Alternative Control Techniques Document 

Update - NOx Emissions from New Cement 

Kilns 

EPA-453/R-07-006 

November 2007 

Alternative Control Techniques Document Update – 

NOx Emissions from New Cement Kilns

By: 

Bill Neuffer, Project Officer 

Metals and Minerals Group 

and 

Mike Laney 

Research Triangle Institute. 

Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 

Contract No. EP-D-06-118

Work Assignment No. 1-22 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards 

Sector Policies and Programs Division 

Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 
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iii 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

1.0 INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE............................................................................................ 1 

2.0 SUMMARY........................................................................................................................ 3 

2.1 Process Description................................................................................................. 3 

2.2 NOx Emissions from Preheater/Precalciner (PH/PC) Kilns.................................... 3 

2.3 Factors Affecting NOx Emissions........................................................................... 3 

2.4 Process controls that Reduce NOx Emissions......................................................... 4 

2.5 Staged Combustion ................................................................................................. 5 

2.6 Selective Noncatalytic Reduction (SNCR)............................................................. 5 

2.7 Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR)...................................................................... 7 

2.8 Multipollutant Effects ............................................................................................. 9 

2.9 Costs – SNCR and SCR........................................................................................ 10 

3.0 PROCESS DESCRIPTION .............................................................................................. 11 

3.1 Process Steps And Operations .............................................................................. 11 

3.2 New Kilns ............................................................................................................. 12 

3.2.1 Preheater ................................................................................................... 15 

3.2.2 Calciner..................................................................................................... 16 

3.2.3 Rotary Kiln................................................................................................ 20 

3.2.4 Alkali Bypass – PH/PC Kiln Systems ...................................................... 22 

3.3 References............................................................................................................. 23 

4.0 NOx EMISSIONS FROM PH/PC KILNS ........................................................................ 25 

4.1 Thermal NOx ......................................................................................................... 25 

4.2 Fuel NOx ............................................................................................................... 27 

4.3 Feed NOx .............................................................................................................. 28 

4.4 Prompt NOx........................................................................................................... 28 

4.5 References............................................................................................................. 28 

5.0 FACTORS AFFECTING NOX EMISSIONS................................................................... 31 

6.0 PROCESS CONTROLS THAT REDUCE NOX EMISSIONS........................................ 33 

6.1 Combustion Zone Control of Temperature and Excess Air.................................. 33 

6.2 Feed Mix Composition ......................................................................................... 33 

6.3 Kiln Fuel ............................................................................................................... 34 

6.4 Increasing Thermal Efficiency.............................................................................. 34 

6.5 Staged Combustion in Kiln................................................................................... 34 

6.6 Efficient Cooler Control ....................................................................................... 34 

6.7 Expert Control Systems ........................................................................................ 35 

6.8 Low NOx Burners (LNB) in Kiln.......................................................................... 35 

6.9 References............................................................................................................. 36 

7.0 STAGED COMBUSTION ............................................................................................... 37 

7.1 Staged Combustion in the Calciner (SCC) Mechanism........................................ 37 

7.2 Three Types of SCC.............................................................................................. 39 

7.2.1 Staged-Air................................................................................................. 39 

7.2.2 Air and Fuel Staging ................................................................................. 40 

7.2.3 Sequenced Fuel and Air............................................................................ 41 
iv 

7.3 Summary of SCC NOx Performance..................................................................... 42 

7.4 Limitations of Multistage Combustion (MSC) – High Sulfur.............................. 44 

7.5 References............................................................................................................. 44 

8.0 SELECTIVE NONCATALYTIC REDUCTION (SNCR)............................................... 47 

8.1 Basis of SNCR ...................................................................................................... 47 

8.2 Equipment Needed for SNCR............................................................................... 47 

8.3 Appropriate Temperature for SNCR..................................................................... 48 

8.3.1 Location of Suitable Temperature ............................................................ 49 

8.4 Other Factors Affecting SNCR............................................................................. 50 

8.4.1 Residence Time......................................................................................... 50 

8.4.2 Degree of Mixing...................................................................................... 51 

8.4.3 Uncontrolled NOx ..................................................................................... 51 

8.4.4 Normalized Stoichiometric Ratio (NSR).................................................. 52 

8.5 Potential Problems with SNCR............................................................................. 53 

8.6 SNCR Experience ................................................................................................. 54 

8.6.1 United States – Early Tests....................................................................... 54 

8.6.2 U.S. Plants Presently Using or Installing SNCR ...................................... 57 

8.6.3 SNCR – Foreign Experience – Europe, Japan, Taiwan............................ 70 

8.7 Summary of SNCR Performance.......................................................................... 72 

8.8 References............................................................................................................. 73 

9.0 MULTISTAGE COMBUSTION (MSC) AND SELECTIVE NONCATALYTIC 

REDUCTION (SNCR) ..................................................................................................... 79 

9.1 References............................................................................................................. 82 

10.0 SELECTIVE CATALYTIC REDUCTION (SCR) .......................................................... 85 

10.1 Process Description............................................................................................... 85 

10.2 Equipment Needed for SCR.................................................................................. 86 

10.3 Early Pilot Tests.................................................................................................... 87 

10.3.1 USA........................................................................................................... 87 

10.3.2 Europe....................................................................................................... 88 

10.4 SCR Installations .................................................................................................. 88 

10.4.1 Solnhofen – Germany ............................................................................... 88 

10.4.2 Cementeria di Monselice – Italy............................................................... 91 

10.4.3 Italcementi Sarche di Calavino – Italy...................................................... 92 

10.5 Issues/Solutions Using SCR at Cement Kilns ...................................................... 92 

10.5.1 SO2 Oxidation ........................................................................................... 93 

10.5.2 High CaO Loading and Potential Masking – CaSO4 Formation .............. 94 

10.5.3 Ammonium Bisulfate................................................................................ 94 

10.5.4 Water Soluble Alkali – Alkali Poisoning – Catalyst Deactivation........... 94 

10.5.5 Catalytic Deactivation Due to Catalyst Poisoning.................................... 95 

10.5.6 Catalyst Plugging and Fouling Due to High Dust Loading and 

Depositing of “Sticky Materials”.............................................................. 95 

10.5.7 NOx Inlet Variability/NH3 Slip ................................................................. 96 

10.5.8 Temperature-Related Factors Leading to Lower SCR NOx

Removal Efficiencies................................................................................ 96 

10.6 Developmental Technologies................................................................................ 97 
v 

10.7 References............................................................................................................. 97 

11.0 MULTIPOLLUTANT ASPECTS OF SELECTIVE NONCATALYTIC 

REDUCTION (SNCR) AND SELECTIVE CATALYTIC REDUCTION (SCR) ........ 101 

11.1 References........................................................................................................... 102 

12.0 SNCR AND SCR COSTS .............................................................................................. 103 

12.1 References........................................................................................................... 115 

APPENDIX A – Best Available Control Technology (BACT)/ Reasonably Available 

Control Technology (RACT)/ Lowest Available Emission Rate (LAER) 

Determinations 
vi 

LIST OF TABLES 

Table Page 

2-1 Uncontrolled NOx Emissions (pounds per ton [lb/t]) by Kiln Type ................................... 4 

2-2 Summary of NOx Performance of SCC .............................................................................. 5 

2-3 SNCR Summary.................................................................................................................. 7 

2-4 SCR Tests – Cementerie di Monselice ............................................................................... 9 

2-5 Cost Effectiveness and Cost Burden of SNCR and SCR Systems ................................... 10 

3-1 Cement Kiln Capacities (mt/yr)........................................................................................ 13 

3-2 Operating Conditions – PH/PC Kilns ............................................................................... 13 

3-3 Heat Input by Cement Kiln Type...................................................................................... 13 

6-1 Uncontrolled NOx Emissions (lb/t) – Cement Kilns......................................................... 36 

7-1 Parameters Affecting NOx and Staged Combustion Responses ....................................... 38 

7-2 NOx Emissions Performance of Selected Cement Plants ................................................. 43 

7-3 Summary of NOx Performance of SCC ............................................................................ 44 

8-1 Suitable Temperatures for SNCR ..................................................................................... 48 

8-2 Summary of Pilot Test Results for Ash Grove and LaFarge ............................................ 57 

8-3 NOx Reductions (%) for Lines at Holcim, Midlothian, Texas.......................................... 59 

8-4 BACT Determinations – Suwannee American Cement, Branford, Florida, 11/05 .......... 67 

8-5 Emission Test Results with Tires – Florida Rock Industries, Newberry, Florida, 

12/04 ................................................................................................................................. 67 

8-6 Emission Test Results without Tires – Florida Rock Industries, Newberry, 

Florida, 12/04.................................................................................................................... 68 

8-7 SNCR at a Taiwan Cement Plant...................................................................................... 72 

8-8 SNCR Summary................................................................................................................ 73 

9-1 Effect of SNCR on Emissions with Staged Combustion.................................................. 80 

9-2 Impact of Injecting Ammonia in Burnout Zone ............................................................... 80 

9-3 Impact of Injecting Ammonia in Reducing Zone ............................................................. 81 

10-1 SCR Tests – 2006 – Cementerie di Monselice ................................................................. 91 

11-1 Potential Multipollutant Effects of SNCR and SCR....................................................... 101 

12-1 SNCR and SCR Costs for Preheater/Precalciner Kilns .................................................. 105 

12-2 SNCR and SCR Costs for Preheater/Precalciner Kilns in 2005 Dollars ........................ 111 
vii 

LIST OF FIGURES 

Figure Page 

3-1 Primary operations – PH/PC kiln cement plant ................................................................ 11 

3-2 Primary operations – PH/PC cement kiln plant ................................................................ 12 

3-3 PH/PC kiln – Suwannee American Cement, Branford, Florida........................................ 14 

3-4 PH/PC kiln system. ........................................................................................................... 14 

3-5 F.L. Schmidt ILC kiln system........................................................................................... 18 

3-6 F.L. Schmidt SLC with single-string preheater ................................................................ 19 

3-7 F.L. Schmidt SLC with dual-string preheater................................................................... 20 

4-1 NO vs. temperature at various O2 levels........................................................................... 26 

7-1 Principle of NOx reduction by SCC.................................................................................. 38 

7-2 Suwannee American Cement, Branford, Florida, staged-air SCC.................................... 39 

7-3 Suwannee American, Branford, Florida, Polysius MSC – SCC with kiln inlet 

burner ................................................................................................................................ 40 

7-4 Florida Rock Industries, Newberry, Florida, air and fuel staging – SCC......................... 40 

7-5 Titan America, Medley, Florida, sequenced fuel and air – SCC ...................................... 41 

8-1 Ammonia and urea reduction at various temperatures ..................................................... 49 

8-2 Possible SNCR injection points........................................................................................ 50 

8-3 NOx reduction and residence time .................................................................................... 51 

8-4 Effect of initial NOx level on reduction efficiency ........................................................... 52 

8-5 Impact of Normalized Stoichiometric Ratio on NOx reduction........................................ 53 

8-6 Suwannee American Cement – Branford, Florida............................................................ 62 

8-7 SNCR injection location – Suwannee American Cement, Branford, Florida................... 63 

8-8 Ammonia injection, Suwannee American Cement........................................................... 64 

8-9 Suwannee American Cement ammonia injection nozzle.................................................. 65 

9-1 NH3 injection – burnout zone............................................................................................ 80 

9-2 NH3 injection – reducing zone .......................................................................................... 81 

10-1 SCR system adjacent to preheater tower at Solnhofen Portland cement plant................. 87 
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1.0 INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE 

This report addresses nitrogen oxides (NOx) controls for new cement kilns and focuses 

specifically on staged combustion in the calciner (SCC), selective noncatalytic reduction 

(SNCR), and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) as processes for the control of NOx. Practices 

and controls that are incorporated in normal operating processes for cement kilns will also be 

discussed. Previous EPA documents on NOx controls for cement kilns include Alternative 

Control Techniques Document - NOx Emissions from Cement Manufacturing, dated March 1994 

(EPA-453/R-94-004) and available online at www.epa.gov/ttn/catc/dir1/cement.pdf, and NOx

Control Technologies for the Cement Industry, dated September 19, 2000, and available online at 

www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/ozone/ozonetech/cement_nox_update_09152000.pdf. 

This report summarizes information controls for new cement kilns; therefore, this 

document addresses only preheater/precalciner (PH/PC) cement kilns because these are the only 

type of kiln expected to be built in the future. For details on the other kiln types (e.g., wet kilns 

and long dry kilns) and their NOx controls, please review the two EPA documents mentioned 

above. 

This report is organized as follows: 

Chapter 2 Summary 

Chapter 3 Process Description 

Chapter 4 NOx Emissions from PH/PC Cement Kilns 

Chapter 5 Factors Affecting NOx Emissions 

Chapter 6 Process Controls that Reduce NOx Emissions 

Chapter 7 Staged Combustion 

Chapter 8 Selective Noncatalytic Reduction (SNCR) 

Chapter 9 Multistage Combustion (MSC) and Selective Noncatalytic 

Reduction (SNCR) 

Chapter 10 Selective Catalytic Reduction 

Chapter 11 Multipollutant Aspects of SNCR and SCR 

Chapter 12 SNCR and SCR Costs 

Other technologies for lowering NOx emissions from new cement kilns have been 

discussed in other documents. However, these technologies have not been demonstrated for any 

cement kiln. For example, NOx oxidation (LoTOxTM) technology has been considered as a 

control. Additional information on this and other technologies not discussed in this report can be 

found at the following Web sites: 

 http://seca.doe.gov/publications/proceedings/00/scr00/ANDERSON.PDF 

 http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/implementation/air/sip/BSA_settle.html 

 http://files.harc.edu/Projects/AirQuality/Projects/H028.DFW.2004/H28DFWExecutiv

eSummary.pdf 
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2.0 SUMMARY 

This section summarizes the information contained in this report. The reader is 

encouraged to read the complete chapters to obtain a more thorough understanding. 

2.1 PROCESS DESCRIPTION 

To produce cement clinker, raw materials are first quarried and crushed and then ground 

to a fine powder. The raw materials that contain the appropriate components needed to produce 

clinker are typically limestone, sand or silica, clays, mill scale, and fly ash. The major 

component of cement raw materials is limestone, which has a high concentration of calcium 

carbonate (CaCO3). Once the raw materials have been inter-ground into powder form, the 

powder is stored in blending silos prior to its introduction into the kiln system. Blending renders 

the ground materials physically uniform and acceptable as feed to the kiln. 

This report covers only preheater/precalciner (PH/PC) kilns, which have been available 

since 1970. All new cement kilns are this type primarily due to energy savings and greater 

throughput capacities compared to other kiln types. PH/PC kiln systems are so named because 

certain manufacturing processes (heating and calcination [driving off of the carbon dioxide] of 

the raw materials) take place in sections outside the rotary kiln proper (therefore, the prefix “pre” 

is used when describing the kiln type). The capacities of PH/PC kilns range from 450,000 to 

1,580,000 metric tons per year (mt/yr) (495,000 to 1,740,000 tons per year [t/yr]), with an 

average of 869,000 mt/yr (956,000 t/yr). A diagram of a PH/PC system is shown in Section 3.2. 

2.2 NOX EMISSIONS FROM PREHEATER/PRECALCINER (PH/PC) KILNS 

The high temperatures and oxidizing atmosphere required for cement manufacturing 

favor NOx formation. In cement kilns, NOx emissions are formed during fuel combustion by two 

primary mechanisms: 

1. The oxidation of molecular nitrogen present in combustion air (thermal NOx) 

2. The oxidation of nitrogen compounds in fuel (fuel NOx). 

Sometimes, the raw material feed may also contain nitrogen compounds, which may lead 

to feed NOx similar to fuel NOx. Because of the high temperatures involved in burning or clinker 

formation, thermal NOx is the dominant mechanism for NOx formation in kiln systems. 

2.3 FACTORS AFFECTING NOX EMISSIONS 

High temperatures are necessary for the required clinkering reactions to take place in the 

cement kiln. If a kiln’s temperature drops too low, the clinker formation reactions will stop, and 

because these reactions are exothermic, the temperature will drop even further. The temperature 

must be raised by increasing the energy (fuel) input to the kiln. Once the clinkering formation 

reactions start again, the temperature will increase very rapidly, again requiring an adjustment of 

fuel input. These process variations, which result in temperature variations, are normal in cement 

kiln operations and can produce significant variations in NOx emissions. 
4 

The kiln flame temperature is higher for gas burners than for coal burners as the flame 

temperature is higher for gas combustion than for coal combustion. By far, coal is the 

predominant fuel used in cement kilns. In addition to temperature variations that can initiate 

thermal NOx formation, fuels with higher nitrogen content will have more nitrogen available for 

fuel NOx formation. Changes in the feed rate, chemical composition, or moisture content of raw 

materials can also change a kiln’s operating parameters. 

2.4 PROCESS CONTROLS THAT REDUCE NOX EMISSIONS 

The primary goal of process controls is to stabilize process parameters and kiln 

conditions. The process controls used to stabilize kiln operations also improve energy efficiency 

by reducing heat consumption, improve clinker quality, and increase the life of the cement plant. 

Another beneficial effect of process controls is the reduction of NOx emissions because of 

improved fuel efficiency. 

When determining uncontrolled NOx emissions, the following standard operating practice 

(SOP) components should be considered. These SOPs are incorporated by all new PH/PC kiln 

systems. 

 Combustion zone control of temperature and excess air through continuous 

monitoring of temperature and excess air 

 Feed mix composition 

 Kiln fuel type 

 Increased thermal efficiency 

 Staged combustion in kiln 

 Efficient cooler control 

 Expert control systems 

 Low NOx burners in the kiln. 

As shown in Table 2-1, uncontrolled NOx emissions from PH/PC cement kilns are lower 

than for other kiln types. PH/PC kilns have lower NOx emission rates than other cement kiln 

types because they burn more fuel at the calcining temperature. They are also the most energy 

efficient kiln type. Uncontrolled emissions for the other kiln types are 55–155% higher than the 

PH/PC kiln system. Based on AP-42 emission factors for the various kiln types, these differences 

range from 14 to 76%. 

Table 2-1. Uncontrolled NOx Emissions (pounds per ton [lb/t]) by Kiln Type 

Kiln Type Range 

Average/ Percent Higher 

than PH/PC Kiln 

AP-42/ percent Higher 

than PH/PC Kiln 

Wet 3.6–19.5 9.7 /155 7.4 /76 

Long Dry 6.1–10.5 8.6 /126 6.0 /43 

Preheater 2.5–11.7 5.9 /55 4.8 /14 

PH/PC 0.9–7.0 3.8 /---- 4.2 /---- 
5 

2.5 STAGED COMBUSTION 

There are many ways a PH/PC kiln system is considered to be using staged combustion 

(SC). The processes of the PH/PC kiln system itself, which include the drying, calcining, and 

sintering of the raw materials, can be considered SC. Also, a kiln with a multi-channel main kiln 

burner with indirect firing incorporates SC. All calciners have some degree of SC. The use of 

low NOx calciners, which inject fuel near the kiln inlet, is a form of SC. Staged combustion as 

discussed in this report refers to SC in the calciner (SCC). 

SCC works by staging the introduction of fuel, combustion air, and feed material in a 

manner to minimize NOx formation and reduce NOx to nitrogen. NOx formed in the kiln’s 

combustion zone is chemically reduced by maintaining a reducing atmosphere at the kiln feed 

end by firing fuel in this region. The reducing atmosphere is maintained in the calciner region by 

controlling combustion air such that the calcining fuel is first burned under reducing conditions 

to reduce NOx and then burned under oxidizing conditions to complete the combustion reaction. 

Controlling the introduction of raw meal allows for control of the calciner temperature. Through 

these mechanisms, both fuel NOx and thermal NOx are controlled. The combustion chamber 

allows for improved control over the introduction of tertiary air in the calciner region, which 

helps to promote the proper reducing environment for NOx control. 

The performance at U.S. kilns of SCC in controlling NOx is summarized in Table 2-2. 

Levels of NOx from PH/PC kilns using SCC range from1.4 to 3.3 lb NOx/t of clinker, with an 

average of approximately 2.5 lb/t of clinker. 

Table 2-2. Summary of NOx Performance of SCC in U.S. Kilns 

2.6 SELECTIVE NONCATALYTIC REDUCTION (SNCR) 

The SNCR process is basically the injection of ammonia in the form of ammonia water or 

urea in the flue-gas at a suitable temperature. An ammonia solution (~20%) is the reagent that 

Source/Location 

NOx

Uncontrolled 

(lb/t) NOx Controlled (lb/t) Efficiency 

11 US kilns(from Table 7-2) NA 2.2–3.3 (avg. 2.7) NA 

Florida Rock 3.5 3.0 -w/o tires 

1.5–2.5 (midpoint 2.0) –w/ tires 

17% -w/o tires 

43% -w/ tires 

Suwannee American NA 2.2–2.6 (range) 

(midpoint 2.4) 

NA 

Titan American NA 2.0 NA 

Lone Star 2.8 1.8 35% 

Cemex Santa Cruz NA 2.5 (0% coal to reducing zone) 

1.7 (50% coal to reducing zone) 

1.4 (100% coal to reducing zone) 

(midpoint 1.8) 

NA 
6 

has been most often used for cement kilns, and experience indicates that an ammonia solution is 

most effective for PH/PC cement kiln applications. 

An SNCR system’s performance depends on temperature, residence time, turbulence, 

oxygen content, and a number of factors specific to the given gas stream. These factors are 

discussed later in this report. SNCR removes NOx by a two-step process, as follows: 

 4 NO + 4 NH3 + O2 Æ 4 N2 + 6 H2O 

and 

 4 NH3 + 2 NO2 + O2 Æ 3 N2 + 6 H2O 

The first equation is the predominant reaction because 90–95% of NOx in flue gas is NO. 

