technology to deliver a preliminary engineering package for a whole tire fuel feed system to feed the burner end of one of their kilns. Since completion of preliminary engineering, the scope of the Balcones project has increased to include feeding tires to the burner end of the new Kiln 2 as well.
The scope of the project includes: a trailer tipper, live-bottom hopper, tire separator, tire inspection and rejection, two truss belt conveying systems, two accumulation systems, two tire injection machines, weight-based feed rate controls, all electrical equipment, , PLC programming, startup and commissioning.
AFS Technology’s team of professionals is highly skilled in the development of alternative fuel systems for industrial clients. Expertise in engineering, design, procurement, installation, construction management, start-up and commissioning enables AFS to handle projects of all sizes. AFS Technology is headquartered in
Tipp City, Ohio.
AFS Technology
4060 Gibson Drive
Tipp City, Ohio 45371
(937) 669-3548
info@afstechnology.com
www.afstechnology.com
Mid kiln whole tire fuel at TXI Midlothian Plant
Whole and chipped tires at CEMEX Puerto Rico
Suspension burning whole tires at Lafarge La Calera, Chile
AFS Technology’s double-gate airlock valve
CEMEX Fairborn test burn equipment