Concentrated Solar Cement Kiln

Abstract

The subject invention combines two long-established technologies—cement kilning and solar radiation concentration—to create a new process to kiln cements that will significantly reduce the non-renewable energy consumption and pollution and CO2 generation of current cement kilning methods. The process entails using focused solar radiation to heat closed containers containing cement raw materials to kiln the raw materials to produce cement, including Portland cement.

Claims

1. The scope of this claim is the plan of kilning cement in closed containers principally heated by concentrated solar radiation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0013] The single attached drawing, FIG. 1, illustrates a method of implementing the fundamental concept by carrying closed, rotating, barrels containing the cement raw materials through focused solar radiation. The rotating barrels are shown to be carried on carts on elevated rails with the carts towed by a tractor on adjacent ground-level rails. The motive power for the tractor is not defined and is not significantly important to the fundamental concept. In the concept shown in the attached sketch, the barrel rotation would be accomplished via rollers integral to the rail-mounted carrying carts, with the rollers driven by the turning of the cart wheels. In FIG. 1 the sunlight focusing mirrors are shown in a ground-mounted array surrounding the cart tracks with additional mirrors above the cart path to focus the solar radiation on the cart-carried rotating barrels.

[0014] Brief description of FIG. 2 (Cross section “A” indicated on the upper, plan view figure): In the single attached drawing, FIG. 2 is a side elevation view showing the cement kilning barrels being towed through the concentrated solar focal zone on carts on elevated tracks. FIG. 2 shows downward facing focusing mirrors integral to a roof structure covering the cart rails.

[0015] Brief description of FIG. 3: (Cross section “B” indicated on the upper, plan view figure): In the single attached drawing, FIG. 3 is a front elevation view showing the cement kilning barrels being towed on carts on elevated tracks, with focusing mirrors shown on each side of the tracks and on the underside of the roof structure above the track and carts.

[0016] Specific details not needed to define the invention are not shown or specified in the attached sketch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0017] The unique combination identified herein is the kilning of cement in closed containers principally heated with focused solar radiation.

[0018] The process shown and described entails moving closed containers containing the raw materials through a solar radiation focal zone, with the containers carried on, and being rotated by, carts on an elevated rail.

[0019] As indicated in the attached sketch, it is expected that some amount of supplemental heating is likely to be required. It is expected that this would be provided as the containers pass out of the solar radiation focal zone and that this supplemental heat would likely be via fossil-fueled burners.