Onsite storage vessels and a truck-unloading stand are required to receive the delivery of 

ammonia or urea to a plant. Ammonia and urea may be received as a liquid solution or may be 

mixed with water onsite to the desired solution concentration. If mixed onsite, additional water 

storage, purification, pumping, and mixing equipment is required. The purification system 

removes minerals from the water that may cause plugging of the ammonia delivery system. 

Ammonia, in the form of anhydrous ammonia gas, must be stored in cylinders. All forms of 

ammonia have specific transportation, handling, and storage requirements. 

The ammonia solution is pumped through pipes and delivered into the precalciner or 

preheater tower through an injection lance. This injection process requires a pump, pump skid, 

and ammonia-flow control unit. The exact location and number of injection points will differ 

from one system to the next and is optimized through testing. Measurement equipment is 

necessary to maintain the appropriate ammonia feed rate. Additional monitoring equipment is 

required to record the amount of NOx and ammonia slip in the gases exiting the SNCR system to 

adjust the amount of ammonia entering the system. Temperature monitors are also required to 

make sure that the ammonia is delivered to the correct location. 

Important design and operational factors that affect NOx reduction by an SNCR system 

are the following: 

 Residence time available in optimum temperature range 

 Degree of mixing between injected reagent and combustion gases 

 Uncontrolled NOx concentration level 

 Molar ratio of injected reagent to uncontrolled NOx. 

Further adjustments to SNCR can be employed under certain conditions, such as less 

aggressive versions of SCC (higher controlled baseline), raw material NH3 or sulfur, and high 

petcoke use. These adjustments can include such measures as multi-level reagent injection and 

fine hydrated lime mist injection in the conditioning tower. With NOx emission levels of 2.2 lb/t 

achievable with SCC, the addition of SNCR has the potential to lower emissions at an NSR of 

0.5. 
7 

Table 2-3 summarizes the performance of PH/PC cement kilns (except the Cemex plant, 

which has a preheater kiln) that have installed SNCR systems. Most SNCR systems use an 

ammonia solution. It appears that an emission level of 1.9 to 4.0 lb/t of clinker is achieved with 

an NSR of about 0.5. At a higher NSR ratio of about1.0, NOx could be reduced to around 1.0 to 

2.5 lb/t of clinker. Uncontrolled NOx (after SCC, LNB in the kiln and process controls) is 2.2 lb/t 

of clinker. On average, SNCR achieves approximately a 35% reduction at an NSR of 0.5 and a 

63% reduction at an NSR of 1.0. Ammonia slip may be a problem as the normalized 

stoichiometric ratio (NSR) is increased. 

New NOx limits now apply to European kilns that burn alternative fuels. The limits are 

applied on a sliding scale from 200 to 500 mg/m3

 (~0.9–2.3 lb/t) on a 24-hr basis based on 

burning 100% to 60% alternative fuels. Expected updates of European studies in 2007 will likely 

show better performance than shown in Table 2-3; however, there are differences between 

cement production in Europe and the United States that make direct comparison of European and 

U.S. standards difficult, such as greater use of alternative fuels and differences in averaging 

times. It should be noted that converting emission concentrations (mg/Nm3) used in Europe to 

emission rates per ton lb/t clinker can produce different values for different kilns due to 

differences in gas flows per ton of clinker produced. 

Table 2-3. SNCR Summary 

Plant/Source 

Control Level 

(lb/t) 

Efficiency 

(%) NSR 

3 European kilns NA 25–50; 35–60; 42–72 0.6; 0.8; 1.0 

Ash Grove, Seattle 2.2; 1.3 25; 55 0.5; 1.0 

Hercules, PA 300 ppm ~3.0 12–25 NA 

Cemex; FL-preheater kiln 2.0 50 0.6–0.7 

Suwannee American 2.0 33–50 NA 

Florida Rock without tires 1.9; 2.6 47; 29 0.47; 0.35 

Florida Rock with tires 2.1 34 0.12–0.25 

Holcim – Texas (2 kilns) NA 47, 32 0.7 

European Report-achievable 1.0 80–85 NA 

European Report - actual operation 2.5–4.0 10–50 0.5–0.9 

Skovde, Sweden 0.5–1.0 80–85 1.0–1.1 

Slite, Sweden 1.1 80 1.0 

Taiwan-2 kilns 194ppm; 284 ppm ~2.0; 2.9 50; 46 NA 

2.7 SELECTIVE CATALYTIC REDUCTION (SCR) 

SCR is the process of adding ammonia or urea in the presence of a catalyst to selectively 

reduce NOx emissions from exhaust gases. The SCR process has been used extensively on gas 

turbines, internal combustion (IC) engines, and fossil fuel-fired utility boilers. In the SCR 

system, anhydrous ammonia, usually diluted with air or steam or aqueous ammonia solution, is 

injected through a catalyst bed to reduce NOx emissions. A number of catalyst materials have 
8 

been used, such as titanium dioxide, vanadium pentoxide, and zeolite-based materials. The 

catalyst is typically supported on ceramic materials (e.g., alumina in a honeycomb monolith 

form) and promotes the NOx reduction reactions by providing a site for these reactions to occur. 

The catalyst is not consumed in the process, but allows the reactions to occur at a lower 

temperature. 

The optimum temperature for the catalyst reactions depends on the specific catalyst used. 

Several different catalysts are available for use at different exhaust gas temperatures. Base metal 

catalysts are useful between 450 °F and 800 °F (232 °C and 427 °C). For high temperature 

operations (675 °F [357 °C] to over 1100 °F [593 °C] ), zeolite catalysts containing precious 

metals such as platinum and palladium are useful. The two principal reactions in the SCR 

process at cement plants using SCR are the following: 

 4 NH3+ 4 NO + O2 Æ 4 N2 + 6 H2O 

 and 

 4 NH3 + 2 NO2 + O2 Æ 3 N2 + 6 H2O 

The first equation is the predominant reaction because90-95% of NOx in flue gas is NO. 

It is important to note that the desired chemical reactions are identical with SNCR and 

SCR. The only difference is that a catalyst is present with SCR, which allows the reactions to 

occur at a lower temperature. 

In an SCR system, ammonia is typically injected to produce a NH3: NOx molar ratio of 

1.05–1.1:1 to achieve a NOx conversion of 80–90% with an ammonia slip of about 10 ppm of 

unreacted ammonia in gases leaving the reactor. The NOx removal efficiency depends on the flue 

gas temperature, the molar ratio of ammonia to NOx, and the flue gas residence time in the 

catalyst bed. All these factors must be considered in designing the desired NOx reduction, the 

appropriate reagent ratios, the catalyst bed volume, and the operating conditions. As with SNCR, 

the appropriate temperature window must be maintained to assure that ammonia slip does not 

result in a visible plume. 

SCR can be installed at a cement kiln at two possible locations: 

 After the PM control device – a “low-dust” system 

 After the last cyclone without ducting – a “high-dust” system. 

The advantages of a “low-dust” system are longer catalyst life and lower danger of 

blockage. The disadvantage is the additional energy costs required to heat the cooled exhaust to 

achieve proper reaction temperatures in the catalyst. 

On a worldwide basis, three cement kilns have used SCR: Solnhofen Zementwerkes in 

Germany and Cementeria di Monselice and Italcementi Sarche di Calavino in Italy. The SCR 

system was operated at the Solnhofen plant from 2001 to January 2006, at which time the plant 

began using SNCR to compare the operational costs of the two systems to evaluate which 

technology is better and more economical. Both Solnhofen and Cementeria di Monselice have 
9 

preheater kilns. The Italcementi plant operates a small Polysius Lepol technology kiln, which is a 

traveling grate preheater kiln. A picture of the Solnhofen installation is shown in section 10.4. 

Both plants use a 25% aqueous ammonia solution, have 6 catalyst layers but only use 3 

layers. Both plants have similar designs and facilities that are similar in size and raw materials. 

At Solnhofen, 200 mg/m3 (~ 0.8 lb/t) of NOx is typically achieved from an inlet of 

1,050 mg/Nm3 (4.2 lb/t) or 80% control. Also, ammonia slip was less than 1 mg/m3. Greater than 

80% control is frequently achieved. At the end of 2003, the catalyst had logged 20,000–25,000 

hours with no discernable problems. The catalyst was guaranteed for 16,000 hrs, with an 

expected catalyst life of 3–4 yrs. 

The SCR system at Cementeria di Monselice in Bergamo, Italy began operation in June 

2006. Catalyst activity remains high after 3,500 hours of operation. Following startup in June 

2006, continuous testing was conducted for six weeks. The results of these tests are summarized 

in Table 2-4. As shown here, NOx reduction was 95 % at molar ratio of 0.89 and 43 % at molar 

ratio of 0.2. The facility operates at 400 mg NOx/Nm3. 

Table 2-4. SCR Tests – Cementerie di Monselice 

Parameter Units Design Actual* 

Kiln capacity t/day 2,400 1,800 

Gas flow m3/h norm; wet 160,000 110,000 

NOx inlet mg/dscm 2,260 1,530/1,070 

Molar ratio NH3/NOx 0.905 0.89/0.2 

NOx outlet mg/dscm @ actual O2 232 75/612 

NOx removal percent 90 95/43 

NH3 slip mg/dscm < 5 < 1/< 1 

NH4OH 25 percent solution; kg/h 445 204/34 

* Two separate sets of data were collected for most parameters. 

2.8 MULTIPOLLUTANT EFFECTS 

The impacts of using SNCR and SCR controls on other pollutants can depend on the 

specific installation, including the nature of raw materials, kiln design and operating conditions. 

In general, for SNCR, emissions of NH3, N2O, CO, CO2, and PM10 may increase. For SCR, PM10

emissions may increase. Ammonia emissions may increase but not as much as for SNCR. In 

systems with higher SO2 emissions due to high sulfur content of raw materials, the conversion to 

SO3 by SCR can cause the additional effects of either sticky depostis or acid formation. For SCR, 

emissions of CO, H2SO4, Hg, VOC and dioxin/furan may decrease. 
10 

2.9 COSTS – SNCR AND SCR 

Costs for SNCR and SCR controls on PH/PC kilns were obtained from a variety of 

sources at cement kilns in the U.S. and Europe. Some costs represent the cost of retrofitting 

existing kilns. To compare the cost information, the costs were scaled to 2005. 

Capital costs for SNCR systems primarily include the cost of an injection system for the 

ammonia-based or urea-based reagent, the delivery system, reagent storage tanks, and control 

instrumentation. Operating costs include the costs of reagents and additives, electricity for 

reagent pumping, and fuel penalty cost, along with operating labor and maintenance 

requirements. The primary annual cost component is ammonia. Cost effectiveness and cost 

burden for SNCR systems are summarized in Table 2-5. 

SCR systems applied to cement PH/PC kilns can be either “low-dust” or “high-dust” 

systems depending on their location after or before the particulate matter control device. In both 

types of systems, capital costs include the cost of the SCR catalyst and reactor, the costs to 

upgrade or replace kiln ID fans when SCR is added to existing PH/PC kilns, and, like the SNCR 

system, the costs of the reagent delivery system, storage, and instrumentation. Because of the 

problems of catalyst plugging, the high-dust system requires a catalyst cleaning mechanism, such 

as pressurized air nozzles or sonic horns. The low-dust system avoids costs associated with 

catalyst cleaning. Similar to SNCR, operating costs include operating labor and maintenance 

costs, reagent costs, and the electricity of reagent pumping. High-dust SCR systems incur higher 

energy costs for catalyst cleaning. Operating cost also include catalyst replacement every few 

years. Cost effectiveness and cost burden for SCR systems are summarized in Table 2-5. 

Table 2-5. Cost Effectiveness and Cost Burden of SNCR and SCR Systems 

Measure of Cost SNCR System SCR System 

Cost Effectiveness ($/t NOx) 

Range 

Mean 

Median 

330 to 5,200 

1,700 

1,200 

480 to 22,000 

4,200 

1,800 

Cost Burden ($/t of clinker) 

Range 

Mean 

Median 

0.40 to 2.50 

1.00 

0.90 

0.60 to 9.10 

2.50 

1.80 
11 

3.0 PROCESS DESCRIPTION 

3.1 PROCESS STEPS AND OPERATIONS 

To produce cement clinker, raw materials that contain oxides of calcium, silica, 

aluminum, and iron are first quarried and crushed and then inter-ground to a fine powder. The 

raw materials that contain the appropriate components needed to produce clinker are typically 

limestone, sand or silica, clays, mill scale, and fly ash. The major component of cement raw 

materials is limestone, which has a high concentration of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). This list 

only illustrates those raw materials that contain the compounds needed to produce clinker; 

however, almost any raw material in sufficient supply that contains one of the oxides mentioned 

above has the potential to be used in the cement manufacturing process. Once the raw materials 

have been inter-ground into powder form, the powder is stored in blending silos prior to its 

introduction into the kiln system. Blending renders the ground materials chemically uniform and 

acceptable as feed to the kiln (this raw material blend is typically called kiln feed or raw meal). 

Frequent analyses and quality control measures are necessary to ensure that raw materials are 

correctly proportioned during the manufacturing process because chemical uniformity of the feed 

to the kiln system is very important for stable kiln process operation. 

Figure 3-1 depicts the primary operations of a typical PH/PC kiln system cement plant 

and the steps involved in producing cement. The initial step of quarrying and solid-fuel grinding 

is not shown in this figure. Figure 3-2 is a general flow diagram of a PH/PC kiln cement plant. 

Not all processes shown in the flow charts in Figure 3-2 will take place at all PH/PC plants; 

instead, the figure demonstrates all of the various processes that may be found at a typical new 

plant. 

Figure 3-1. Primary operations – PH/PC kiln cement plant.1
12 

More details on the overall cement production operations are provided in the two EPA 

documents mentioned in Section 1. An excellent virtual tour of a cement plant is available at the 

Portland Cement Association Web site (www.cement.org/basics/images/flashtour.html). 

Figure 3-2. Primary operations – PH/PC cement kiln plant.2

3.2 NEW KILNS 

This report covers only PH/PC kilns, which have been available since 1970. PH/PC kiln 

systems are so named because certain manufacturing processes (heating and calcination [driving 

off of the carbon dioxide] of the raw materials) take place in sections outside the rotary kiln 

proper (therefore, the prefix “pre” is used when describing the kiln type). The main reason why 

all new U.S. cement kiln systems are PH/PC kilns is because this kiln type has higher production 

capacities and greater fuel efficiency compared to other types of cement kilns. As shown in 

Table 3-1, the capacities of PH/PC kilns range from 450,000 to 1,580,000 mt/yr (495,000 to 

1,740,000 t/yr), with an average of 869,000 mt/yr (956,000 t/yr). 
13 

Table 3-1. Cement Kiln Capacities (mt/yr)3

Kiln Type Range Average 

Long wet 77,000–1,180,000 307,000 

Long dry 50,000–590,000 265,000 

Preheater 223,000–1,237,000 406,000 

PH/PC 450,000–1,580,000 869,000 

There are three distinct sections of the PH/PC kiln system, and the manufacturing 

processes that occur within these sections calcine most of the carbon dioxide (CO2) from the raw 

materials before they enter the kiln. The first section, the preheater, is a tower that consists of a 

series of cyclones and interconnecting ducts that dry and preheat the blended raw materials. The 

raw materials are then moved to the second section, the bottom of the preheater tower, to a 

special furnace called the calciner, or precalciner, which calcines the CO2 from the raw 

materials. The terms “calciner” and “precalciner” refer to the same process equipment and are 

used interchangeably throughout this document. Finally, the chemical reactions necessary to 

produce cement clinker in a PH/PC kiln cement plant occur in the section called the rotary kiln. 

A summary of the temperature profile ranges for the preheater, calciner, and rotary kiln of a 

PH/PC kiln plant, as well as the material retention time in these sections, is shown in Table 3-2. 

Table 3-2. Operating Conditions – PH/PC Kilns4,5

Parameter Preheater Calciner Rotary Kiln 

Gas temperature (°C) 350–950 850–1,200 1,200–2,000 

Material temperature (°C) 200–750 800–900 1,200–1,550 

Material retention time 2 minutes 2–4 seconds 30 minutes 

Fuel is fired in two places in the PH/PC kiln system: the calciner and the discharge end of 

the rotary kiln. In other cement kiln systems, all thermal processes occur within the kiln. As a 

result, conventional kilns are much longer than PH/PC kilns as well as much less fuel efficient 

than PH/PC kiln types. Table 3-3 shows heat inputs in terms of million British Thermal Units 

(mmBtu)/t of clinker for various types of kilns. As the data clearly demonstrates, PH/PC kilns 

provide greater fuel efficiency. 

Table 3-3. Heat Input by Cement Kiln Type6

Kiln Type 

Heat Input 

(mmBtu/t of clinker) 

Percent Increase in Heat Input 

Compared to PH/PC Heat Input 

Long wet 6.0 45 

Long dry 4.5 36 

Preheater 3.8 15 

PH/PC 3.3 ------- 
14 

A diagram and photo of a PH/PC kiln system are shown in Figures 3-3 and 3-4. 

PMCD = particulate mater control 

device 

Figure 3-3. PH/PC kiln – Suwannee American Cement, Branford, Florida. 

Figure 3-4. PH/PC kiln system. 
15 

The following reactions occur in the preheater, calciner, and rotary kiln of a PH/ PC kiln 

system: 

 Evaporation of water in the upper stage of the preheater and heating of the raw meal 

from 100–400 °C (212–750 °F). 

 Release of combined water from clay-like substances. This reaction takes place in 

temperature range between 400–650 °C (750–1,200 °F) 

 Dissociation of magnesium carbonate (MgCO3) into magnesium oxide and CO2 from 

650–750 °C (1,200–1,380 °F) 

 Dissociation of CaCO3 into lime (CaO) and CO2. This process is called calcination. 

About 90–95% of kiln feed is calcined prior to entering the kiln. This reaction takes 

place in the calciner, requires the addition of fuel, and occurs in the temperature range 

between 750–900 °C (1,380–1,650 °F). In addition, any carbonaceous material 

present in the raw meal is oxidized at this stage. 

 Final calcination occurs in the rotary kiln, where the material is slowly heated from 

about 900–1,500 °C (1,650–2,750 °F) as it moves through the kiln. Reactions 

between CaO and other oxides occur in the rotary kiln to produce clinker, the final 

end product of the kiln cement process. Clinker typically contains 66% CaO, 21% 

silicon dioxide (SiO2), 5% aluminum oxide (Al2O3), 3% ferric oxide (Fe2O3), and 5% 

other components. 

The following subsections further describe the processes that occur in the preheater, 

calciner, and rotary kiln of a PH/PC kiln system, as well as information on a kiln bypass system. 

3.2.1 Preheater 

As previously stated, the major functions of the preheater are to drive off moisture and 

elevate the temperature of the precalciner feed. All surface and inherent moisture is removed 

from the feed in the preheater tower. The feed is partially (40–50%) calcined (CaCO3 Æ CaO + 

CO2) by the time it leaves the preheater. 

The PH/PC kiln system uses an induced draft (ID) fan, which draws hot kiln gas through 

the kiln and preheater tower counter current to the material flow. Unheated raw meal is injected 

into the gas flow in the duct between the upper two cyclone stages of the preheater. This raw 

material is suspended in the hot gas stream and pulled by the ID fan to the first-stage cyclone, 

where the material is centrifugally separated from the gas stream. Because the feed is suspended 

in the hot gas stream, there is rapid heat transfer between the gases and the raw material. As the 

gas stream enters the preheater tower, the material travels by gravity from the first-stage cyclone 

via a duct between the second- and third-stage cyclones. The lower cyclones of the preheater are 

typically 80% efficient, meaning about 80% of the solid phase (raw material) is centrifugally 

separated from the gas and supplied to the cyclone stage beneath. The gas phase containing the 

remaining solids flows directly to the cyclone stage above. Usually, smaller double cyclones are 

used in the upper-most cyclone stage on each string, giving a higher cyclone efficiency, typically 

95%.7 
16 

After the material-laden stream is transported to the second-stage cyclone, the material is 

again separated by centrifuge from the gas. After flowing down the cyclone tower, the meal is 

dried, and the clay minerals dehydrate and decompose. In addition, any organic compounds 

present in the raw materials are oxidized, and the MgCO3 is calcined. The temperature in the 

preheater is typically increased to about 700 °C (1,290 °F), whereas the temperature of the 

counter-flowing gas is reduced from about 900 °C (1,650 °F) to about 350 °C (660 °F). 

3.2.2 Calciner

Upon leaving the preheater, the process material moves to the calciner, a vertical vessel 

attached to the preheater. The calciner utilizes combustion air drawn from the clinker cooler 

(known as tertiary air) or kiln exit gases. In addition, about 60% of the fuel consumption of the 

PH/PC kiln system takes place in the calciner. The most-often used fuel is coal; however, almost 

any fuel can be used, including chipped tires, solid and liquid waste, gas, and oil. Fuel burned in 

calciner does not need to be of as high a quality as fuel burned in the front end of the rotary kiln. 

Because the combustion in the calciner occurs at 750–900 °C (1,380–1,650 °F), a fuel with a low 

Btu content is quite capable of delivering enough energy to calcine the limestone. The 

calcination process begins at about 815 °C (1,500 °F) and is completed at about 950 °C 

(1,750 °F).8

 The process material is 90–95% calcined by the time the material leaves the calciner. 

