Vertical shaft lime kiln

Types of Vertical Shaft Lime Kilns

The main types of vertical shaft lime kiln for sale are the annular shaft lime kiln, the modern vertical kiln, the vertical single shaft kiln, and the double vertical shaft lime kiln. Each of these types has its unique design features and performance characteristics.

• Annular Shaft Lime Kiln: The annular shaft lime kiln is a circular shaft kiln. It has 2 horizontal sections, the upper charging section, and the lower firing section. In this type of kiln, limestone is charged from the top part of the kiln. At the same time, quicklime is discharged from the lower section of the kiln. The annular shaft lime kiln is a top-bottom counter-current lime kiln. Heat sources for this type of kiln are usually coal or oil.
• Modern Vertical Lime Kiln: Modern vertical lime kilns are tall, vertical cylindrical kilns. They are standard lime kilns with a height greater than the base diameter. In many cases, vertical lime kilns are built into circular shaft forms. The modern kiln is environmentally friendly. It can utilize a wide range of fuels and has a great quicklime yield. In addition, the vertical lime kiln is easy to operate continuously or intermittently.
• Vertical Single Shaft Lime Kiln: The vertical single shaft lime kiln is one of the most traditional kiln methods. It is also known as the air-surface parallel flow shaft lime kiln. In the vertical single shaft kiln, lime production takes place by the counter current flow of air and limestone. Heat transfers to the limestone from the top to the bottom of the kiln. The vertical single shaft lime kiln is easy to use and maintain. However, it has low efficiency and uses a large quantity of coal fuel.
• Double Vertical Shaft Lime Kiln: The double vertical shaft lime kiln is a modern improvement. It has 2 vertical lime shafts placed side by side. One of the major advantages of the double vertical shaft lime kiln is the high production capacity and quicklime output. In addition, the fuel use efficiency and economic value of the kiln also increase greatly.

Maintenance

Appropriate maintenance is crucial for a vertical shaft lime kiln because it ensures that the equipment operates optimally, which can help produce high-quality lime and lengthen the equipment's lifespan. Regular checks and maintenance are needed to help quickly spot and fix faults. Some typical vertical shaft lime kiln maintenance requirements include:

• Regular inspections: Typically, there's a scheduled maintenance program for the lime kiln. The program specifies routine checks of the entire structure and essential equipment components. During the inspections, the operator or technician looks for unusual signs, like the emergence of cracks or any structural damage or irregularity, to the kiln body. Typically, any kiln blocks, especially those in the combustion zone, are also checked more routinely to ensure they function optimally. The quick discovery of problems typically prevents more significant damage from developing that would require costly repairs. It also helps to extend the equipment's total lifespan.
• Repair leaking refractories: Another typical vertical shaft lime kiln maintenance requirement is swiftly repairing leaking refractories. Delaying or ignoring this may lead to more significant damage and increased operating costs.
• Lubricate moving parts: Ideally, all vertical lime kilns have some moving parts that typically require regular lubrication. Lubricating the moving parts, such as chains, gears, bearings, and drives, prevents unnecessary friction and wear, extending the components' life span. It may also reduce energy consumption and improve the whole equipment's efficiency.

Usage scenarios of a vertical shaft lime kiln

The vertical shaft kiln lime is an essential industrial machine commonly used in various fields.

• Cement manufacturing industry

  Cement is the primary component for constructing buildings, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects. The vertical shaft lime kiln produces calcium oxide, also known as lime, which is cement's main additive component. The VSKL is often used alongside a lime slaker to manufacture calcium hydroxide, which improves the quality and durability of lime cement.

• Packaging and Glass Manufacturing Industries

  Glass is a primary component used in the packaging industry, especially in the making of bottles. The glass-making industry relies heavily on high-purity limestone for soda-lime glass production. The VSKL remains a crucial piece of machinery for the ongoing production of high-purity quicklime used in glass production.

• Chemical Production Plants

  Several chemical compounds are produced by chemical production plants using quicklime as a primary or supporting raw material. Some of the chemical compounds include calcium carbide, citric acid, and calcium hypochlorite. In places like these, the vertical shaft lime kiln is used to produce quicklime that is further refined to make several chemical compounds.

• Soil Stabilization, Water Treatment, and Air Purification

  Lime plays an essential role in stabilizing soil, treating water, and purifying air. Soil stabilized with lime is commonly used in construction projects to increase load capacity and decrease settlement. Lime can also react with impurities in water to remove them and greatly improve the quality. Additionally, lime is used to remove sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide present in the air. It is a substance highly valued by the VSKLs that can serve multiple purposes in construction, environmental cleaning, and other areas.

How to Choose Vertical Shaft Lime Kilns

When purchasing vertical shaft lime kilns, it is important to consider some features to ensure that they are ideal for business use.

• Optimal Airflow

  A vertical lime kiln with optimal airflow is a great choice because it can efficiently produce quicklime using various types of fuels. The design of the kiln permits the combustion of fuel and the vertical movement of lime materials. The airflow in the kiln happens in a counter current manner. The fuel that is burned moves downwards, while the limestone moves upwards. This design maximizes fuel usage and ensures that all the limestone is adequately processed into quicklime.

• Excellent Stone Feed Control

  The stone feed control in a lime kiln also affects the quality of the end product. Vertical lime kilns with excellent stone feed controls allow precise control of the limestone feed rate and temperature. When the feed rate is just right and there is a perfect balance of temperature, the limestone undergoes calcination completely. Vertical kilns with great stone feed control can feed limestone in batches or continuously. This also enhances productivity and efficiency in the factory.

• Shaft Design

  Vertical lime kilns have different shaft designs, and each one of them has its strengths and suitable use. The traditional oval shaft design is well known and very common. It has an oval shape with two side chambers. The oval kiln is flexible and efficient with fuel usage. The annular kiln design has a circular shaft. It is modern and produces a large amount of limestone. If there is a plan to produce a high output of quicklime, it is a great choice. Aligned vertical shafts are a series of separate shaft chambers. Each of them operates independently. This allows batch processing of limestone. It can also improve the project’s overall productivity. Each of the designs works well under different industrial demands. When choosing, it is important to consider the business's production needs.

• Automation and Control Systems

  Lime production can be a lot easier with vertical kilns that have automatic control systems. The system allows easy supervision of important production parameters like temperature, feed rate, and airflow. Also, with automation and well-developed control systems, vertical lime kilns can be integrated with other factory parts. This results in a productive and efficient workflow.

Q&A

Q1: What fuels are used in a vertical lime kiln?

A1: Vertical lime kilns use various fuels depending on the kiln type, design, and function. Common fuels include coal, petroleum coke, natural gas, wood or biomass, and market petroleum products. Also, some vertical lime kilns use more than one fuel simultaneously.

Q2: How long does the calcination process take in a vertical lime kiln?

A2: The duration of the calcination process in a vertical lime kiln varies. It typically takes between 24 hours and several days, depending on factors like lime stone quality, kiln design, temperature, and lime production requirements.

Q3: What are the maintenance requirements for a vertical lime kiln?

A3: The supplier or equipment manufacturer will provide the specific maintenance requirements for the vertical lime kiln. However, generally, routine maintenance and inspection are necessary to ensure the optimum performance and prolong the equipment life.

Q4: What is the future of vertical lime kilns in lime production?

A4: Vertical lime kilns are expected to remain important in lime production. They have advantages of efficient calcination, high yield, and good quality control. However, horizontal lime kilns also developed rapidly. Meanwhile, the energy consumption and emission of vertical lime kilns need to be controlled. It is important to develop and popularize cleaner production technology and automatic control technology.