If all the kiln feed is calcined, the heat-adsorbing endothermic reaction will end, and the 

material’s temperature will rapidly increase. Such an increase can cause the lower melting 

components in the raw material to liquefy and condense on cooler sections of the preheater 

tower. Such buildups in the vessels and ducting of the system can cause significant operational 

problems and are avoided by limiting the degree to which the feed material is calcined. After 

removing CO2 from the CaCO3, CaO is the remaining component. By removing 90–95% of CO2

during the calcining process, the weight of the material is reduced by 32–34%. The overall 

reaction in the calciner can be summarized as follows: 

 Heat + CaCO3 Æ CaO + CO2

As the process material exits the calciner, the material and gas stream is swept to a final 

cyclone, whereupon the calcined material is centrifugally separated from the gas stream and the 

calcined feed enters the rotary kiln.7 Gas temperatures in calciner vessels are about 870–1,540 °C 

(1,600–1,800 °F). As mentioned above, tertiary air is the combustion air ducted to the calciner 

from the clinker cooler. Secondary air is the hot air recovered from clinker cooler and diverted to 

the kiln, and primary air is air entering the burner.2

In a PH/PC kiln without a bypass to control alkalis, sulfur, and/or chlorides, 

approximately 60% of the fuel is burned in the calciner. As the percent of bypass increases (i.e., 

heat is lost), the total amount of fuel required to achieve combustion in the calciner must also be 

increased to make up for the heat lost in the bypass gases.8

3.2.2.1 Types of Calciners3

There are two main types of calciners: in-line calciners (ILCs) and separate-line calciners 

(SLCs). New systems use both designs with relatively equal frequency. Many advances in 
17 

technology have resulted in the development of specially designed calciners to meet such 

specific situations as variable raw material chemistry and a range of fuels to be used. 

3.2.2.1.1 In-Line Calciners (ILCs) 

An ILC is a calciner in which the tertiary air and kiln exhaust gas pass through the firing 

region of the calciner. This type of calciner is commonly used for normal fuels, such as coal, oil, 

gas, and wastes, with relatively high volatile bituminous coal serving as the dominant fuel. An 

ILC uses the hot recovered air from the cooler for fuel combustion. Since kiln combustion gases 

(O2 content of approximately 2%) are mixed with the air from the cooler, the oxygen content of 

the ILC is much less than 21%, and the temperature is normally below 900 °C (1,650 °F). The 

low-oxygen content and temperature makes the ILC more compatible with fuels that have 

relatively high volatile content. Fuels with low volatile content, such as petroleum coke, are 

difficult to burn in the ILC system. 

Figure 3-5 shows an ILC unit with an excess air, single-string cyclone preheater kiln with 

a small calciner built into kiln riser duct. Combustion air for the calciner is drawn through the 

kiln.2

 

3.2.2.1.2 Separate-Line Calciners (SLCs)3

In SLCs, the kiln exhaust gas bypasses the firing region of the calciner. An SLC uses air 

containing 21% oxygen recovered from the cooler for combustion, and this air is not mixed with 

kiln combustion gases. SLCs usually have longer gas-retention times and higher temperatures, 

allowing these systems to use low-volatile fuels, such as petroleum coke and anthracite. Existing 

systems are easier to upgrade with SLCs because there are many configurations for this type of 

calciner. Some SLCs contain only a single string, and some SLCs have a two-string preheater 

tower, with the kiln gas passing through one string of the preheater and the tertiary air entering 

the calciner through a separate (second) string of the preheater. 

Figures 3-6 and 3-7 shows two types of SLCs. The SLC shown in Figure 3-6 is a downdraft unit, with a single-string cyclone preheater and a combustion chamber/calciner placed in 

parallel to the riser duct. Thus, combustion takes place using heated atmospheric air drawn from 

the cooler through a separate tertiary air duct, and the exhaust gas from the kiln and the 

combustion gases from the calciner are mixed before entering the preheater system. Figure 3-7 

shows an SLC with a double-string cyclone preheater, with the combustion chamber/calciner 

placed in parallel to the kiln riser duct. Thus, combustion in the calciner takes place using heated 

atmospheric air drawn from the cooler through a separate tertiary air duct. The exhaust gas from 

the calciner and kiln is directed through the two independent preheater strings without being 

mixed. 
18 

Preheater

tower

Precalciner

Kiln

Clinker

cooler

gas flow

process material 

flow

fuel

Figure 3-5. F.L. Schmidt ILC kiln system.9
19 

Preheater

tower

Precalciner

Kiln

Clinker

cooler

gas flow

process material 

flow

fuel

Figure 3-6. F.L. Schmidt SLC with single-string preheater.9
20 

gas flow

process material 

flow

fuel

Figure 3-7. F.L. Schmidt SLC with dual-string preheater.9

3.2.3 Rotary Kiln

Upon leaving the calciner, the calcined material is transferred to the lowest cyclone of the 

tower, from where it enters the rotary kiln. The rotary kiln, where sintering (clinkering) occurs, is 

a cylindrical metal tube that is sloped (an incline of two to three degrees) and that turns about 

three to three and one-half revolutions per minute. The inside of the kiln is lined with refractory 
21 

brick to protect the metal from the kiln’s extreme temperature. The front (hot) end of the kiln 

(discharge end) contains a specially designed burner pipe, where fuel is fired to produce a hightemperature flame. The end of the kiln opposite the hot or discharge end is referred to as the feed 

end or rear of the kiln. 

The process material enters the kiln at the feed end at a temperature of about 900 °C 

(1,650 °F). The gas temperature at this entry is about 1,000–1,100 °C (1,800–2,000 °F). The 

kiln’s slight inclination and revolution causes the solid material to progress slowly through the 

kiln. As the feed progresses, the material and gas temperatures slowly increase. Two essential 

reactions occur in the rotary kiln of a PH/PC kiln system: 1) the remaining CO2 is removed from 

the feed, and 2) the chemical reactions between the oxides of calcium, silicon, aluminum, and 

iron occur, producing a final product known as clinker. Cement clinker is a gray lava-like 

material that is produced in quantities about the size of a golf ball. 

Many of the reactions in the rotary kiln are solid-phase or sintering reactions that occur at 

elevated material temperatures in close proximity to the kiln flame. This area is commonly 

known as the combustion zone of the kiln. The clinker minerals produced in the kiln are 

tetracalcium aluminoferrite ((CaO)4 Al2O3Fe2O3), tricalcium aluminate ((CaO)3 Al2O3), 

dicalciumsilicate ((CaO)2SiO2), and tricalcium silicate ((CaO)3 SiO2). The final reaction in the 

rotary kiln is the conversion of dicalcium silicate to tricalcium silicate, which only takes place 

above a minimum temperature in the range of 1,400–1,500 °C (2,550–2,750 °F). The reactions 

that occur in the rotary kiln can be represented as follows: 

 4 CaO + Al2O3 + Fe2O3 Æ (CaO)4 Al2O3 Fe2O3

 3 CaO + Al2O3- Æ (CaO)3 Al2O3

 2 CaO + SiO2 Æ (CaO)2 SiO2

 (CaO)2 SiO2 + CaO Æ (CaO)3 SiO2

Clinker is produced by the chemical reaction of the dehydrated and decarbonated raw 

materials that occurs in the combustion zone of the rotary kiln at about 1,510 °C (2,750 °F). In 

the clinkering process, calcium oxide reacts at high material temperatures (1,400–1,500 °C 

[2,550–2,730 °F]) with silica, alumina, and ferrous oxide to form the silicates, aluminates, and 

ferrites of calcium that comprise the clinker. To achieve these material temperatures, gas phase 

temperatures will be substantially higher than 1,760 °C (3,200 °F). Oxidizing conditions must 

exist in the combustion zone to meet clinker quality demands; therefore, the kiln must be 

continuously monitored for oxygen and care must be taken to limit the amount of excess air in 

the system to maintain the maximum combustion zone temperature. About 20–25% of the 

material in the combustion zone is molten, and the cement clinker continues to change in 

character as it passes the zone of maximum temperature. The PH/PC kiln system permits the use 

of smaller-dimension kilns because preheating, drying, and calcining take place in the PH/PC 

portion of the system and clinkering is carried out in the rotary kiln. About 40–50% of the total 

fuel is burned in the rotary kiln; the rest is burned in the calciner. The operation of a PH/PC kiln 

system is also more stable than other kiln types because 90% of the CO2 in the feed is removed 
22 

prior to the feed entering the rotary kiln.9 The total material retention time in the rotary kiln is 

about 30 minutes. 

After passing the combustion zone of the rotary kiln, the clinker is cooled to about 

1,250 °C (2,300 °F) before it is discharged from the kiln into the clinker cooler. In the cooler, 

ambient air is forced through the clinker bed to reduce the clinker temperature to about 100 °C 

(200 °F). Some of the heated air from the cooler is recovered and used for combustion air in the 

kiln (called secondary air) and for other processes, such as combustion air for the calciner. The 

residence time in the cooler is about 15–30 minutes. The purpose of the cooler is to recover heat 

from the hot clinker and to cool the clinker such that it can be conveyed for storage and/or to be 

ground into cement.7

 The clinker that exits the cooler is stored or directly ground in a ball/roller 

mill system to produce cement. To produce Portland cement, the clinker is then ground or milled 

together with 4–5% gypsum. 

3.2.4 Alkali Bypass – PH/PC Kiln Systems

Some PH/PC kilns are equipped with an air bypass system at the feed end of the kiln. 

This system is typically called an alkali bypass and consists of ducting, an ID fan, and an airpollution control device. Although certain bypass systems can be designed to remove 10–100% 

of the kiln combustion gases, a typical bypass system removes between 15–30% of the kiln 

combustion gases. The gases exiting the kiln through the bypass are cooled with air or a 

combination of air and water. 

As described previously, the quenching of the kiln exit gases can cause volatile 

compounds to condense on the fine particulate in the gas stream. Some raw materials and fuels 

used in the rotary kiln have volatile inorganic components that are compounds combined from 

the elements, including potassium, sodium, sulfur, and chlorine. These compounds have a 

relatively low melting point, and upon reaching the combustion zone of the kiln, will volatilize 

and be carried with the kiln gas to the preheater, where they condense either on the wall of the 

vessels or on the raw material (i.e., kiln feed) entering the kiln. The part of the volatile 

compounds condensed on the feed reenters the combustion zone and is again volatized. This sets 

up an internal recirculation of volatile matter in the kiln gases entering the preheater. If the 

concentration of the volatile inorganic matter is great enough, and unless interrupted and 

removed from the kiln, it will eventually plug the vessels of the preheater. Even smaller buildups in the preheater tower can restrict the amount of gas flow and greatly affect kiln operations. 

The bypass provides a valve to remove some of the volatile inorganic compounds from the kiln 

system to prevent such build-up in the preheater tower. 

Another purpose of the bypass system is to remove excess alkali. Certain product quality 

standards have specific alkali limits. For example, to meet certain state highway department 

standards, the alkali content of some finished cements generally needs to be below a certain 

acceptable level. At high alkali levels, the alkalis in cement may react with certain aggregates to 

produce faulty concrete. To achieve low alkali in the finished cement requires low alkali levels in 

the clinker. In a PH/PC kiln, alkalis are re-condensed on the cooler feed coming from the 

calciner and reenter the combustion zone of the kiln, where they are volatilized. A bypass system 

can be used to break this cycle and reduce the alkali content in the clinker. Because a certain 

amount of air and dust (raw material that has been partially calcined) is being wasted to remove 
23 

the alkali inorganic material, a bypass on a cement kiln typically involves a fuel penalty between 

16,000–20,000 Btu/t of clinker for every 1% of kiln gas that is bypassed. The amount of bypass 

required is determined primarily by the alkali and volatile inorganic content of the kiln feed. The 

amount of dust wasted typically ranges from 80–100 tons per day (t/day), depending on the size 

of the kiln system and the percent of gas bypassed. Not all PH/PC kiln systems require a bypass 

system, and the amount of kiln gas bypass varies during operations, as dictated by cement 

quality, production specification, and process. 

3.3 REFERENCES 

1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Technology Transfer Network, Clean Air 

Technology Center. RACT/BACT/LAER Clearinghouse. Web site: www.epa.gov/ttn/catc. 

Accessed March 6, 2007. 

2. Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Technical Evaluation, Preliminary 

Determination, Draft BACT Determination, Sumter Cement Company. December 21, 

2005. Available at www.dep.state.fl.us/Air/permitting/construction/american/ 

TEPD358.pdf. 

3. Environment Canada. Foundation Report of the Cement Manufacturing Sector. Draft #1. 

Prepared by Minerals and Metals Brand, Pollution Prevention Directorate. June 18, 2004 

4. Greer, W.L., and C.D. Lesslie. Variability of NOx Emissions from Precalciner Cement 

Kiln Systems. Trinity Consultants. Control #80. Undated. 

5. Natural Resources of Central Florida. Report in Support of an application for a PSD 

Construction Permit Review. American Cement, Sumterville, FL. October 4, 2005. 

Available at http://www.dep.state.fl.us/air/permitting/construction/american. 

6. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. NOx Control Technologies for the Cement 

Industry. Prepared by EC/R Incorporated. September 19, 2000. Available at 

www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/ozone/ozonetech/cement_nox_update_09152000.pdf. 

7. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Alternative Control Techniques Document – NOx

Emissions from Cement Manufacturing. EPA-453/R-94-004. March 1994. Available at 

www.epa.gov/ttn/cata/dir1/cement.pdf. 

8. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 11.6 Portland Cement Manufacturing. AP 42, 

Chapter 11.6. Available at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/ap42/ch11/final/c11s06.pdf. 

9. Portland Cement Association. Report on NOx Formation and Variability in Portland 

Cement Kiln Systems Potential Control Techniques and Their Feasibility and Cost 

Effectiveness. PCA R&D Serial No. 2227. Prepared by Penta Engineering Corporation. 

1999. 
24 

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25 

4.0 NOX EMISSIONS FROM PH/PC KILNS 

The high temperatures and oxidizing atmosphere required for cement manufacturing are 

also favorable for NOx formation. In cement kilns, NOx emissions are formed during fuel 

combustion by two primary mechanisms: 

1. The oxidation of molecular nitrogen present in combustion air (thermal NOx) 

2. The oxidation of nitrogen compounds in fuel (fuel NOx).1

Sometimes, the raw material feed may also contain nitrogen compounds, which may lead 

to feed NOx similar to fuel NOx. Because of the high temperatures involved in burning or clinker 

formation, thermal NOx is the dominant mechanism for NOx formation in kiln systems. 

4.1 THERMAL NOX 

Thermal NOx results from the homogeneous reaction of oxygen and nitrogen in the gas 

phase at high temperatures. In the overall reaction mechanism developed by Zeldovich, the two 

important steps in the formation of thermal NOx are the following: 

 2 N2 + O2 Æ 2 NO + 2 N 

 N + O2 Æ NO +O 

The excess air used during fuel combustion can substantially affect NO formation by 

determining the amount of oxygen available for NO reaction. The cement kiln combustion zones 

usually have about 5–10% excess air, although higher excess air levels are not uncommon. 

Higher excess air levels result in higher NOx. Also, as shown in Figure 4-1, small increases in 

temperature result in very large increases of NO concentrations at temperatures above 1,430 °C 

(2,600 °F). 
26 

Figure 4-1. NO vs. temperature at various O2 levels.2 

Fuel combustion in the kiln combustion zone is the primary source of thermal NOx in 

cement kilns due to temperatures well above 1,400 °C (2,550 °F). In comparison, the fuel 

combustion temperature in a calciner or in a kiln riser duct is well below 1,200 °C (2,200 °F), 

thereby suppressing thermal NOx formation. Mainly fuel and feed NOx is formed in the preheater 

and precalciner. Along with the combustion temperature, the gas-phase residence time and 

available oxygen concentration in the kiln’s high-temperature combustion zone are important 

parameters. Longer residence times at high temperatures and greater amounts of oxygen in the 

combustion zone will increase NOx. Once NOx is formed, the decomposition of NOx at lower 

temperatures, although thermodynamically favorable, is kinetically limited.3

 

Nitrogen in combustion air is oxidized to NOx (thermal NOx) at a flame temperature of 

1,870 °C (3,400 °F) in a rotary kiln, which heats the process material to 1,480 °C (2,700 °F). The 

calciner of a PH/PC kiln operates near 1,200 °C (2,200 °F), at which point the formation of 

thermal NOx essentially ceases. Thus, thermal NOx dominates NOx formation in the combustion 

zone of a rotary kiln and is a lesser factor in NOx formation in the calciner or elsewhere in the 

system.4

 

Each kiln has a different kiln temperature profile due to the uniqueness of the chemical 

composition of the raw materials and the specific desired qualities of the clinker. Different raw 

materials require different flame temperatures. For example, if the raw materials have a higher 

alkali content than preferred in the finished product, higher flame temperatures are used to 

remove (volatilize) the excess alkali. These higher temperatures increase the fuel consumption 

per ton of product and also increase NOx formation. The residence time also affects NOx

concentration. 
27 

4.2 FUEL NOX

 4

Fuel NOx is formed by the oxidation of nitrogen present in fuel. The oxidation reactions 

of nitrogen from fuel are complex and occur through many intermediate products and radicals. 

As the fuel burns, the nitrogen that was chemically bonded as part of the fuel molecule is freed 

and can combine with oxygen to form NOx.

5

 About 80% of the energy requirements for the 

PH/PC kiln systems are met by coal, whereas natural gas provides only 3%, oil provides less 

than 1%; and other fuels such as waste solvents provide 14%. Oil and natural gas have relatively 

low fuel-bound nitrogen content, whereas coal may have 1–3% nitrogen by weight. In addition, 

waste-derived fuels (e.g., scrap tires, used motor oils, paint thinners) are being used increasingly 

as fuel for PH/PC kilns and may have significant nitrogen content. 

The maximum possible fuel NOx conversion can be estimated for a PH/PC kiln system. 

As shown in Table 3-3, the heat input requirement for this type of kiln is 3.3 mmBtu/t of clinker. 

Assuming a coal heating value of 12,000 Btu/lb, 275 lb of coal would be required per ton of 

clinker. With a nitrogen content of 1% by weight, approximately 5.9 lb of NOx would be 

produced per ton of clinker, assuming 100% nitrogen conversion. 

Because kiln measurements indicate the total NOx formed, it is difficult to distinguish the 

levels of thermal NOx and fuel NOx. In general, thermal NOx is thought to be the dominant 

mechanism in cement kilns. Gas burners produce more intense and hot flames compared to coal 

burners; thus, gas-fired kilns may be expected to produce greater thermal NOx than coal-fired 

kilns. A study has indicated that gas-fired, dry-process kilns typically produce almost three times 

more NOx than coal-fired, dry-process kilns. 

Fuel NOx predominates NOx generation in the calciner and at lower-temperature 

combustion sites. Fuel NOx also occurs in the combustion zone of a rotary kiln.7

 Approximately 

60% of fuel nitrogen is converted to NOx and is dependent upon available oxygen in the flame 

and temperature profile of the flame.8

When fired in the main kiln burner, natural gas has been shown to generate 

approximately twice the amount of NOx per ton of clinker as coal or oil. This is not readily 

apparent because the adiabatic flame temperatures of coal and oil are higher than for natural gas. 

In addition, coal and oil have more fuel nitrogen than natural gas and are generally fired with a 

higher volume of combustion air, which increases the oxygen available and the potential for NOx

formation. There are other factors associated with coal and oil burning that more than offset the 

factors mentioned above, including flame shape, the luminescence of the flame and higher levels 

of CO, and various radicals that counter NOx formation. 

Calciner kilns burn 50–60% of the total fuel at a lower temperature (1,200 °C [3,630 °F]) 

in the kiln. This leads to negligible thermal NO formation in the calciner; thus, thermal NOx in 

PH/PC kiln systems is much lower than other kiln types.9

About 15–30% of fuel NOx is converted in the calciner in the absence of tertiary air, and 

30–75% is converted when tertiary air is supplied. In a low NOx calciner, NOx levels in the gases 

exiting the preheater are 35–50% lower than kilns without calciners.6
28 

4.3 FEED NOX 

10 

Feed NOx is generated when nitrogen in the raw materials that are fed to the kiln are 

oxidized. The raw materials used in cement production may contain a significant amount of 

nitrogen. Limestone is the major raw material, with the remainder of the raw mix being clays, 

shales, sandstones, sands, and iron ore. The nitrogen content for various kiln feeds ranges from 

20 to 1,000 parts per million (ppm). 100 ppm of nitrogen in the kiln feed is equivalent to about 1 

lb of NOx per ton of clinker if all the nitrogen in the feed is converted. 

The conversion of feed nitrogen to NOx occurs mainly in the 300–800 °C (570–1,470 °F) 

range and depends on the feed heating rate. The rapid heating of raw materials in PH/PC kiln 

system is thought to result in less feed NOx generation than the slower heating of kiln feed found 

in other types of kiln. Rapid heating rates (~ 100 °C flash heating) of the kiln feed mixtures were 

found to give much lower conversion efficiencies, whereas a slow heating rate of kiln feed 

mixtures (~60 °C/min) gave a fairly high conversion (about 50% of bound nitrogen to NO). The 

explanation for this is the assumption that organic nitrogen must vaporize from the sample prior 

to oxidation if high conversion efficiencies to NOx are to be achieved. If heating rates are rapid, 

“cracking” of these volatile compounds may occur in situ, which may result in conversion of the 

bound nitrogen directly to N2 before it comes into contact with gaseous oxygen, thus reducing 

the fraction converted to NOx; therefore, feed NOx is not likely to be a significant contributor to 

NOx emissions from a PH/PC kiln system. 

4.4 PROMPT NOX 

Prompt NOx is formed when free radicals from the fuel react with available N2 in the 

combustion air. Free radicals are generated by the use of excess fuel-forming HC radicals, which 

rapidly react with N2 to form hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and nitrogen. Through a cascade of 

reactions, NH3 can also form. As combustion continues, the HCN and NH3 result in the 

generation of NOx. These reactions are summarized as follows: 

 CH + N2 Æ HCN + N 

 C + N2 Æ CN + N 

 N + OH Æ NO + H 

The rate of formation of prompt NOx is very rapid, and reactions are not strongly 

temperature dependent and occur in a fuel-rich environment. The contribution of prompt NOx to 

overall NOx formation in a cement kiln is small because prompt NOx tends to dominate when the 

total NOx concentration in the system is low, but in cement kilns, the NOx concentrations are 

relatively high. 

4.5 REFERENCES 

1. Environment Canada. Foundation Report of the Cement Manufacturing Sector. Draft #1. 

Prepared by Minerals and Metals Brand, Pollution Prevention Directorate. June 18, 2004. 
29 

2. Zeldovich, J. 1946. The Oxidation of Nitrogen in Combustion and Explosions. Acta 

Physiochem. 1946. 

3. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. NOx Control Technologies for the Cement 

Industry. Prepared by EC/R Incorporated. September 19, 2000. Available at 

www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/ozone/ozonetech/cement_nox_update_09152000.pdf. 

4. Greer, W.L., and C.D. Lesslie. Variability of NOx Emissions from Precalciner Cement 

Kiln Systems. Trinity Consultants. Control #80. Undated. 

5. Webster, T., and S. Drennen. Low NOx Combustion of Biomass Fuels. Available at 

http://www.coen.com/i_html/white_lownoxbiom.html. Accessed August 2, 2006. 

6. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Technology Transfer Network, Clean Air 

Technology Center. RACT/BACT/LAER Clearinghouse. Web site: www.epa.gov/ttn/catc. 

Accessed March 6, 2007. 

7. Florida Department of Environmental Resources. BACT Determination – Suwannee 

American Cement, Branford Florida. Air NSR/PSD Construction Permits. Available at 

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/Air/permitting/construction/suwannee.htm. Accessed March 6, 

2007. 

8. Natural Resources of Central Florida. Report in Support of an application for a PSD 

Construction Permit Review. American Cement, Sumterville, FL. October 4, 2005. 

Available at http://www.dep.state.fl.us.air/permitting/construction/sumter. 

9. Tokheim, L.-A. The Impact of Staged Combustion on the Operation of a Precalciner 

Cement Kiln. Telemark College, Porsgrumm, Norway. Available at 

www.cement.org/dnld/Staged percent20 Combustion percent20Dissertation.pdf. 

10. Greer, W.L., and C.D. Lesslie. Variability of NOx Emissions from Precalciner Cement 

Kiln Systems. Trinity Consultants. Control #80. Undated. 
30 

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31 

5.0 FACTORS AFFECTING NOX EMISSIONS 

As discussed in Section 3, high temperatures are necessary for the required clinkering 

reactions to take place in the cement kiln. If a kiln’s temperature drops too low, the clinker 

formation reactions will stop, and because these reactions are exothermic, the temperature will 

drop even further. The temperature must be raised by increasing the energy (fuel) input to the 

kiln. Once the clinkering formation reactions start again, the temperature will increase very 

rapidly, again requiring an adjustment of fuel input. These process variations, which result in 

temperature variations, are normal in cement kiln operations and can produce significant 

variations in NOx emissions. 

Changes in the fuel used for kilns can also change a kiln’s temperature and the shape of 

the kiln flame, which can precipitate temperature changes in the kiln combustion zone. Flame 

temperatures are greater for gas burners than for coal burners. In addition to temperature 

variations that can initiate thermal NOx formation, fuels with higher nitrogen content will have 

more nitrogen available for fuel NOx formation. 

As with fuel, changes in the feed rate, chemical composition, or moisture content of raw 

materials can also change a kiln’s operating parameters. Even raw materials from the same 

quarry can vary in chemical composition from day to day. Materials with higher nitrogen content 

can lead to more feed NOx formation. Raw materials that contain unacceptably high alkali 

content must be heated longer and at higher temperatures to volatilize and remove the alkali 

compounds. If alkali compounds are volatilized from the raw material, they appear in the kiln 

exhaust gases. As discussed in Section 3, a bypass system can be used to control these alkali 

emissions. In a bypass system, a portion of the kiln exhaust gases is rapidly cooled or quenched 

in order for the alkali materials to condense and be collected directly by a particulate control 

device. This lowers the overall system heat efficiency, requiring more energy to be added to the 

system, again contributing to additional NOx formation. 

The energy efficiency of a kiln system can also affect NOx formation. As clinker exits the 

kiln, it is cooled with ambient air. The heat from the clinker is transferred to the air, and this 

heated air is recycled to preheat a significant portion of the secondary combustion air and to 

reach the high flame zone temperatures necessary for Portland cement production. In addition, 

some heat-recovery methods require less energy input into the kiln. This reduced heat (and fuel) 

input into the kiln system reduces the formation of NOx. 

Excess oxygen is required to produce quality clinker, but higher oxygen levels result in 

higher NOx emissions. The oxygen concentration in the combustion zone depends on the 

percentage of excess air used and the ratios of the primary and secondary combustion. Additional 

combustion for PH/PC kilns takes place in the calciner. As noted in Section 3, secondary 

combustion air may be used for combustion in the calciner. The secondary combustion air 

usually comes from the clinker cooler; however, some calciners will use kiln gases as the source 

of combustion air rather than secondary air from the cooler. The source of the secondary and 

primary air determines the air’s oxygen content. Less primary air means less oxygen and may 

produce an initial high-temperature, fuel-rich combustion zone, followed by a low-temperature 

fuel-lean combustion zone. Such a combination is likely to reduce the formation of NOx. 
32 

The proportions of primary and secondary combustion air are affected by the type of 

firing system used in the kiln. Direct-fired systems use combustion air to transport fuel into the 

kiln. Therefore, a large proportion of the combustion air is introduced with the fuel as primary 

air. This produces two conflicting effects for NOx emissions: higher oxygen concentrations and 

lower gas temperatures. In contrast, indirect-fired systems use only a small portion of 

combustion air to convey fuel; thus, these systems use less cold primary air. Therefore, indirectfired systems use more secondary air with additional heat value as the combustion air. In general, 

direct-fired systems may be expected to produce greater NOx emissions compared to indirectfired systems. The majority of kilns in the United States are direct-fired systems. 
33 

6.0 PROCESS CONTROLS THAT REDUCE NOX EMISSIONS 1, 2

The primary goals of process controls are to stabilize process parameters and to stabilize 

kiln conditions. The process controls used to stabilize kiln operations also improve energy 

efficiency by reducing heat consumption, improve clinker quality, and increase the life of the 

cement plant. Another beneficial effect of process controls is the reduction of NOx emissions 

because of improved fuel efficiency. 

When determining uncontrolled NOx emissions, the following standard operating practice 

(SOP) components should be considered. These SOPs are incorporated by all new PH/PC kiln 

systems. 

 Combustion zone control of temperature and excess air through continuous 

monitoring of temperature and excess air 

 Feed mix composition 

 Kiln fuel type 

 Increased thermal efficiency 

 Staged combustion in kiln 

 Efficient cooler control 

 Expert control systems 

 Low NOx burners in the kiln. 

These components are discussed in detail in previous EPA documents.1, 2 A summary of 

these measures is contained in the following subsections. 

6.1 COMBUSTION ZONE CONTROL OF TEMPERATURE AND EXCESS AIR1, 2

Continuous monitoring of CO and O2 emissions in the exhaust gases of cement kilns 

indicates the amount of excess air. At any given excess air level, NOx emissions increase as the 

temperature of the combustion zone increases. Keeping the combustion zone temperature at a 

minimum acceptable value minimizes the process energy requirements and NOx emissions. 

With continuous CO, O2, and NOx monitors and feedback control, excess air can be 

accurately controlled to maintain a level that provides optimum combustion and lower NOx

emissions. Reducing excess air levels also results in increased productivity per unit of energy; 

thus, resulting in the indirect reduction of NOx emissions per amount of clinker produced. 

6.2 FEED MIX COMPOSITION 

Heat requirements for producing clinker are dependent on the composition of the raw 

material. Experiments have demonstrated that by improving the burnability of the kiln feed, the 

heat requirements for producing clinker can be reduced by 15%, thereby requiring less fuel (i.e., 

less heat input per ton of clinker) and producing less NOx per unit of product. This approach of 

changing feed composition may be highly site specific and may not be applicable to all locations. 

The level of heat input required to complete the clinkering reactions depends on the 

chemical and moisture composition of the raw feed materials. Raw materials can vary widely 
34 

between cement plants, as well as within the same plant. One example of this practice is to use 

raw materials with as low an alkali content as possible because high alkali materials require more 

heat and a longer residence time to volatilize. 

If the raw materials are consistently proportioned and blended before entering the kiln, 

the temperatures and excess air requirements should remain constant. Keeping temperatures as 

low and as constant as possible reduces the overall energy requirements, increases fuel 

efficiency, and reduces NOx formation. 

6.3 KILN FUEL 

The type of kiln fuel used directly affects the formation of NOx. Using coal instead of 

natural gas results in lower uncontrolled NOx emissions because the flame temperature for coal is 

significantly lower than natural gas. In one study of dry process kilns, the average NOx emissions 

decreased from 20.4 to 6.2 lb/t of clinker when the fuel was changed from natural gas to coal. 

Approximately 80% of primary fuel burned in cement kilns is coal. 

For PH/PC kiln systems, emissions of NOx range from 1.7–3.0 kg/t of clinker (3.7–

6.6 lb/t) for kiln systems fueled by natural gas and 1.35–1.95 kg/t of clinker (3.0–4.3 lb/t) for kiln 

systems fueled by coal.3

6.4 INCREASING THERMAL EFFICIENCY 

As shown in Table 3-3, the PH/PC kiln system is the most energy efficient of the cement 

kilns. The energy efficiency benefit varies from 15–30% depending on the type of conventional 

kiln system used for comparison. The thermal efficiency of the PH/PC kiln system may be 

increased by improving gas/solids heat transfer (e.g., by using an efficient chain system, 

increasing the heat recovery from the clinker cooler by increasing the proportion of secondary 

air, and minimizing infiltration of ambient air leakage into the kiln). 

6.5 STAGED COMBUSTION IN KILN 

The staging of fuel combustion occurs in two distinct zones. In the first zone, initial 

combustion is conducted in a primary fuel-rich zone. This zone provides the high temperatures 

needed for completion of the clinkering reactions. Due to the fuel-rich conditions and the lack of 

available oxygen, the formation of thermal and fuel NOx is minimized. In the second zone, fuel 

combustion is completed, with additional (secondary) combustion air added to complete the 

combustion process. The gas temperature in the second zone is much lower than the first zone 

because the gas is mixed with cooler secondary air, thereby minimizing NOx formation despite 

the excess available oxygen in this zone. Indirect-fired kilns are required for effective staging of 

combustion air. 

6.6 EFFICIENT COOLER CONTROL 4 

Improved heat recovery from the clinker cooler will result in better fuel efficiency for the 

PH/PC system. Heat recovered from the clinker cooler does not need to be generated from fuel 

burning. Other ways to improve the reuse of heat from the clinker cooler include optimizing the 

cooler’s layout and the design of the ID fan. 
35 

6.7 EXPERT CONTROL SYSTEMS 4 

During clinker production, variables such as excess air should be maintained close to the 

process “setpoints” required to minimize NOx formation. Excess air can be controlled with 

continuous monitoring systems that measure oxygen, CO2, and NOx levels. When excess air is 

optimized, burning conditions, temperature, and fuel use are also optimized, which in turn 

minimizes the formation of NOx. 

The use of computerized, automated systems to read and interpret process conditions and 

to make any necessary process adjustments can eliminate most lag time or operator errors. 

Process parameters can also be kept close to ideal conditions, minimizing kiln operation 

variations and upsets. 

6.8 LOW NOX BURNERS (LNB) IN KILN 

Low NOx burners (LNB) have been used by the cement industry for nearly 30 years and 

are designed to reduce flame turbulence, delay fuel/air mixing, and establish fuel-rich zones for 

initial combustion. The longer, less-intense flames resulting from SC lower flame temperature 

and reduce thermal NOx formation by approximately 30%. For more details on LNB, see the 

earlier NOx ACT documents. 

Two distinct combustion zones are created using LNBs. Flame turbulence and air and 

fuel mixing are suppressed during the first stage of combustion. A fuel-rich, oxygen-lean, hightemperature combustion zone is created first by reducing the amount of primary air in the 

primary combustion zone and delaying the combustion of all of the fuel. A portion of the flue gas 

can be recycled into the primary combustion zone to reduce the oxygen content of the primary 

air and produce a fuel-rich atmosphere. The recycled flue gas can be premixed with the primary 

combustion air or injected directly into the flame zone. Although temperatures are high, as 

required to complete clinkering reactions, thermal NOx formation is suppressed in the primary 

combustion zone because less oxygen is available. 

A secondary, oxygen-rich combustion zone follows, where fuel combustion is completed. 

Cooler secondary combustion air is mixed into the secondary combustion zone, lowering the 

temperature. Although excess oxygen is available, NOx formation is suppressed in the secondary 

combustion zone because of lower temperature. 

A cement kiln in which less than 10% of the total combustion air is primary air is 

considered an indirect-fired kiln. LNB can only be used with indirect-fired kiln systems. Indirect 

firing allows a greater proportion of recycled clinker cooler air to be used as secondary 

combustion air. 

As discussed in the two earlier EPA reports,1, 2 uncontrolled NOx emissions from PH/PC 

cement kilns are lower than other kiln types. Table 6-1 summarizes these results. These numbers 

are based on data compiled for the 1994 ACT document. Calciner kilns have lower NOx

emission rates than other cement kiln types because they burn more fuel at the calcining 

temperature. They are also the most energy efficient kiln type. Based on data from the earlier 

ACT report, uncontrolled emissions for the other kiln types are 55–155% higher than the PH/PC 
36 

kiln system,2 Based on AP-42 emission factors for the various kiln types, these differences range 

from 14 to 76%.5

 

Table 6-1. Uncontrolled NOx Emissions (lb/t) – Cement Kilns2, 5

Kiln Type Range 

Average/ Percent Higher 

than Calciner 

AP-42/ Percent Higher 

than Calciner 

Wet 3.6–19.5 9.7 /155 7.4 /76 

Long Dry 6.1–10.5 8.6 /126 6.0 /43 

Preheater 2.5–11.7 5.9 /55 4.8 /14 

PH/PC 0.9–7.0 3.8 /---- 4.2 /---- 

6.9 REFERENCES 

1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. NOx Control Technologies for the Cement 

Industry. Prepared by EC/R Incorporated. September 19, 2000. Available at 

www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/ozone/ozonetech/cement_nox_update_09152000.pdf. 

2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Alternative Control Techniques Document – NOx

Emissions from Cement Manufacturing. EPA-453/R-94-004. March 1994. Available at 

www.epa.gov/ttn/cata/dir1/cement.pdf. 

3. Environment Canada. Foundation Report of the Cement Manufacturing Sector. Draft #1. 

Prepared by Minerals and Metals Brand, Pollution Prevention Directorate. June 18, 2004. 

4. Portland Cement Association. Report on NOx Formation and Variability in Portland 

Cement Kiln Systems Potential Control Techniques and Their Feasibility and Cost 

Effectiveness. PCA R&D Serial No. 2227. Prepared by Penta Engineering Corp. 1999. 

5. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 11.6 Portland Cement Manufacturing. AP 42, 

Chapter 11.6. Available at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/ap42/ch11/final/c11s06.pdf. 
37 

7.0 STAGED COMBUSTION 

There are many ways a PH/PC kiln system could be considered to be using staged 

combustion (SC). First, the processes of the PH/PC kiln system itself, which include the drying, 

calcining, and sintering of the raw materials, can be considered SC. Also, the kiln with a multichannel main kiln burner with indirect firing incorporates SC. All calciners have some degree of 

SC. The use of low NOx calciners, which inject fuel near the kiln inlet, is a form of SC. This 

section will discuss SC in the calciner (SCC). 

7.1 STAGED COMBUSTIN IN THE CALCINER (SCC) MECHANISM 

The various zones of the PH/PC kiln system are shown in Figure 7-1. In the PH/PC kiln 

system, NOx formation occurs in the rotary kiln under oxidizing conditions. Fuel is then added to 

the kiln exhaust gas, in the kiln inlet, or in the kiln riser duct so that a reducing zone (a zone 

where less air is available than would be required for complete combustion) is created. This 

promotes the reduction of NOx to molecular oxygen. Finally, air is added in the upper part of the 

calciner, which completes fuel combustion.1 This part of the calciner is known as the burnout 

zone. When the air-to-fuel ratio equals 1, the exact amount of air is present for fuel combustion. 

At an air-to-fuel ratio greater than 1, more air is present than is necessary to complete fuel 

combustion, whereas at an air-to-fuel ratio less than 1, the amount of air present is not sufficient 

for fuel combustion. 

SCC works by staging the introduction of fuel, combustion air, and raw meal in a manner 

to minimize NOx formation and reduce NOx to nitrogen. NOx formed in the kiln’s combustion 

zone is chemically reduced by maintaining a reducing atmosphere at the kiln feed end by firing 

fuel in this region. The reducing atmosphere is maintained in the calciner region by controlling 

combustion air such that the calcining fuel is first burned under reducing conditions to reduce 

NOx, and then burned under oxidizing conditions to complete the combustion reaction. 

Controlling the introduction of raw meal allows for control of the calciner temperature. Through 

these mechanisms, both fuel NOx and thermal NOx are controlled. The combustion chamber 

allows for improved control over the introduction of tertiary air in the calciner region, which 

helps to promote the proper reducing environment for NOx control.2

All new PH/PC kiln systems are designed with multistage combustion (MSC) calciners. 

MSC is actually the version of SC as applied by Polysius. There are several SCC variations 

based on fuel staging or air staging (or both) (see Sections 7.2.1 through 7.2.3 for descriptions). 

According to a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) expert, the best version 

of SCC would be an SCC with High Temperature Reducing Atmosphere (HTRA). HTRA is 

achieved when some or all calciner fuel is burned under aggressive reducing (substoichiometric 

air) and at temperatures significantly higher than calcination temperature. Under such conditions, 

the gas phase reactions that destroy NOx proceed very rapidly and are catalyzed by raw meal. 

Some additional reduction takes place at lower (calcination) temperature as you get char 

combustion. The lower NOx emission level achieved by SCC with HTRA is 2.0 lb/t of clinker. 

A key component of SCC is the kiln inlet burner that creates a high-temperature reducing 

atmosphere. Some projects are considered to be SCC even when they achieve a mild reducing 
38 

atmosphere. Some SCC have a high NOx limit and are operated under an oxidizing atmosphere 

which is easier for operations.3

Rotary kiln

Reduction zone

Air-to-fuel ratio < 1

Burnout zone

Air-to-fuel ratio > 1

Cooler

Calciner

Tertiary air duct

(from clinker cooler)

Preheater

Figure 7-1. Principle of NOx reduction by SCC.4

SCC involves four combustion stages. The first stage is the rotary kiln, where clinker 

burning can be optimized. The second stage is the kiln feed inlet, which provides reducing 

conditions for NOx generated during the sintering process. In the third stage, fuel is introduced 

into the calciner to calcine the raw meal. This calcining fuel is introduced with tertiary air to 

create a reducing atmosphere. The last stage is when the remaining tertiary air is introduced as 

“top-up air” to complete the residual combustion process.5

 SCC systems are complex and require 

integrated monitoring and control systems to closely monitor temperature, fuel, feed, and 

combustion air addition rates. If raw materials are not completely oxidized in the calciner and 

preheater, CO emissions may increase. 

The factors affecting NOx levels for SCC are summarized in Table 7-1. 

Table 7-1. Parameters Affecting NOx and Staged Combustion Responses 6

Kinetic Parameters 

Influencing NOx

Process Parameter 

Influencing NOx Measures for NOX Reduction 

Oxygen concentration Air-to-fuel ratio Air staging 

NO concentration NO at kiln inlet Decrease O2 in rotary kiln 

NH3, HCN, HC, CO concentrations Residence time Calciner design 

Same as above Mixing of gas streams Adjustment of burners, distribution 

of meal, and tertiary air 

Same as above Fuel properties Increase fineness, change fuel 

Temperature Temperature Meal staging 
39 

7.2 THREE TYPES OF SCC 7

7.2.1 Staged-Air

One type of SCC system is a staged-air combustion system, such as the system located at 

Suwannee American Cement (SAC) in Branford, FL (Figure 7-2). With staged-air combustion, 

the calciner burner is vertically orientated in a separate combustion chamber of the type typically 

used for difficult-to-burn units, such as petroleum coke. In this case, the calciner is used to burn 

fuel (coal) in a reducing atmosphere to destroy NOx in the kiln exhaust. The unit at SAC is 

supplied by Polysius; a similar calciner is the Minox Low NOx calciner. 

Exhaust Gas Flow

Raw Meal Flow

Tertiary Air

Clinker

Coal

Calcination

Fuel

Calcined Meal

Figure 7-2. Suwannee American Cement, Branford, Florida, staged-air SCC.7

The SAC plant in Branford has a BACT NOx emissions limit of 2.9 lb/t of clinker on a 

24-hour rolling average basis. The Branford kiln does not fire fuel at the kiln inlet; however, a 

burner is provided for that purpose. Therefore, the version of SCC at the SAC plant achieves a 

reducing atmosphere in the calciner, but not a high-temperature reducing zone near the kiln inlet. 

Under this scenario, typical NOx emissions vary between 2.2 and 2.6 lb/t of clinker. Assuming a 

baseline of 3.5 lb/t of clinker, this version of SCC achieves NOx reductions of approximately 25–

40%. 

Figure 7-3 shows the SCC configuration used during tests conducted in June 2004. Coal 

was burned at the inlet of the SAC kiln. 
40 

Figure 7-3. Suwannee American, Branford, Florida, Polysius MSC – SCC 

with kiln inlet burner.7

7.2.2 Air and Fuel Staging

A second type of SCC system (Figure 7-4) is an air and fuel staging system, such as the 

system used at the Florida Rock Industries (FRI) plant in Newberry, FL. This is a Polysius MSC 

system, horizontally mounted ILC. The calcination burner is mounted horizontally rather than in 

a separate combustion chamber. Provisions are included for a small burner in the kiln inlet 

housing. FRI burns tires at the kiln inlet. 

Figure 7-4. Florida Rock Industries, Newberry, Florida, air and fuel staging – SCC.7

This FRI kiln has a BACT NOx emissions limit of 2.45 lb/t of clinker on a 30-day rolling 

average basis. Data from the first half of 2004 are available and show that typical emissions from 

the FRI kiln are between 1.5 and 2.5 lb/t of clinker, when tires are burned near the kiln inlet. The 

30-day average emissions range from 1.8–2.4 lb/t of clinker, and daily averages range from 1.0–

3.7 lb/t of clinker. According to FRI, higher values near 3 lb/t of clinker are observed on days 

Staged

Air

Fuel

Kiln Calcined Meal

Raw 

Meal

Air

Staged

Air

Fuel

Calcined Meal

Kiln

Reburn

Fuel
41 

when tires were not available, which verifies that fuel burning at the kiln inlet and inducing high 

temperature in the reducing zone can lower NOx emissions. 

7.2.3 Sequenced Fuel and Air

A third type of SCC system (Figure 7-5) is a sequenced fuel and air introduction system, 

such as the system used at the Titan America plant in Medley, FL. This is a low NOx ILC. All 

fuel is fired in a reducing atmosphere near the kiln inlet, and tertiary air is supplied in the lower 

part of the calciner. Raw meal is split and introduced at different sections of the calciner. 

Effective SCC designs typically incorporate meal staging for numerous reasons. One key reason 

is to take advantage of the catalytically enhanced dissociation in the preheater of NO formed in 

the kiln. Another important reason is as a temperature-control strategy. 

This type of calciner does not stage fuel or air, but instead injects all calciner fuel at the 

bottom of the calciner, before the kiln inlet. All tertiary air is introduced at a single point just 

above the fuel. A high-temperature reducing zone is created in the kiln riser duct, and the 

calciner is partially built into the kiln riser. The tertiary air quickly lowers the temperature after 

the reducing zone, and SO2 volatilization is limited. This reduces the potential for coating of 

surfaces with sulfur compounds; thus, coating and plugging are not a problem. 

Figure 7-5. Titan America, Medley, Florida, sequenced fuel and air – SCC.7

Compliance tests at the new 250 t/hr Titan America kiln showed NOx and CO emissions 

at 2.0 and 0.5 lb/t of clinker, respectively. This calciner is not a true SCC system, i.e., it does not 

stage fuel (e.g., use two burners in the calciner) or stage air (e.g., use two tertiary air inputs to the 

calciner). Instead, it depends on the introduction of all calciner fuel into a reducing atmosphere 

near the bottom of the calciner (not actually at the kiln inlet), followed by the introduction of all 

tertiary air at a single level just above the fuel introduction point. 

Averaged over the long term, a well-operated MSC plant under reducing conditions in the 

calciner can achieve NOx emissions at 2.3–2.5 lb/t of clinker. Staging can involve either the 

staging of fuel combustion, combustion air, or both. The basic MSC system operating under 

oxidizing conditions throughout will result in NOx emissions of about 3.5–4.0 lb/t of clinker.7

Air

Fuel

Raw 

Meal

Calcined Kiln Meal
42 

The MSC system can be operated with combustion at various points given the system’s 

fuel-rich conditions. If a kiln inlet burner is used or if tire-derived fuel is fired as supplemental 

fuel at kiln inlet, combustion can occur with sub-stoichiometric combustion air. This creates a 

reducing atmosphere around 1,000–1,100 °C (1,830–2,010 °F). Under these high-temperature 

reducing conditions, a good portion of NOx generated in the kiln is converted to N2, thereby 

reducing NOx emissions. This concept is similar to reburning.

7.3 SUMMARY OF SCC NOX PERFORMANCE 

Table 7-2 is from a Canadian agency report5 and summarizes information obtained on 

several U.S. cement plants and one Canadian plant. Most of the data represents permit data; 

however, emission test data is provided for a few plants. These emissions data reflect the results 

of using multiple NOx controls, including MSC. There are 12 kilns with MSC, process controls 

and LNBs, with emissions ranging from 0.6–1.65 kg/mt (1.2–3.2 lb/t of clinker). The average of 

the emissions of the 11 U.S. kilns that have only process controls, LNBs, and MSC is 1.35 kg/mt 

(2.7 lb/t of clinker). Several other plants use these and other controls. 
43 

Table 7-2. NOx Emissions Performance of Selected Cement Plants 5

A European study8

 indicates that most current European standards (200–500 mg/Nm3

[1.0–2.4 lb/t of clinker]) can be met by MSC systems manufactured by Polysius. Another 

European reference states that there is a 10–50% reduction attributable to SCC that achieves 

emission levels < 500–1000 mg/m3

 (< 2.4–4.8 lb/t of clinker).4
44 

Table 7-3 summarizes the level of performance in U.S. kilns expected from SCC with 

other NOx controls (primarily combustion and process controls) in place (e.g., LNB in kiln and 

process controls). As shown in this table, the NOx level varies considerably from 1.4–3.3 lb/t of 

clinker. The average of these NOx levels (excluding those kilns that burn tires) is 2.5 lb/t of 

clinker. 

Table 7-3. Summary of NOx Performance of SCC in U.S. Kilns 

Source/Location 

NOx

Uncontrolled 

(lb/t) 

NOx Controlled 

(lb/t) Efficiency 

11 US kilns(from Table 7-2) NA 2.2–3.3 

(avg. 2.7) 

NA 

Florida Rock 3.5 3.0 -w/o tires 

1.5–2.5 (midpoint 2.0) -w/ tires 

17% -w/otires 

43% -w/ tires 

Suwannee American NA 2.2–2.6 (range) 

2.4 (midpoint) 

NA 

Titan American NA 2.0 NA 

Lone Star 2.8 1.8 35% 

Cemex Santa Cruz 9 NA 2.5 (0% coal to reducing zone 

1.7 (50% coal to reducing zone) 

1.4 (100% coal to reducing zone) 

1.8 (midpoint) 

NA 

7.4 LIMITATIONS OF MULTISTAGE COMBUSTION (MSC) – HIGH SULFUR 

In kiln systems that have a process mix with a high sulfur to alkali molar ratio, the 

volatility of sulfur increases due to the strong reducing conditions of MSC and relatively low 

oxygen content in the system. Operationally, this increase causes severe preheater plugging to 

occur due to the significant sulfur deposition associated with MSC operation. The required 

conditions needed for optimum MSC operation (low excess oxygen) conflict with the goal of 

preventing sulfur deposition and minimizing operational problems. Thus, a high sulfur/alkali 

molar feed ratio prevents the achievement of maximum NOx reduction using MSC.11 [last]

7.5 REFERENCES 

1. Tokheim, L.-A. The Impact of Staged Combustion on the Operation of a Precalciner 

Cement Kiln. Telemark College, Porsgrumm, Norway. Available at 

www.cement.org/dnld/Staged percent20 Combustion percent20Dissertation.pdf. 

2. Florida Department of Environmental Resources. BACT Determination – Suwannee 

American Cement, Branford Florida. Air NSR/PSD Construction Permits. Available at 

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/Air/permitting/construction/suwannee.htm. Accessed March 6, 

2007. 
45 

3. E-mail transmission from A. Linero, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 

B. Neuffer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Cement Kilns – SNCR. January 6, 

2005. 

4. Hoenig, V. NOx Reduction and Burnout Optimization Using Staged Combustion 

Technology. Research Institute of the Cement Industry (Dusseldorf). Seminar S04-05 

11/3–4/04, Bernburg. 

5. Environment Canada. Foundation Report of the Cement Manufacturing Sector. Draft #1. 

Prepared by Minerals and Metals Brand, Pollution Prevention Directorate. June 18, 2004. 

6. VDZ (German Cement Works Association). Environmental protection in cement 

manufacture. Chapter II in VDZ Activity Report 2003–2005. Figure II-15, p. 55. 2005. 

7. Linero, A. SNCR NOx at US Cement Plants. Is SCR Close Behind? Paper #638 presented 

at the AWMA Annual Conference. June 2005. 

8. Erpelding, R. NOx Reduction with the MSC/SNCR combination: Chances and Risks. 

Krupp Polysius AG. Undated. 

9. Thomsen, K., L.S. Jesen and F. Schomburg. FLS-Fuller ILC-LowNOx Calciner 

Commissioning and Operation at Lone Star St. Cruz in California. Reprint of article 

published in ZKG International, October 1998. 

10. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Assessment of NOx Emissions Reduction 

Strategies for Cement Kilns – Ellis County. Final Report. Prepared by ERG. July 14, 

2006. Available at www.tceq.state.tx.us/implementation/air/sip/BSA_settle.html. 

11. Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Technical Evaluation, Preliminary 

Determination, Draft BACT Determination, Sumter Cement Company. December 21, 

2005. Available at www.dep.state.fl.us/Air/permitting/construction/american/ 

TEPD358.pdf. 
46 

[This page intentionally left blank.] 
47 

8.0 SELECTIVE NONCATALYTIC REDUCTION (SNCR) 

8.1 BASIS OF SNCR 

The SNCR process is basically the injection of ammonia in the form of ammonia water or 

urea in the flue-gas at a suitable temperature. An aqueous ammonia solution is the reagent that 

has been most often used for cement kilns, and experience indicates that an ammonia solution is 

most effective for PH/PC cement kiln applications.1, 2, 3 Other reagent alternatives include 

anhydrous ammonia (injected as a gas), urea solutions, and ammonium sulfate solutions. 

An SNCR system’s performance depends on temperature, residence time, turbulence, 

oxygen content, and a number of factors specific to the given gas stream. These factors are 

discussed later in this report. SNCR removes NOx (90–95% of NOx in flue gas is NO) by a twostep process, as follows: 

 Ammonia reacts with available hydroxyl radicals to form amine radicals and water: 

 NH3 + OH Æ NH2 + H2O (1) 

 Amine radicals combine with nitrogen oxides to form nitrogen and water: 

 NH2 + NO Æ N2 + H2O (2) 

These 2 steps are typically expressed as follows: 

 4 NO + 4 NH3 + O2 Æ 4 N2 + 6 H2O (3) 

and 

 4 NH3 + 2 NO2 + O2 Æ 3 N2 + 6 H2O (4) 

Equation 3 is the predominant reaction because 90–95% of NOx in flue gas is NO.4

These equations suggest that SNCR will function best in an oxidizing atmosphere, 

whereas the following equation shows that in a reducing atmosphere, CO competes with 

ammonia for available OH radicals, thus inhibiting reaction 1. 

 CO + OH Æ CO2 + H (5) 

8.2 EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR SNCR 5

Onsite storage vessels and a truck-unloading stand are required to receive the delivery of 

ammonia or urea to a plant. Ammonia and urea may be received as a liquid solution or may be 

mixed with water onsite to the desired solution concentration (typically 10–25% ammonia/urea). 

If mixed onsite, additional water storage, purification, pumping, and mixing equipment is 

required. The purification system removes minerals from the water that may cause plugging of 

the ammonia delivery system. Insulation and heating of urea lines is required to prevent the urea 

from crystallizing and/or the water solution from freezing. Ammonia, in the form of anhydrous 
48 

ammonia gas, must be stored in cylinders, and all forms of ammonia have specific transportation, 

handling, and storage requirements. 

The ammonia solution is pumped through pipes and delivered into the calciner or 

preheater tower through an injection lance. This injection process requires a pump, pump skid, 

and ammonia-flow control unit. The exact location and number of injection points will differ 

from one system to the next and are optimized through testing. 

Measurement equipment is necessary to maintain the appropriate ammonia feed rate. 

Additional monitoring equipment is required to record the amount of NOx and ammonia slip in 

the gases exiting the SNCR system to adjust the amount of ammonia entering the system. 

Temperature monitors are also required to make sure that the ammonia is delivered to the correct 

location. 

8.3 APPROPRIATE TEMPERATURE FOR SNCR 

As mentioned in Section 8.1, the temperature window for the SNCR reactions is critical.2

Table 8-1 shows the acceptable ranges from various references. At higher temperatures, 

ammonia will react with oxygen, thereby increasing NOx concentrations. At lower temperatures, 

the rates of NOx reduction reactions become too slow, resulting in excessive ammonia slip or the 

excessive build-up of ammonia in raw materials. The range is 870–1,100 °C (1,600–2,000 °F). 

The performance of urea and ammonia at various temperatures is displayed in Figure 8-1, which 

shows that ammonia has a slightly higher efficiency than urea at temperatures between 760–

930 °C (1,400–1,700 °F) and urea has slightly higher efficiency between 950–1,040 °C (1,750–

1,900 °F).5

Table 8-1. Suitable Temperatures for SNCR 

Reference Ammonia/Urea Gas Temp (°C) Gas Temp (°F) 

EC/R Report6 Urea 870–1,090 1,600–2,000 

Mussati5 Urea 900–1,150 1,650–2,100 

Florida Rock test report 7 Urea 1,000 1,830 

EC/R Report 6 Ammonia 920–980 1,660–1,840 

Mussati 5 Ammonia 870–1,100 1,600–2,000 

Florida Rock test report 7 Ammonia 950 1,750 

Technical evaluation – 

Suwanee8

Both 850–1,050 1,560–1,920 

NESCAUM 9 Both 870–1,100 1,600–2,000 

Draft 1 fond report 1 Both 800–1,100 1,470–2,000 

Penta report 10 Both 900–1,000 1,650–1,830 
49 

Figure 8-1. Ammonia and urea reduction at various temperatures.5

8.3.1 Location of Suitable Temperature

For PH/PC kiln systems, the likely locations for suitable temperatures are at the cooler 

end of the rotating kiln, in the riser duct, and in the lower section of the cyclone preheater tower.6

The major cement kiln manufacturer, Polysius, believes there are three possible SNCR 

injection points (refer to Figure 8-2 for the locations of injection points a, b, and c): 9

a. Combustion zone in the part of calciner operated under reducing conditions (930–

990 °C [1,710–1,810 °F]). This location is most ideal as far as temperature is 

concerned. 

b. Oxidation zone under the upper air inlet before the deflection chamber (850–890 °C 

[1,560–1,630 °F]). 

c. Area after the mixing chamber before the inlet to the bottom cyclone stage. 
50 

Optional points for adding SNCR reducing agent

NH3

NH3

NH3

NH3

mixing chamber

fuel

tertiaryair

fuel

fuel

fuel

(kiln inlet)

burnout

air

tertiary 

air

mixing

chamber

meal from 

preheater

meal from 

preheater

c 

b c 

a 

a a 

b 

Figure 8-2. Possible SNCR injection points.9 

8.4 OTHER FACTORS AFFECTING SNCR 

Other important design and operational factors that affect NOx reduction by an SNCR 

system are the following: 10

 Residence time available in optimum temperature range 

 Degree of mixing between injected reagent and combustion gases 

 Uncontrolled NOx concentration level 

 Molar ratio of injected reagent to uncontrolled NOx. 

8.4.1 Residence Time

Residence time is an important parameter for SNCR performance. Time is required for 

the following: 

 Mixing of injected ammonia solutions/urea with flue gas 

 Evaporation of water 

 Decomposition of NH3 to NH2 and free radicals 

 Decomposition of urea to NH3, if urea is used 

 NOx reduction reaction chemistry. 

Increasing the residence time available for mass transfer and chemical reactions generally 

increases the NOx removal. In addition, as the temperature window is lowered, greater residence 

time is needed to achieve the same NOx reduction level. Residence time can vary from 0.001 to 

10 seconds; however, the gain in performance for residence times greater than 0.5 seconds is 

generally minimal.11 For cement kilns, one source stated that the required residence time is 0.5–

1.0 seconds.11 Figure 8-3 below shows the increased performance of SNCR as the residence time 

is increased. 
51 

Figure 8-3. NOx reduction and residence time.11

8.4.2 Degree of Mixing 10

For the reduction reaction to occur, the reagent must be dispersed and mixed throughout 

the flue gas so that there can be contact between the NOx and the reagent. Dispersion must occur 

rapidly due to the volatility of the ammonia solution. Mixing is performed by the injection 

system. Injectors (called spray nozzles or lances) atomize the reagent and control the spray angle, 

velocity, and direction of the injected reagent. To assist in dispersion of aqueous urea, the 

reagent is atomized into droplets by specially designed nozzles that optimize droplet size and 

distribution. The location and number of injection points may affect the success of NOx

reduction, and these variables should be tested for each kiln system. 

Inadequate mixing can be improved by the following: 

 Increasing energy imparted to droplets 

 Increasing the number of injectors (between one to six nozzles at gas riser) 

 Increasing the number of injection zones 

 Modifying the atomizer nozzle design to improve the solution droplet size, 

distribution, spray angle, and direction 

8.4.3 Uncontrolled NOx 

Reaction kinetics decrease as the concentration of reactants decreases. This is due to 

thermodynamic considerations that limit the reduction process at low NOx concentrations. For 

lower NOx inlet concentrations, the optimum temperature for reaction is lower; hence, the 

percent NOx reduction is lower. Figure 8-4 shows the effect of three different NOx

concentrations on the reduction efficiency. At 980 °C (1,800 °F), 54% efficiency is obtained at a 

200 ppm concentration; 41% efficiency at 70 ppm; and 12% at 30 ppm.1
52 

Figure 8-4. Effect of initial NOx level on reduction efficiency.12

8.4.4 Normalized Stoichiometric Ratio (NSR)

As applied to NOx controls, NSR is the ratio of moles of ammonia/urea applied to moles 

of NOx in the flue gas. In theory, two moles of NOx can be removed by one mole of urea or two 

moles of ammonia. However, in practice, more than the theoretical amount of reagent is needed 

to obtain a specific level of NOx reduction. This is due to the complexity of the actual chemical 

reactions involving NOx and the injected reagent, as well as the mixing limitations between the 

reagent and flue gas. 

One source estimates that NOx emissions are reduced between 60–80% at an ammonia 

injection rate of NH3:NOx of 1–1.5. Using a molar ratio of 0.5, NOx reductions are 

approximately 40%.6

 Figure 8-5 shows the effects of varying the Normalized Stoichiometric 

Ratio (NSR) at three European cement kilns. At an NSR of 1.0, NOx reductions varied from 42–

70%. 
53 

NOx reduction depending on NH3/NO

molar ratio for precalciner kilns

source: Krupp Polysius AG(ZKG 7/2001)

0

20

40

60

80

100

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6

NH3/NO molar ratio

NOX reduction [%]

kiln A

kiln B

kiln C

Figure 8-5. Impact of Normalized Stoichiometric Ratio on NOx reduction.9

8.5 POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH SNCR 

Not all of the ammonia injected into the SNCR system reacts with NOx, and the 

unreacted ammonia is called ammonia slip. Ammonia in the flue gas stream can have a 

detectable odor at levels of 5 ppm or greater. Health concerns can occur at ammonia slip levels 

of 25 ppm or greater. When burning fuels containing chlorine compounds, stack plume visibility 

problems can occur due to the formation of ammonium chlorides. Limits on ammonia slip are 

imposed by permits or design requirements. These limits place a constraint on the NOx reduction 

achieved by an SNCR system. 

 In addition, operating experience identified several concerns with the build up of 

ammonium bisulfite scale when burning sulfur-containing fuels.2

 Sulfide or elemental sulfur 

contained in the fuels or raw materials may be roasted or oxidized to SO2 in areas of the 

pyroprocessing system where sufficient oxygen is present and the material temperature is 300–

600 °C (570–1,100 °F). For some cement plants, SO2 is not a problem. Uncontrolled SO2

emissions are only about 0.10 lb/t of clinker and less than 100 t/yr at Florida’s PH/PC kilns 

because there are minute amounts of sulfur in most of the available limestone. Uncontrolled SO2

can be as much as two orders of magnitude greater when pyritic sulfur is present in raw 

materials. Unreacted ammonia from the SNCR process or from raw materials reacts with SO2

and SO3 at temperatures prevalent in the upper preheater, pollution control equipment, and 

outside the stack. Ammonium bisulfate, ammonium sulfate, and ammonium bisulfite may be 

formed.7
54 

When the kiln system is operating with the raw mill on line (the raw mill uses gases from 

the kiln and clinker cooler to dry the raw materials), the compounds condense and are returned to 

the feed system and preheater, where they are revaporized. Subsequently, these compounds 

condense in the raw mill system. When the raw mill is taken off line, the volatile salts are no 

longer captured in the raw mill and move to the particulate matter (PM) collection device 

(baghouse or electrostatic precipitator [ESP]). Because the PM control does not capture these 

new, high concentrations as efficiently, the plume becomes highly visible. When the raw mill is 

put back into operation, the plume is not visible. This cycle continues indefinitely. It would seem 

that a filter cake in a baghouse would even out these emissions more so than an ESP, so it is not 

a foregone conclusion that the plume will be highly visible. 

If the plant has a persistent, detached plume due to ammonium sulfate, it is necessary to 

eliminate ammonia or sulfur dioxide. The obvious method for this is to minimize ammonia use 

when SO2 emissions are likely. 

Operating the raw mill also promotes SO2 removal by limestone scrubbing under humid 

conditions, due in part to the freshly generated limestone surface produced by grinding. Some of 

the SO2 generated in the top preheater stages is also scrubbed out by small amounts of free CaO 

that are carried back from hotter zones by combustion flue gases. 

Another SO2 removal technique is to extend the inherent self-scrubbing by CaO that 

occurs in the calciner to the upper sections of the preheater, where pyrite-derived SO2 is evolved. 

This involves conveyance of CaO from the calciner to the upper stages of the preheater, which 

consists of a cyclone and some ductwork and no moving parts. 

If these three SO2 measures are insufficient, then conventional wet or dry scrubbers can 

be considered. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality estimated that the TXI 

Midlothian scrubber cost $13 million. SO2 emissions were permitted at 1.33 lb/t of clinker, but it 

is not certain whether SO2 emissions are that high. If they are that high and an SNCR system is 

installed, it might be necessary to limit ammonia slip or to further enhance SO2 removal to avoid 

a detached plume. 

A very fine suspension of slaked CaO can be introduced into gas-conditioning tower to 

remove SO2, particularly when the raw mill is not operating. The droplets react, dry, and are 

captured by the PM controls, where the excess CaO (from the dried droplets) will continue to 

remove the remaining SO2.

7

8.6 SNCR EXPERIENCE 

8.6.1 United States – Early Tests

According to EPA’s NOx ACT reports, there was very limited experience with SNCR at 

cement kilns; however, two U.S. plants that were tested with SNCR systems and that are 

mentioned in these reports are discussed below. 
55 

8.6.1.1 Ash Grove Cement - Seattle, Washington13

A week-long test of a Nalco Fuel Tech (urea) system at the Ash Grove Cement plant in 

Seattle, WA, was performed in October 1993. This test was conducted on a 160 tons per hour 

(t/hr) 5-stage PH/PC kiln under 10 different operating conditions representing a wide range of 

fuel firing and excess air conditions. The urea-based system was easily installed at the plant 

using an existing port and available resources without a plant outage. Plant operation was 

unaffected during testing. A commercial system should also be easily adapted to plant operations 

and easily maintained. The NOx emission limit (422 lb/hr or 2.6 lb/t) was maintained under 

various kiln/calciner operating conditions. 

The urea reagent was injected at three ports at the top of the calciner, three ports halfway 

up the calciner, and four ports at the bottom of the calciner. During the test, the kiln feed rate was 

steady at 100 t/hr, and the kiln was fired with natural gas. As a result of the injections, NOx

emissions were reduced from 350–600 lb/hr to less than 100 lb/hr. The NOx reduction was 

greater than 80% for most cases, and chemical utilization of urea was greater than 50%. These 

excellent results were attributed to a high degree of mixing and a long residence time at an 

appropriate temperature in the preheater tower. The average ammonia slip was 4 ppm above 

baseline at an NSR of 1. 

When firing gas into the kiln and coal in the calciner, uncontrolled NOx emissions 

averaged 2.8 lb/t of material input. When gas was fired in both units, uncontrolled NOx

emissions were 2.9 lb/t of clinker. Based on limited short-term data using stabilized urea, NOx

was reduced by ~27% at an NSR of 0.5 and by ~55% at an NSR of 1.0.14 At an NSR of 1.5, the 

NOx reduction was as high as 80%, and chemical utilizations were higher than 50%. At an NSR 

of 2, a 90% reduction of NOx was obtained. The EC/R report indicates that under 10 different 

operating conditions at this same kiln, NOx was reduced from 3.5–6.0 lb/t of clinker to less than 

1 lb/t clinker.6

 

SO2 and CO were unchanged from baseline levels at an NSR < 0.7. At a higher NSR, 

these emissions also remained near baseline levels when the preheater oxygen concentration was 

> 2.3%. However, both SO2 and CO increased slightly with increased chemical injection rates at 

lower oxygen. Ammonia at the exit of the preheater was erratic, ranging from 6 ppm under 

baseline to 10 ppm at an NSR of 1. 

8.6.1.2 LaFarge – Davenport, Iowa

A NOxOut® system (urea) was tested in October 1998 at LaFarge’s plant in Davenport, 

IO. Much lower NOx reductions were obtained (10–20% from uncontrolled emissions of 350 

lb/hr) at the LaFarge plant, the reasons for which are presented below.15

The LaFarge plant is unusual due to the high proportion of heat released in the plant’s 

calciner. Most PH/PC kilns supply 50% of heat input to the calciner. Unlike the Ash Grove plant, 

where only 5–10% of heat input is added at the calciner, 70% heat input is added at the calciner 

at the LaFarge plant. This difference affects the gas temperature in the calciner and the gasretention time in the 860–1,090 °C (1,600–2,000 °F) range where SNCR is effective. The flue 

gas in the Ash Grove system stayed within this range for a longer time, and the gas retention 
56 

time in the calciner was 2.7 seconds compared to 1.95 seconds at the LaFarge plant. The LaFarge 

unit operates at 815–920 °C (1,500–1,700 °F), and Ash Grove operates at 840–1,130 °C (1,540–

2,070 °F); thus, the Ash Grove unit has a larger window within this range. 

In addition, a significant portion (40–60%) of the kiln flue gas at LaFarge is bypassed 

prior to the calciner; therefore, roughly half of the kiln exhaust gas is not treated by SNCR. Raw 

material at the LaFarge plant is highly alkaline (e.g., sodium, potassium) compared to the 

material processed at the Ash Grove plant. The LaFarge alkali bypass provides the ability to 

control alkali content of the clinker product; thus, anticipated SNCR control should be much less 

than 30–70% because roughly 50% of the kiln’s flue gas was not treated by SNCR. The gas exit 

temperature of the bypass gas is 920 °C (1,700 °F), but is immediately quenched by adding 

dilution air to 430–780 °C (800–900 °F). There is not sufficient time for the addition of SNCR to 

this gas stream (the alkali bypass stream). Data during the Fuel Tech tests in October 1998 

indicate that approximately one-third of uncontrolled stack emissions are from the bypass. 

Another reason why SNCR was not effective at La Farge was due to the PH/PC 

temperature profiles.16 No section of the calciner had an ideal temperature profile for SNCR. The 

reagent injection is at the top of the preheater (after the Stage 4 cyclone), where the temperature 

is around 890 °C (1,640 °F). The temperature drops by 90–120 °C (200–250 °F) over the next 

1.3 seconds as gases pass through the Stage 4 cyclone. Thus, the temperature is marginally 

within the SNCR window and there is a slight NOx reduction. Ammonia slip was 14 ppm from 

the 5–6 ppm baseline. Flue gases have cooled well below the SNCR temperature window; 

therefore, no reduction was found. Ammonia slip was 47–52 ppm.17 The optimal SNCR 

temperature window is 860–1,090 °C (1,600–2,000 °F); however, this window only appears in 

the upper calciner/lower Stage 4 cyclone zone of the LaFarge kiln system. The temperature in 

this zone of the LaFarge kiln system ranges from 860–920 °C (1,600–1,700 °F), with a residence 

time of less than two seconds. At LaFarge, the temperature of flue gas in the riser between the 

kiln exit and the bottom of calciner is 815 +/-10 °C (1,500+/-50 °F). The peak temperature in the 

calciner is 920 °C (1,700 °F), and the temperature at the exit of calciner is 890 °C (1,640 °F). 

The gas residence time in the calciner is 1.95 seconds. Flue gases exit the calciner and enter the 

Stage 4 cyclone preheater (taking 1.3 seconds).17 

By comparison, at Ash Grove, the combustion gas from the kiln enters the bottom of the 

calciner at 1,120 °C (2,070 °F). The gas temperature at the top of the calciner is 830 °C 

(1,540 °F). The horizontal temperature profiles were essentially flat, with less than a 8 °C (15 °F) 

variation across the preheater cross section. The estimated residence time in the calciner is 

2.7 seconds. After leaving the kiln, the maximum temperature reached by the flue gas is 920 °C 

(1,700 °F) at the middle of the calciner, very near the combustion zone. Results for the Ash 

Grove and LaFarge pilot tests are summarized in Table 8-2. 
57 

Table 8-2. Summary of Pilot Test Results for Ash Grove and LaFarge 

Parameter Ash Grove, Seattle, WA LaFarge, Davenport, IA 

NOx Reduction (%) 27, 55, 80 (at NSR of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 

respectively) 

10–20 

Heat input to precalciner (%) 5–10 70 

Alkali bypass (%) 0 40–60 

Gas residence time for SNCR reaction (sec) 2.7 1.95 

8.6.2 U.S. Plants Presently Using or Installing SNCR 

8.6.2.1 Hercules Cement – Stockertown, PA (Using SNCR)

The oldest existing, full-scale SNCR installation on a cement kiln presently operating in 

the United States is located at Hercules Cement in Stockertown, PA. This SNCR system uses a 

19% ammonium hydroxide solution (AHS) and was installed in 2001 on kiln #3 (a PH/PC kiln). 

Kiln #3, also equipped with LNB, accounts for 60% of the cement production at this plant.18

The Hercules Cement SNCR system was installed to comply with RACT levels, and NOx

reductions of 25% (300 ppm) have been achieved using this system. The reduction rates of 

11.5% are sustainable, and the system has no impact on clinker production.19

Tests in 2003 show ammonia emissions to be 13 ppmdv (28 ppmvd @ 7% oxygen). If a 

good spot for injecting the AHS into Kiln #1 can be found, an overall reduction of 40–50% at the 

stack may be seen. The annual cost for AHS is $20,000-35,000.18

The ammonia injection for the Hercules Cement PH/PC kiln is near the bottom of the 

calciner rather than at the 180 degree bend before the bottom cyclone. This location is better 

because of its low CO and maximum oxygen, because the ammonia does not have to compete 

with CO for available OH radicals. SNCR performance might also be limited by the possibility 

of a detached plume if there are pyrites in the raw material.20

8.6.2.2 St Mary’s Cement – Charlevoix, MI (Using SNCR) 

An SNCR system was temporarily installed on the PH/PC kiln system at the St. Mary’s 

Cement plant in Charlevoix, MI, and pilot tests were conducted in April of 2005. The SNCR 

system was utilized through the 2005 ozone season. The plant is in the process of permanently 

installing an SNCR (urea) system. According to State of Michigan personnel, the permanent 

SNCR system is being installed to comply with Michigan NOx Rule 801, which sets a limit of 

6.5 lb/t of clinker (30-day rolling average) during the ozone season.20, 21 The kiln was originally a 

long wet kiln that was modified to a PH/PC kiln in 1977. 

Daily averages for the period May 1–September 30, 2005, were obtained from the State 

of Michigan. The 30-day rolling averages beginning May 30, 2005, range from 4.41–6.38 lb/t of 

clinker for this period. Clinker production varied between 716 and 4,516 t/day, and there were 11 
58 

days during this period when the kiln did not operate. Most days, the production range for clinker 

varied between 3,800 and 4,500 t/day.22

According to plant personnel, the St. Mary’s plant uses a 40% urea solution. The kiln has 

a lot of up and down operations and operates typically at about 70–80% capacity during the 

ozone season. The calciner and kiln are both permitted to burn coal, and there is a test trial 

permit for the firing of petroleum coke. This trial will dictate what percentage of coke will be 

burned in the system. There is also a 10–30% alkali bypass on the St. Mary’s system. The urea 

solution is currently injected above the kiln feed shelf and before the calciner. Other locations for 

injections were tested, such as after the calciner and at the upper stage and entrance of the 

calciner, but optimum efficiency was obtained at the present location.23

8.6.2.3 Cemex - Brooksville, Florida (Using SNCR)24

Cemex has installed an SNCR system on two existing preheater kilns (not PH/PC kilns) 

in Brooksville, FL. An SNCR system is presently operating on one of the two kilns, and the other 

kiln will start operating SNCR after obtaining a permit to test tires and petroleum coke as fuels. 

The Cemex SNCR system uses a 19% ammonia solution with one injection nozzle at the kiln 

inlet, where the optimum temperature for ammonia (850–1,150 °C [1,550–2,100 °F]) is 

available. The oxygen content is typically 1.5–2.0% at this location. There are also three 

injection nozzles in the riser duct, but these are not used. 

The ammonia solution injection rate for the single injection point can vary from 0–15 

liters per minute or up to 0.35 lb-moles of ammonia per minute. Assuming an ammonia 

utilization rate of 75%, based on other tests in Florida, equates to a potential NOx reduction of up 

to 15 lb-moles/hr. A NOx reduction of about 4–5 lb-moles/hr equates to a NOx reduction from 

the present maximum rate of 4.0 lb/t of clinker to the proposed emission rate of 2.0 lb/t of 

clinker; therefore, there is assurance that the SNCR system is capable of delivering the required 

ammonia. The molar ratio for this reduction is 0.6–0.7. 

Cemex plant operators believe that, even with the potentially greater NOx emissions 

during the firing of petroleum coke or coke/coal mixture, there is sufficient ammonia delivery 

capability with the single injection point to achieve 2.0 lb/t of clinker. 

As noted previously, preheater kilns are less fuel efficient that PH/PC kilns. In addition, 

all fuel is burned at the main kiln burner in a preheater kiln, so a great deal of thermal NOx is 

produced. The uncontrolled emission rate for preheater kilns is also higher than for PH/PC kilns 

as shown in Table 6-1. 

According to the state agency, the two kilns in 2007 achieved about 2.0 lb/t of clinker. 

Ammonia injection has increased because the kiln was not fully converted to indirect firing when 

a new low NOx burner was installed. Cemex plant operators plan to complete the conversion to 

indirect firing over the next year, which is expected to improve the plant’s process control and 

require less ammonia injection.25

The plant submitted plans for a third PH/PC kiln, but decided not to go forward with its 

construction. The kiln was to burn up to 100% petroleum coke. The draft BACT determination 

by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection would require a limit of 1.5 lb/t of 
59 

clinker on a 30-day basis. More information is available at www.dep.state.fl.us/Air/permitting/ 

construction/cemex/TEPD.pdf.25

8.6.2.4 Holcim, Midlothian, Texas (Using SNCR)26–30

The Holcim plant in Midlothian, TX, operates two PH/PC kiln lines. Line 1 was 

commissioned in 1987, and Line 2 was commissioned in March 2000. The plant exceeded 1998–

99 NOx permit limits and was therefore required to test SNCR. The permit limit was 1,659 t/yr 

for the combined kilns. 

Line 2 has an LNB in the kiln, an MSC, and provisions for alternative fuels. Line 1 uses 

alternative fuels, but does not have an LNB or SCC. Wet scrubbers were added to both lines and 

were predicted to remove 25% of NOx based on European operations. However, in the United 

States, most NOx emissions from cement kilns are NO, so little reduction using this scrubber was 

obtained. 

The SNCR system (using a 19.5% ammonia solution) was tested on both lines in 2005. 

For both lines, the ammonia solution was injected at the point where the temperature was 

approximately 900 °C (1,650 °F). For Line 1, the injection location was the riser duct after the 

calciner and before the bottom-stage cyclone. For Line 2, the selected injection point was on the 

riser duct after the tertiary air input and before the calciner. These locations were optimal with 

regard to temperature, retention time, and cross-sectional spray distribution.31 The entire airflow 

was tested at full load conditions and at all operating parameters (e.g., mill-up/down, scrubberup/down). The test period was approximately two weeks per line. On a routine basis, Line 1 

achieved a 40–45% reduction, and Line 2 achieved a 30–40% reduction. These numbers only 

establish SNCR “applicable” and “effective” levels. The NOx reduction was as high as 80%, but 

at this reduction, there was excessive ammonia slip and pluggage at the preheater. 

According to Holcim personnel, full-scale SNCR systems began operating on April 15, 

2006, on Lines 1 and 2. The ammonia solution was added at the top of the preheater for Line 1 

and at the top of the pyroclone for Line 2.31 

Table 8-3 summarizes curves prepared on the performance of the SNCR systems for the 

two Holcim lines. The SNCR testing commenced with a molar ratio of 0.4 and increased. No 

significant change in CO was observed during the SNCR testing; however, a general increase in 

ammonia emissions was observed. A plug formed at the top of the Line 1 preheater tower 

following testing at molar injection rates greater than 1.0. It is unknown if this plugging was 

directly related to the increase of molar ratio or was a gradual, continuous process of ammonium 

sulfate and ammonium bisulfate deposition in the preheater tower. 

Table 8-3. NOx Reductions (%) for Lines 

at Holcim, Midlothian, Texas 

Line NSR- 0.4 NSR- 0.6 NSR- 0.7 NSR- 1.0 

1 30 43 47 60* 

2 10 28 32 45* 

* Sharp increases in NH3 emissions 
60 

The new NOx permit limits for the combined kilns are 3,738 t/yr and 1,300 lb/hr. During 

the ozone season (May 1– September 30), NOx must not exceed 1,564 tons for the combined 

kilns. Additional SNCR testing was conducted in 2006 and will continue in 2007 and may result 

in changes to the NOx permit limits. 

8.6.2.5 Holcim – Lee Island, Missouri (Installing SNCR)

Construction of this new Holcim plant began in summer 2006, and the expected 

completion date is 2008–2009. The annual clinker production capacity of the new plant will be 

4.828 million tons, using one PC/PH kiln system.32

An SNCR system is to be installed as innovative control technology no later than 24 

months after the plant commences operation. After the installation of the SNCR system, NOx

emissions on 12-month rolling operation will be less than 1,322.8 lb/hr and 2.4 lb/t of clinker. 

There will also be a summer season (May 1 to September 30) NOx emission limit of 1,622 tons. 

This limit includes 530 t/yr of emission-reduction credits. In no case shall NOx emissions exceed 

1,822 tons of NOx for the summer season from the ILC and raw mill system.33 

Plant operators have recently contracted with FLS to install an FLS calciner. FLS will 

design the kiln to achieve 1.6 lb/t of clinker during the ozone season to avoid the possibility of 

required production reduction to meet the seasonal tonnage.25 The emission limit is in tons rather 

than in lb NOx/t clinker so that the plant could use controls or reduce production, or a 

combination of the two, to comply with the emission limit.34

8.6.2.6 Lehigh Portland Cement – Mason City, Iowa (Using SNCR)

An SNCR demonstration test was done on PH/PC kiln #8 at Lehigh Portland Cement in 

Mason City, IO. Lehigh’s kiln #8 is equipped with LNB and has a capacity of 1,050,000 t/yr. 

Other existing controls include an ESP for PM and a scrubber for SO2. During stable operation, 

the SNCR system reduced NOx emissions by 22%. The molar ratio data used during this test are 

considered confidential business information. 

The SNCR system was required to be installed as BACT in a 2004 prevention of 

significant deterioration (PSD) permit. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 

concluded that the plant was capable of installing SNCR as a retrofit technology as part of a 

major plant upgrade. The precalciner vessel was replaced by a larger vessel, and all of the four 

stage cyclones were replaced with a larger, more efficient vessel.16

The SNCR system was installed in late 2005. A 180-day shakedown period has been 

completed, and compliance was being achieved. The Fuel Tech urea reagent is injected in two 

locations – two injectors at the crossover duct and five injectors at the top of the calciner. The 

SCNR system is operated year round. 

The NOx emission limit is 2.85 lb/t of clinker (30-day rolling average), a 25% reduction 

due to SNCR. Therefore, uncontrolled NOx is 3.8 lb/t of clinker. In addition, there is a calendar 

monthly average limit of 5 lb/hr. The calciner burns fuel in substoichiometric conditions.35
61 

8.6.2.7 Drake Cement – Arizona (Installing SNCR)

A proposed Drake Cement plant is expected to be constructed and commence operation 

in 2008. The nominal capacity of the PH/PC kiln system is 660,000 t/yr. The system will be a 

rotary kiln, 6-stage preheater, low NOx calciner with a clinker production of 2,000 t/day. The 

maximum capacity of the plant will be 83 T of clinker/hr, and the kiln will operate 7,920 hrs/yr. 

The rotary kiln and calciner will burn coal, which will be less than 0.90 weight percent sulfur. 

The raw limestone will have a total sulfur content < 0.01 weight percent. Fuel combustion in the 

calciner will be 50–55% of the total energy demand of the PH/PC kiln system; the energy 

demand of the rotary kiln will be 45–50%. There will be low sulfur in the raw material. One ton 

of raw feed material requires 0.0765 tons of coal. Approximately 1.53 tons of raw materials are 

required to produce one ton of clinker.36

The air permit application submitted in June 2004 proposed an emission limit of 2.3 lb/t 

of clinker on a 24-hr basis. The controls to be used include LNBs in the kiln, a low NOx calciner, 

and MSC. The draft permit issued by the State of Arizona has a BACT limit of 1.95 lb/t of 

clinker (30-day rolling average).36 For the first 180 days after initial startup of the rotary kiln, the 

NOx emission limit will be 2.45 lb/t of clinker on a daily rolling 30-day average. To comply with 

Class I considerations, the limit is 95 lb/hr on an hourly 24-hr average. Using the maximum 

production rate of 83 t/hr of clinker, this is equivalent to 1.14 lb/t of clinker vs. 1.25 lb/t clinker 

by SNCR. This suggests that BACT is not necessarily the lowest limit for NOx when there are 

other issues to consider, such as visibility.36

It is expected that the reagent injection (ammonia in an aqueous solution) will be 

introduced in the space between the calciner and the bottom stage of the preheater, which has a 

temperature window of 860–980 °C (1,580–1,800 °F). 

As described in an Innovative Control Technology analysis, Drake intends to reduce NOx

emissions to 416 t/yr, with a voluntary limit that has been proposed as result of Air Quality 

Impact Analysis. Drake also proposes to add SNCR in conjunction with the currently proposed 

BACT limit. 

To meet the voluntarily accepted, modeling-driven limit, Drake plans to optimize SNCR 

systems and other process and air pollution control equipment to minimize NOx emissions. If 

these operations do not reduce NOx to 416 t/yr, Drake will curtail production to ensure that 

416 t/yr is not exceeded during any 12-month period. 

With a six-stage PH/PC process and a low NOx calciner (i.e., offering multistage or 

stageless combustion and sufficient residence time), the NOx emission rate is estimated to be 

1.9–2.3 lb/t of clinker. According to its Class 1 application, Drake Cement’s use of these 

combustion design features will deliver an emission rate that satisfies BACT requirements. The 

NOx concentration leaving the calciner and entering the SNCR will not be as high as plants using 

current combustion technology. This has the benefit of reducing the additional NOx reduction by 

SNCR that is necessary to achieve the proposed emission limit of 95 lb/hr. Therefore, the portion 

of overall NOx reduction attributable to SNCR is within current process capabilities with respect 

to both relative proportion (percent controlled) and absolute magnitude (lb/hr removed).37
62 

Drake has the advantage of incorporating features that will improve SNCR performance 

as an integral part of the process design rather than retrofitting equipment. It is anticipated that 

this design effort (which will build on recent developments) will be successful. Therefore, Drake 

will be able to operate at NH3/NO stoichiometric ratios of approximately 1.0. Experience at 

existing kilns shows that holding the ammonia slip at approximately 15 mg/Nm3 or 10–12 ppm 

is reasonable. 

8.6.2.8 Suwannee American Cement (SAC) – Branford, Florida (Using SNCR)2

Several cement kilns in Florida have installed SNCR technologies, tested SNCR, or plan 

to install SNCR. All Florida cement kilns have multi-channel main kiln burners with indirect 

firing (meaning low primary air blowing in the pulverized coal) known as LNB, as well as MSC 

calciners. 

SAC in Branford, FL (Figure 8-6) has an indirect-fired PH/PC kiln that began operation 

in 2003. The operators wanted to expand capacity and gain operational flexibility for controlling 

NOx emissions. The original clinker production limit was 105 t/hr, and the requested limit was 

120 t/hr. The SAC plant tested an SNCR system in November 2004 and permanently installed 

the system in April 2005. 

The plant’s calciner operates at about 1,090 °C (2,000 °F), and the rotary kiln operates at 

1,650 °C (3,000 F). Both units burn coal. The preheater exhaust gases go through the raw mill 

and then to a baghouse. Fly ash is injected directly to the calciner and also to the top of 

preheater. 

Figure 8-6. Suwannee American Cement – Branford, Florida. 
63 

According to plant personnel, the advantages of using SNCR are the following: 37

 Greater kiln stability 

 Prolonged periods of increased production 

 Fewer kiln process problems (build-up in riser duct) 

 Reduced NOx 

 Possibility to use petroleum coke with current NOx limits. 

The disadvantages of using SNCR are the following: 

 Higher than average CO 

 Ammonia emissions observed during raw mill offline periods. Ammonia emissions 

may occur over longer periods of time when the raw mill system is operational. 

In selecting where to inject the ammonia solution, it is important to separate the NO 

reduction reaction from combustion. This is ensured when the ammonia solution injection is 

done as close as possible to the bottom-stage cyclone. The actual injection location where 

ammonia was injected at the SAC plant is shown in detail in Figures 8-7 and 8-8 (Figure 8-7 also 

shows one of the four injection ports). The injection nozzle is shown in Figure 8-9.38 

Figure 8-7. SNCR injection location – Suwannee American Cement, 

Branford, Florida. 
64 

Figure 8-8. Ammonia injection, Suwannee American Cement. 

The ammonia injection location was verified through previous testing in recent years by 

Polysius on kilns in Europe similar to the SAC PH/PC kiln. The location is in the later portion of 

the calciner prior to the Stage 1 (lowest) cyclone and just beyond the MSC deflection chamber. 

This location has been demonstrated as the best location for Polysius MSC and MSC-combustion 

chamber kilns. Temperatures at this location were verified prior to testing and ranged from 870–

910 °C (1,600–1,675 °F), with oxygen around 2%. This location provided optimal residence time 

at the needed temperature and oxidizing atmosphere, as well as the necessary turbulence for 

mixing the ammonia solution.39
65 

Figure 8-9. Suwannee American Cement ammonia injection nozzle. 

At the injection location, gas temperatures averaged 860 °C (1,580 °F), which is at the 

low end of the temperature range for SNCR. When temperatures are at the lower end of range, 

CO emissions are minimal. When temperatures are in the higher end of range, reactivity of NH2 

improves, but CO emissions after the injection are much higher. In addition, if ammonia is 

injected in too high temperature gases, NO molecules may form instead of N2.

38

Full-scale SNCR tests were conducted on the existing kiln. There was no problem 

reaching 2.0 lb/t of clinker (29–33% control efficiency) while operating at 3.0–3.5 lb/t of clinker 

at kiln exit. The SNCR, in conjunction with MSC and separately from MSC was also tested, and 

both worked fine. 

For two days prior to ammonia injection, normal NOx emissions while utilizing MSC in 

conjunction with LNB resulted in NOx emissions of 2.4–2.5 lb/t of clinker. SAC utilizes the 

MSC and the combustion chamber to create reducing conditions and frequently encounters 

process problems caused by this type of operation, such as strong reducing conditions and high 

CO at kiln inlet. Most typically, the problems consist of solids build-up in riser duct (lowest 

portion of the calciner prior to the entrance of the kiln). While establishing the baseline, SAC 

experienced some operational problems, as indicated by abrupt changes in clinker production, 

which signify process upsets or problems; however, overall operations were satisfactory.39

Based on testing, the following conclusions were reached:

 NOx emissions of 2.0 lb/t of clinker or below were achieved with SNCR with and 

without MSC. Increased process stability was realized during both testing periods, 
66 

which led to increased production. The plant achieved high ammonia-utilization rates 

that were close to stoichiometric reductions. 

 SNCR will promote stable kiln operation with the use of various approved fuels and 

will allow an increase in the production rate. When operating the kiln with higher exit 

oxygen levels, increased thermal NOx is generated in the kiln, and NOx stack 

emissions typically increase. The excess NOx generated in the kiln is reduced by the 

reaction with ammonia. Flue gases coming out of the kiln are higher in NOx (3–

3.5 lb/t) than coming out of the SNCR (2 lb/t).40

Since the November 2004 testing and the permanent installation of the SNCR system, the 

SAC plant is achieving 2.4 lb/t (30-day average) and 2.9 lb/t (24-hr average). In addition, SO2 

and VOC emissions are low due to low sulfur and organics in the raw materials. The plant has 

determined that the SNCR system and moderate MSC is the least-expensive way to achieve these 

reduced emission levels. The plant will not use the already installed MSC in the calciner because 

the SNCR system is so efficient and process-friendly for their installation. The SNCR system has 

increased the plant’s production capacity. The plant is meeting the 2.4 lb/t limit while injecting 

only half the theoretical amount of ammonia needed to neutralize NOx.

40, 41, 42

Ammonia slip during periods when the raw mill is offline presents the possibility of 

detached plume problems because the raw mill operates as a scrubbing device for SO2; therefore, 

offline periods could lead to both SO2 and ammonia emissions.7, 38 As previously stated, 

however, the raw materials contain very low amounts of sulfur; therefore, a detached plume is 

unlikely.43

SAC has recently submitted an application for a new kiln system, one very similar in 

design to the existing PH/PC kiln system.2, 8, 39, 40, 40 The new kiln will have a capacity of 215 t/hr 

of material feed to the preheater and 127 t/hr of clinker production. The annual dry preheater 

feed will be limited to 1.789 million tons during any consecutive 12-month period and 1.055 

million t/yr of clinker during any 12 consecutive months. Raw materials and additives for the 

new kiln are the same as the existing kiln system and include limestone, fly ash or other alumina 

sources, sand or other silica sources, and iron or other iron sources. Up to 45 t/hr of fly ash may 

be injected into the calciner. 

For NOx control, the SAC plant proposes to use indirect firing, low NOx burners, staged 

combustion, and SNCR. The project is subject to PSD preconstruction review for CO, NOx, 

PM/PM10, SO2, and VOC. A summary of the proposed BACT standards for this kiln is shown in 

Table 8-4. 
67 

Table 8-4. BACT Determinations – Suwannee American Cement, 

Branford, Florida, 11/05 8

Pollutant Emission Standards (lb/t) 

Emission 

Standards (lb/hr) Averaging Time 

CO 2.90 368 30-day rolling average – CEMS

NOx 1.95 248 Same as above 

NOx (initial startup) 3.0 381 Same as above 

PM/PM10 0.10 

(of dry preheater feed material) 

21.5 Average of 3 - 1hr test runs 

 10% opacity 6-minute average w/ COMS 

SO2 0.20 25.4 24-hr rolling CEMS average 

VOC 0.12 15.2 30-day block CEMS average 

8.6.2.9 Florida Rock Industries (FRI) – Newberry, Florida (SNCR Installed for 

Testing)

The FRI plant in Newberry, FL installed SNCR for testing purposes; however, SNCR is 

not being presently used because the kiln can achieve low NOx levels with MSC. This modern 

PH/PC kiln was designed by Polysius and is shown in Figure 7-4. The FRI plant has a permitted 

clinker production rate of 2,650 t/day (110 t/hr), and both the kiln and the calciner are fired with 

coal. The kiln uses air and fuel staging on a Polysius MSC ILC. The calcination burner is 

mounted horizontally rather than in a separate combustion chamber, and provisions are included 

for a small burner in the kiln inlet housing. Instead of using a burner at the kiln inlet, FRI burns 

tires. Full-scale SNCR tests were conducted on the SNCR system on this existing kiln. The kiln 

had no problem reaching 2.0 lb/t. The December 2004 testing is described in detail in the 

sections below.7

 Tables 8-5 and 8-6 summarize the emission test results. 

Table 8-5. Emission Test Results with Tires – Florida Rock Industries, 

Newberry, Florida, 12/04 7

Uncontrolled NOx 

(lb/t) 

Controlled NOx 

(lb/t) 

Molar Ratio 

(NH3/NOx) 

NOx Reduction 

(%) 

3.1 2.1 0.12 34 

2.9 1.8 0.19 39 

3.2 2.1 0.25 35 

3.3 1.5 0.51 54 

3.3 1.1 0.64 68 

3.2 2.0 0.34 39 
68 

Table 8-6. Emission Test Results without Tires – Florida Rock Industries, 

Newberry, Florida, 12/04 7

Uncontrolled NOx (lb/t) Controlled NOx (lb/t) Molar Ratio(NH3/NOx) NOx Reduction (%) 

4.5 4.2 0.09 7 

4.2 3.5 0.21 18 

3.7 2.6 0.35 29 

3.6 1.9 0.47 47 

3.6 0.9 0.80 76 

3.2 0.6 1.04 82 

At lower molar ratios (< 0.5), NOx efficiency was greater when tires were burned as fuel 

compared to the efficiencies when tires were not burned. At molar ratios of ~0.5, 50% control 

was achieved with or without burning tires. These data also show that NOx is reduced by 

approximately 0.8 lb-moles with the injection of 1.0 lb-mole of ammonia (ammonia utilization 

rate of 80%) without burning tires. 

FRI plans to install a new PH/PC kiln in a couple of years.44 The new kiln will be a 

Polysius MSC system and will use an SNCR system in conjunction with MSC. The issued 

permit information shows that the new kiln will have a capacity of 206 t/hr of material feed, dry 

basis, to the preheater; 125 t/hr of clinker production; and 138 t/hr of Portland cement 

production. 

The NOx emission limit will be 1.95 lb/t (243.8 lb/hr) on a 30-day rolling average. For 

the first 180 operating days, the kiln cannot exceed 2.4 lb/t (30-days rolling average). As the 

project was subject to PSD review and BACT determinations for NOx, PM, PM10, SO2, CO, and 

VOC, the other limits are the following: 

 PM - 0.23 lb/t 

 PM10- 0.20 lb/t 

 SO2 - 0.23 lb/t 

 CO - 3.6 lb/t 

 VOC - 0.12 lb/t 

 Hg - 122 lb/yr 

8.6.2.10 Rinker/Florida Crushed Stone, Brooksville, Florida (SNCR Proposed)45 

This facility is planning a new line that is expected to be completed by 2007. It will have 

a capacity of 206 t/hr of material feed, dry basis, to the preheater and 125 t/hr of clinker 

production. 

The NOx emission limit will be 1.95 lb/t (243.8 lb/hr) on a 30-day rolling average. The 

project was subject to PSD review and BACT determinations for NOx, PM, PM10, SO2, CO, and 

VOC. These limits are the following: 

 PM - 0.23 lb/t 

 PM10- 0.20 lb/t 
69 

 SO2 - 0.23 lb/t 

 CO - 3.6 lb/t 

 VOC - 0.12 lb/t 

 Hg - 122 lb/yr 

The proposed NOx control is an SNCR system with MSC. The SNCR will operate in 

conjunction with MSC (including reducing conditions at the calciner, as needed). 

8.6.2.11 Sumter Cement Company – New Center Hill, Florida (SNCR Planned)8

Sumter Cement is planning to construct a new PH/PC kiln system with a capacity of 

353 t/hr as feed to the preheater, resulting in 208 t/hr of clinker production. The expected 

operating hours are 7,883 hrs/yr. Raw materials and additives to the kiln will include limestone, 

fly ash, sand, and steel slag. Fly ash can be injected through the calciner burner. There will also 

be an in-line raw mill that simultaneously dries raw materials using the exhaust gas from the 

kiln, calciner, and clinker cooler. 

The calciner will be designed to accommodate the introduction of fly ash and nonhazardous waste through the calciner burner. The burner will contain a specific chamber or 

nozzle within the burner for the simultaneous introduction of coal, petroleum coke, fly ash, and 

non-hazardous wastes. Petroleum coke typically has a lower reactivity and requires the longest 

retention time in the calciner. 

Tires, either whole or shredded, may be used and injected via an airlock/gate system into 

the material inlet of the kiln. The tires produce a localized reduction zone around the tire fuel, 

which assists in NOx reduction. The proposed tire gasification system would produce a 

combustible gas that would be injected into the kiln inlet or calciner region. 

The primary fuel-firing scenario has 55–60% of total heat input in the calciner and 40–

45% in the kiln main burner. This ratio will remain fairly constant. When tires are used, they 

may account for up to 15% of the heat input to the calciner. When using tire gasification, up to 

40% of the calciner fuel may be supplied from tires. 

The primary fuel for kiln and calciner burners will be ground bituminous coal and 

petroleum coke. Burners will be designed to burn non-hazardous liquids (e.g., fuel oil), which 

could produce up to 50% of total heat input in each burner. Solid nonhazardous waste may be 

used in the calciner burner and produce up to 50% of the total heat input. 

To control NOx, the plant will use a form of MSC (i.e., reducing zone), LNBs in the kiln, 

and SNCR. The Florida DEP determined that 1.95 lb/t (30-day rolling average) is the BACT 

level for this project. 

8.6.2.12 American Cement Company – Sumterville, Florida (SNCR Planned)46

Proposed BACT determined by the Florida DEP for this planned PH/PC kiln system is 

1.95 lb/t (30-day rolling average). NOx controls will be SNCR, LNBs in the kiln, kiln design, and 

MSC. MSC will be used to function with either fuel staging or combustion air staging and will 
70 

have flexibility in meal splitting. Kiln design refers to the PH/PC kiln system. The plant is 

designed for a clinker production of 1,150,000 t/yr. 

Coal and petroleum coke will be burned in both the kiln and the calciner. The ratio of 

coal to petroleum coke burned will depend on process conditions, such as the material build-up, 

feed alkali content, and heating value of the fuel. Petroleum coke will not exceed 25–30% of 

petroleum coke/coal fuel mix. 

Field tests by Polysius, demonstrated that a 65–70% NOx reduction was achieved using a 

25% ammonia water solution at a molar ratio of 1. In comparison, a 68% urea solution achieved 

only a 35–40% reduction at the same molar ratio. At a higher molar ratio than 1, ammonia slip 

becomes a problem.47 

8.6.2.13 Dragon Products Company – Thomaston, Maine (Installing SNCR)48, 49, 50

NOx emissions from Dragon’s Thomaston, Maine facility were closely approaching their 

permit limit. To avoid exceeding their limit, the company decided to install an SNCR system on 

their dry kiln. The SNCR and kiln system are currently in a testing program and should be in 

operation in 2007. Pilot tests of the SNCR performed in November 2006 showed ammonia 

slippage of 10.3 ppm at 7% O2 (3.24 lb NH3/hr) with the raw mill on and 22.5 ppm at 7% O2

(6.9 lb NH3/hr) with the raw mill off. NOx CEM data was not available for the period when these 

tests were being conducted. A NOx limit of 1,533 tons/yr and an annual production rate of 

766,500 tons of clinker per year equates to an ouput-based limit of 4.0 lb NOx per ton of clinker. 

The part 70 air emission permit for Dragon is available at 

http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/licensing/ TitleVlicenses/a326ai.pdf. 

8.6.2.14 Cemex – New Braunfels, Texas (Installing SNCR)

A new kiln line will produce up to 3,600 t/day clinker. The company has agreed to install 

SNCR on both of their two kiln lines.26

8.6.3 SNCR – Foreign Experience – Europe, Japan, Taiwan

8.6.3.1 Europe

SNCR has been applied to more than 30 German kilns, including rotary kilns with a 

cyclone preheater and rotary kilns with a grate preheater, as well as kilns with SCC. In addition, 

SNCR is increasingly being applied at cement plants in other European countries. 

A stoichiometric ratio of > 1 is usually required to achieve high reduction rates. The 

target value is often a NOx concentration as low as 200 mg/m3

 (~1 lb/t). Ammonia slip may 

occur and can increase when there is not combined drying and grinding. Otherwise, a 

considerable amount of ammonia is deposited in the raw meal. Experience in numerous kilns 

indicates that this ammonia deposition is not detrimental to product quality. A 25% ammonia 

aqueous solution is still considered the standard reducing agent. In many cases, wastewater is 

used as a reducing agent. 
71 

The European experience with SNCR and cement kilns is more extensive than in the 

United States. Most European kilns with SNCR are the preheater kiln type, though there are a 

few PH/PC kilns. According to one source, SNCR is installed at 25 German kiln systems of 

different designs. Another reference states that there are presently 19 European cement plants 

with SNCR. Seventeen of these plants are preheater or traveling grate types. The two plants of 

PH/PC kiln type that use SNCR are located in Sweden.3, 51

New kilns in Europe have to comply with an emission limit of 500 mg/Nm3

 (2.3–

2.5 lb/t). For existing plants, the limit is 800 mg/Nm3

 (3.7–4.0 lb/t). Government agencies and 

cement industry organizations have collaborated in jointly funded studies to evaluate controls 

such as MSC, SNCR, and SCR.52

A European report indicated that SNCR on cement can achieve below 200 mg/m3

 (80–

85% control) if the initial NOx concentration is not higher than 1,000–1,300 mg/m3

. At one 

2000 mt/day (2,200 t/day) plant, a molar ratio of 1.0 produced reductions of 80% without any 

increase in ammonia. Most SNCR applications are designed and or operated at NOx reductions 

of 10–50%, with NH3/NO2 ratios of 0.5–0.9. The controlled emission levels are 500–800 mg 

NOx /m3

. NOx reductions up to 90% may be achieved at NSR of 0.7–0.8 and ammonia slip equal 

to 5 mg/m3

. Based on experience in Europe, an ammonia solution is the best reagent for PH/PC 

kilns.3, 51

The findings on SNCR use in Europe from one report are summarized as follows:53

 NOx abatement of 50–70% is achievable and is used in more than 60 cement works, 

some on a trial basis 

 Target values of 800 mg/m3 are readily attainable; in most cases 500 mg/m3 can be 

achieved. 

 Lower values—200 mg/m3 have already been achieved—often with high ammonia 

slip 

 Specific costs (capital and operating) for SNCR– 0.5–0.7 euro/t. 

 Best Available Technologies (BAT) reference document designates an achievable 

NOx emission limit of 200–500 mg/m3

. 

 200 mg/m3 was achieved with SNCR on one PH/PC kiln with little ammonia slip. A 

wet scrubber lowers SO2 emissions and retains unreacted ammonia. 

 Before SNCR – NOx levels of 1,000 mg/m3 lower than a few yrs ago. SNCR control 

target – 400–500 mg/m3

. 

 NOx level of 800 can be achieved even with high starting level. Molar ratio often < 1 

with low ammonia slip. 

 500mg/m3 can be achieved in almost all cases. Molar ratio > 1; slight increase in 

ammonia slip. 

 200 mg/m3 can be achieved with low starting point. Molar ratio > 2 – high ammonia 

slip. 

 Possible increase in CO emissions with SNCR. 

 SNCR with SCC – an emerging technology. Promising technology to achieve 100–

200 mg/m3

.
72 

8.6.3.2 Japan/Taiwan1

There are 10 cement plants in Japan and 1 in Taiwan that use SNCR. Detailed 

information was available on an existing Taiwan plant using urea with two coal-fired kilns each 

at 90 mt/hr (99 t/hr). The goal was to reduce NOx below 500 ppm. A summary of the results is 

shown on Table 8-7. 

Table 8-7. SNCR at a Taiwan Cement Plant 

 Kiln A Kiln B 

NOx baseline; ppm 389–412 525 

Annual NOx reduction (%) > 50 46 

Controlled NOx ; ppm 185–203 284 

8.7 SUMMARY OF SNCR PERFORMANCE 

It is possible to reduce NOx emissions from a controlled (SCC) baseline with further 

control by SNCR. Under certain conditions, such as less aggressive versions of SCC (higher 

controlled baseline), raw material NH3 or sulfur, or high petcoke use, further adjustments to 

SNCR can be employed. These adjustments can include measures such as multi-level reagent 

injection and fine hydrated lime mist injection in the conditioning tower. With NOx emission 

levels of 2.5 lb/t achievable with SCC (see Section 7.3), the addition of SNCR has the potential 

to significantly lower emissions at an NSR of 0.5.25

Table 8-8 summarizes the performance of PH/PC cement kilns (except the Cemex plant, 

which has a preheater kiln, and the kilns cited in the European reports, which are mostly 

preheater or traveling grate kilns) that have installed SNCR systems. Most SNCR systems use 

an ammonia solution. It appears that an emission level of 1.9–4.0 lb/t of clinker is achieved with 

an NSR of about 0.5. At a higher NSR ratio of about 1.0, NOx could be reduced to around 1.0–

2.5 lb/t of clinker. Uncontrolled NOx (after SCC, LNB in the kiln and process controls) is 2.5 lb/t 

of clinker (see Table 7-3). On average, SNCR achieves approximately a 35% reduction at an 

NSR of 0.5 and a 63% reduction at an NSR of 1.0. Ammonia slip may be a problem as the NSR 

is increased. 

New NOx limits now apply to European kilns that burn alternative fuels. The limits are 

applied on a sliding scale from 200 to 500 mg/m3 (~0.9–2.3 lb/t) on a 24-hr basis based on 

burning 100% to 60% alternative fuels. The expected update of the European Report in 2007 will 

likely show better performance than shown in Table 8-8;25 however, there are differences 

between cement production in Europe and the United States that complicate direct comparison of 

European and U.S. standards. For example, most existing European cement plants burn some tye 

of alternative fuels, either hazardous or non-hazardous wastes. Many of these fuels result in 

lower NOx emissions. The use of alternative fuels in the United States is limited by permitting 

requirements and public opposition, as well as the availability of adequate and consistent 

supplies.34 It should be noted that converting emission concentrations (mg/Nm3

) to emission 

rates per lb/t clinker can produce different values for different kilns due to difference in gas 

flows per lb/t of clinker produced.34 Differences in averaging times and enforcement policies can 
73 

also make comparison of European and U.S. standards difficult.34 According to PCA, kilns 

located in Germany will be required to meet a 500 mg/Nm3

 limit, but there is ongoing debate 

about whether lower limits will be implemented in the future.34

Table 8-8. SNCR Summary 

Plant/Source Control Level (lb/t) Efficiency (%) NSR 

3 European kilns9 NA 25–50; 35–60; 42–72 0.6; 0.8; 1.0 

Ash Grove, Seattle13 2.2; 1.3 25; 55 0.5; 1.0 

Hercules; PA19 300 ppm ~3.0 12–25 NA 

Suwannee American38 2.0 33–50 NA 

Florida Rock7 without tires 1.9; 2.6 47; 29 0.47; 0.35 

Florida Rock7 with tires 2.1 34 0.12–0.25 

Holcim – Texas54 (2 kilns) NA 47, 32 0.7 

Skovde, Sweden3, 51 0.5–1.0 80–85 1.0–1.1 

Slite, Sweden3, 51 1.1 80 1.0 

Taiwan-2 kilns1 194 ppm; 284 ppm ~2.0; 2.9 50; 46 NA 

Cemex; FL-preheater kiln24 2.0 50 0.6–0.7 

European Report52 -achievable 1.0 80–85 NA 

European Report52 - actual operation 2.5–4.0 10–50 0.5–0.9 

8.8 REFERENCES 

1. Environment Canada. Foundation Report of the Cement Manufacturing Sector. Draft #1. 

Prepared by Minerals and Metals Brand, Pollution Prevention Directorate. June 18, 2004. 

2. Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Technical Evaluation and Preliminary 

Determination – Suwannee American Cement, Branford, FL. Permit Modification to 

Increase Production, Inject Fly Ash into Calciner, Install a Selective Non-Catalytic 

Reduction System. DEP File No. 1210465-011-AC. Division of Air Resources 

Management. February 16, 2005. 

3. VDZ (German Cement Works Association). Environmental protection in cement 

manufacture. Chapter II in VDZ Activity Report 2003 –2005. Figure II-15, p. 55. 2005. 

4. E-mail transmission from A. Linero, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, to 

B. Neuffer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. SNCR at Hercules Cement – 

Stockertown, PA. January 30, 2005. 

5. Mussatti, D.C., R. Srivastava, P.M. Hemmer, and R. Strait. “Figure 1.3: Effect of 

Temperature on NOx Reduction” from Chapter 1 – Selective Noncatalytic Reduction. In 

EPA Control Manual, Section 4 – NOx Controls, Section 4.2 – NOx Post-Combustion. 

EPA/452/B-02-001. Prepared for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. October 2000. 

Available at www.epa.gov/ttn/catc/dir1/cs4-2ch1.pdf. 
74 

6. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. NOx Control Technologies for the Cement 

Industry. Prepared by EC/R Incorporated. September 19, 2000. Available at 

www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/ozone/ozonetech/cement_nox_update_09152000.pdf. 

7. Linero, A. SNCR NOx at US Cement Plants. Is SCR Close Behind? Paper #638 presented 

at the AWMA Annual Conference. June 2005. 

8. Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Technical Evaluation & Preliminary 

Determination. Suwannee American Cement. Proposed Kiln Line No. 2, Branford, FL. 

November 8, 2005. 

9. Schafer, S. Staged Combustion and SNCR Technology – an Emerging Technique?

Research Institute of the Cement Industry (Duesseldorf). Seminar S04-05. Bernburg. 

European Cement Research Academy. November 3–4, 2004. 

10. Mussatti, D.C., R. Srivastava, P.M. Hemmer, and R. Strait. “Section 1.2.3 SNCR 

Performance Parameters” from Chapter 1 – Selective Noncatalytic Reduction. In EPA 

Control Manual, Section 4 – NOx Controls, Section 4.2 – NOx Post-Combustion. 

EPA/452/B-02-001. Prepared for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. October 2000. 

Available at www.epa.gov/ttn/catc/dir1/cs4-2ch1.pdf. 

11. Hower, J. Cement Kiln Application of Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction – Myth or 

Reality? Presented at IEEE Florida Meeting, May 2002 

12. Mussatti, D.C., R. Srivastava, P.M. Hemmer, and R. Strait. “Figure 1.5: Effect of 

Uncontrolled NOx Level on NOx Reduction Efficiency” from Chapter 1 – Selective 

Noncatalytic Reduction. In EPA Control Manual, Section 4 – NOx Controls, Section 4.2 – 

NOx Post-Combustion. EPA/452/B-02-001. Prepared for U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency. October 2000. Available at www.epa.gov/ttn/catc/dir1/cs4-2ch1.pdf. 

13. Steuch, H.E., J. Hille, W.H. Sun, M.J. Bisnett, and D.W. Kirk. “Reduction of NOx

Emissions from a Dry Process Preheater Kiln with Calciner Through the Use of the Urea 

Based SNCR Process.” IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, Vol. 32, Issue 4, 

July/August 1996. Pp. 753–759. 

14. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Alternative Control Techniques Document – NOx

Emissions from Cement Manufacturing. EPA-453/R-94-004. March 1994. Available at 

www.epa.gov/ttn/cata/dir1/cement.pdf. 

15. Letter from H. Knopfel, Process and Environmental Manager, Lafarge Cement, 

Davenport, IA, to C.A. Roling, Environmental Engineer, Iowa Department of Natural 

Resources. Project #96-494 (SNCR Technology). May 14, 1998. 

16. Lehigh Portland Cement Company. Selective Non-Catalytic NOx Reduction 

Demonstration (SNCR). Mason City, Iowa, Plant. December 22, 2000. 

17. Lanier, W.S. Public Comment to Proposed PSD Permit for Lafarge Davenport Cement 

Manufacturing Facility. Energy and Environmental Research Corporation. Undated 
75 

18. Williams, K.E. Hercules Cement Company & the Use of Ammonium Hydroxide Solution 

to lower NOx Emissions at its Stockertown, PA Plant. Presented at the AWMA Annual 

Meeting, San Diego, CA. June 22–26, 2003. 

19. E-mail transmission from W. Nuver, Air Quality Program, Pennsylvania Department of 

Environmental Protection, to B. Neuffer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

Hercules Cement SNCR. March 9, 2005. 

20. E-mail transmission from A. Linero, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, to 

B. Neuffer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. SNCR at Hercules Cement – 

Stockertown, PA. January 30, 2005. 

21. E-mail transmission from D. Thorley, Michigan Department of Environmental 

Protection, to B. Neuffer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. SNCR system at St 

Mary’s Cement – Charlevoix, Michigan. June 2, 2005. 

22. E-mail transmission from D. Thorley, Michigan Department of Environmental 

Protection, to B. Neuffer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Charlevoix 2005 NOx

numbers MDEQ.xls. October 25, 2005. 

23. Teleconference. C. Dennison, St Mary’s Cement, with B. Neuffer, U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency. SNCR Test Trails – St Marys Cement. October 25, 2005. 

24. E-mail transmission from A. Linero, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, to 

B. Neuffer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. SNCR on Preheater Kiln. 

October 26, 2005. 

25. Letter from A. Linero, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, to B. Neuffer, 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Comments on Draft Alternative Control 

Techniques Document Update – NOx Emissions from New Cement Kilns (June 2006). 

July 18, 2007. 

26. E-mail transmission from I. Uphoff, Downwinders at Risk, Dallas, TX, to B. Neuffer, 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Summary of 11/30/05 call. December 1, 2005. 

27. E-mail transmission from I. Uphoff, Downwinders at Risk, Dallas, TX, to B. Neuffer, 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Holcim – Midlothian. December 7, 2005. 

28. E-mail transmission from I. Uphoff, Downwinders at Risk, Dallas, TX, to B. Neuffer, 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Holcim – Midlothian. December 8, 2005. 

29. Letter from M. Moser, Plant Manager, Holcim, Midlothian, TX, to R. Hamilton, Texas 

Commission on Environmental Quality. Holcim (Texas) LP – Submittal of Selective NonCatalytic Reduction (SNCR) Pilot Test Summary Report. November 29, 2005. 

30. Letter from A. Armendariz to M. Moser, Plant Manager, Holcim, Midlothian, TX. 

December 28, 2005. 
76 

31. Teleconference. M. Moser, Holcim, with B. Neuffer, U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency. May 31, 2006. 

32. Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Project Review of Application for Permit to 

Construct According to 10 CSR 10-6.060 Section (8). Holcim US – Lee Island Project, 

Bloomsdale, MO. Undated. 

33. Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Permit to Construct, Permit Number 

062004-005. Holcim – Lee Island Project, Bloomsdale, MO. June 8, 2004. 

34. E-mail transmission from T. Carter, Portland Cement Association, to B. Neuffer, U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency. PCA Comments on the Comments submitted by Mr. A. 

A. Linero on July 18, 2007, on the Draft Alternative Control Techniques document 

Update – NOx Emissions from New Cement Kilns. Draft dated June 2007. September 6, 

2007. 

35. E-mail transmission from C. Roling; Iowa Department of Natural Resources, to 

B. Neuffer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Summary of telecom on Lehigh PC – 

Mason City, IA. January 26, 2005. 

36. Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Class I Prevention of Significant 

Deterioration Operating Permit Application – ADEQ Permit No. 1001770. Drake 

Cement, L.L.C., Phoenix, AZ. January 4, 2005. 

37. Letter from R.R. Patron, Drake Cement, Phoenix, AZ, to E. Massey; Air Quality Permits 

Section, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Air Quality Permit Application 

No. 1001770 – Five Technical Issues. February 25, 2005. 

38. Polysius Corporation. Selective Non Catalytic Reduction Test Report. Suwannee 

American Cement, Branford, FL. November 2004. 

39. Letter from J. Horton, Suwannee American Cement, to T. Vielhauer, Florida Department 

of Environmental Protection. Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction (SNCR) Test Report. 

February 10, 2005. 

40. E-mail transmission from A. Linero, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, to 

B. Neuffer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. SNCR Start ups in Suwannee. 

March 23, 2005. 

41. E-mail transmission from A. Linero, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, to 

B. Neuffer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. More cement news from Florida. 

May 23, 2005. 

42. Letter from M.G. Cooke, Director, Division of Air Resource Management, Florida 

Department of Environmental Protection, to T. Messer, Plant Manager, Suwannee 

American Cement, Branford, FL. Production Increase, Fly Ash Injection, SNCR. 

March 7, 2005. 
77 

43. E-mail transmission from T. Carter, Portland Cement Association, to B. Neuffer, U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency. PCA Comments on the Alternative Control 

Techniques Document Update – NOx Emissions from New Cement Kilns Draft dated 

June 2007. August 20, 2007. 

44. E-mail transmission from A. Linero, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, to 

B. Neuffer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Latest Cement News. Available at 

www.dep.state.fl.us/Air/permitting/construction/flrock.htm. March 30, 2005. 

45. Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Best Available Control Technology 

Determination (BACT) – Florida Crushed Stone, Brooksville, FL. Available at 

www.dep.state.fl.us/Air/permitting/construction.htm. Accessed March 6, 2007. 

46. Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Technical Evaluation, Preliminary 

Determination, Draft BACT Determinations – American Cement Company, Sumterville, 

FL. December 16, 2005. Available at www.dep.state.fl.us/Air/permitting/construction/ 

americanTEPD361.pdf. 

47. Terry, M.S. From BACT: What is Achievable with Today’s Technologies? Polysius 

Corporation. Undated 

48. E-mail transmission from M. Roberts, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, to 

B. Neuffer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Dragon Cement – Thomaston, ME.

March 9, 2007. 

49. E-mail transmission from M. Roberts, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, to 

B. Neuffer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Dragon Cement – Thomaston, ME.

March 13, 2007. 

50. E-mail transmission from B. Neuffer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to M. 

Roberts, Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Dragon Cement – Thomaston,

ME. March 9, 2007. 

51. VDZ (German Cement Works Association). Environmental protection in cement 

manufacture. Chapter II in VDZ Activity Report 2003 –2005. Figure II-15, p. 55. 2005. 

52. Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. Reduction of nitrogen oxides with SNCR 

technology at Slite cement plant. Per Junker, Director of Environment Protection. Session 

16 Cement Industry. 

53. Scur, P., and H. Hoppe. The present state of NOx abatement with the SNCR process. 

Cement International. February 2006. 

54. Holcim. SNCR Pilot Test Report. Midlothian Plant. November 2005. 
78 

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79 

9.0 MULTISTAGE COMBUSTION (MSC) AND SELECTIVE NONCATALYTIC 

REDUCTION (SNCR) 

Most if not all new PH/PC kiln systems will have some form of MSC. This section 

summarizes studies on the effect of the combination of MSC and SNCR. In an MSC calciner, 

part of the calciner fuel is introduced at the kiln inlet to reduce the NO generated in the kiln. The 

adjustable division of the tertiary air allows part of the calciner to be operated under substoichiometric conditions. This leads to the reduction of NO formation from the fuel nitrogen 

and, depending on the type of calciner fuel used, the reduction of more of the NO produced in 

the kiln. 

One European report1

 states that considerable CO is formed in staged combustion, but 

that most of the CO is burned out in the area of the mixing chamber and the bottom cyclone 

stage. Operation of an SNCR system substantially impairs CO burn-out. During SNCR trials, CO 

rose from 0.02 to 0.05%.2

Causes for the interaction between the SNCR and CO burn-out rate have not been 

identified. SNCR and CO decomposition both require OH radicals. It may be preferable to create 

separate reaction zones for SNCR and MSC. If SNCR is installed in an existing calciner kiln, this 

can be implemented by injecting the reducing agent at a point where co-burning has progressed 

sufficiently. The design of new calciners should allow for sufficient gas residence time to allow 

CO burnout and SNCR reactions to take place consecutively. 

A European study was undertaken to study the combination of SNCR and staged 

combustion as an “emerging technique.” It was assumed that this combination could attain NOx

emissions of 100–200 mg/m3

.

2

The report states that there are competitive reactions of MSC and SNCR. These reactions 

are listed below. 

NOx reduction

NH3 + OH Æ NH2 + H2O 

NH2 + NO Æ N2 + H2O 

CO oxidation

CO + OH Æ CO2 + H 

Four different kilns were tested to evaluate the effects of SNCR on PH/PC kilns with 

staged combustion; the results of these tests are summarized below. As shown in Table 9-1, NOx

reductions attributable to only SNCR varied from 45–65%. CO emissions increased when the 

NSR was at least 1.2, and the NOx reduction due to SNCR was at least 50%. 
80 

Table 9-1. Effect of SNCR on Emissions with Staged Combustion2

Kiln B B D M X X 

NSR 0.6 0.9 1.2 1.5 2.5 2.7 

NOx reduction due to 

SNCR (percent) 

47 45 50 65 65 65 

CO increase (ng/ m3) 0 0 125 375 290 950 

Figure 9-1 illustrates the effects on NO levels resulting from the injection of ammonia in 

the burnout zone. As NSR increases (more NH3 injected), the level of NOx emitted decreases. 

These effects are also summarized in Table 9-2. 

Injection of reducing agent in burnout zone

Influence of NH3/NOx molar ratio

0

1

2

3

4

0

meal from

preheater

fuel 

fuel

(kiln inlet)

tertiary air

0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5

without SNCR

ReduktionsmittelZugabe

input of reducing agent 

in burnout zone

NO massflow in kg NO/t clinker

Gas residence time in s

symbol

0

0.5

1.1

1.4

2.2

NH3/NO molar ratio

lowest

cyclone

stage

after 

mixing 

chamber

Figure 9-1. NH3 injection – burnout zone.2

Table 9-2. Impact of Injecting Ammonia in Burnout Zone2

NSR NO After Mixing Chamber NO in Lowest Cyclone Stage NO 

 kg/mt lb/t kg/mt lb/t 

0 1.8 3.6 1.8 3.6 

0.5 1.6 3.2 1.6 3.2 

1.1 1.3 2.6 1.3 2.6 

1.4 1.1 2.2 1.1 2.2 

2.2 0.4 0.8 0.3 0.6 
81 

The impacts of injecting ammonia in the reducing zone are illustrated in Figure 9-2 and 

summarized in Table 9-3. These show that the level of NOx emissions consistently decreases 

with increasing NSR. 

Injection of reducing agent in reducing zone

Influence of NH3/NOx molar ratio

0

1

2

3

4

0

meal from

preheater

fuel

fuel 

(kiln inlet)

tertiary air 

1.0 2.0 3.0

without SNCR

input of reducing agent

in reducing zone

NO massflow in kg NO/t clinker

Gas residence time in s

symbol

0

0.7

1.4

2.0

2.7

NH3/NO molar ratio lowest

cyclone

stage

after 

mixing 

chamber

Figure 9-2. NH3 injection – reducing zone.2

Table 9-3. Impact of Injecting Ammonia in Reducing Zone2

NSR NO After Mixing Chamber NO in Lowest Cyclone Stage 

 kg/mt lb/t kg/mt lb/t 

0 1.8 3.6 1.7 3.4 

0.7 1.6 3.2 1.6 3.2 

1.4 1.2 2.4 1.5 3.0 

2.0 0.8 1.6 0.8 1.6 

2.7 0.6 1.2 0.7 1.4 

The following conclusions regarding the combination MSC and SNCR have been 

reported: 2

 MSC combined with SNCR is feasible 

 CO burnout and SNCR processes affect each other 

 CO can increase 

 The optimum point for feeding the reducing agent should be determined for each 

plant. 
82 

The same report2 had the following conclusions on the interaction of SC with SNCR: 

 The higher the ammonia input into the combustion chamber, the more retarded the 

CO burnout 

 CO can increase if the residence time is too short after injection 

 The calciner design must provide 1–1.5 seconds residence time for SNCR 

 The input of the reducing agent can be limited by the potential for CO increase. CO 

increase can be avoided by increasing the air ratio in the reduction zone (less air 

staging). 

The report stated that the solution to increased CO levels is to improve burnout by 

increasing the air ratio in the reduction zone (less air staging). 

According to the Florida DEP, a cement kiln in Florida would operate very comfortably 

at around 3.6 to 4 lb/t of clinker in a PH/PC kiln with oxidizing conditions in the calciner.3

Efforts toward MSC and a high-temperature reducing atmosphere will result in costs due to 

increased coatings, pluggage, and the increased sizes of precalciner and preheater. An emission 

rate between 1 and 4 lb/t of clinker is BACT for the given kiln. There will be a least-cost 

combination of SCC and SNCR or just one or the other. According to the Florida DEP, BACT 

will be much closer to the lower end of the range of emissions.3

Krupps-Polysius conducted trials indicating that the combination of MSC with SNCR can 

achieve values of 800 mg for existing kilns and 500 mg/Nm3

 for new kilns.4 The MSC calciner is 

characterized by kiln inlet burner, staggered tertiary air introduction, staggered meal 

introduction, and a deflection chamber located before the first cyclone. Best results for NOx

reduction were obtained by injecting an ammonia solution before and after the deflection 

chamber. The smallest plants show the best reduction rates. This is attributable to the difficulty 

of mixing a small amount of liquid into a large gas volume. A reduction occurs only above a 

molar ratio of 0.2; below this, it cannot be ruled out that part of the ammonia oxidizes and 

reduces the reduction effect to such an extent that it is practically zero. 

A CO increase is also linked to the molar ratio. With molar ratios of less than 1, CO 

increases range between 150–350 mg/m3

. Above molar ratios of 1, CO increases can reach 600–

800 mg/m3

, depending on the magnitude of the molar ratio. This CO increase is not a 

characteristic of the combined MSC/SNCR process, but is instead due to the SNCR process 

itself. 

The use of MSC/SNCR controls becomes economically attractive at total reduction rates 

above 35–45%. MSC leads to a reduction in ammonia requirements for SNCR. SNCR allows 

kiln operation without direct coupling to emission limits, leaving the kiln operator more freedom 

of action. 

9.1 REFERENCES 

1. VDZ (German Cement Works Association). Environmental protection in cement 

manufacture. Chapter II in VDZ Activity Report 2003–2005. Figure II-15, p. 55. 2005. 
83 

2. Schafer, S. Staged Combustion and SNCR Technology – an Emerging Technique?

Research Institute of the Cement Industry (Duesseldorf). Seminar S04-05. Bernburg. 

European Cement Research Academy. November 3–4, 2004. 

3. E-mail transmission from A. Linero, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, to 

B. Neuffer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. RE: Cement Kilns – SNCR. 

January 6, 2005. 

4. Erpelding, R. NOx Reduction with the MSC/SNCR combination: Chances and Risks. 

Krupp Polysius AG. Undated. 
84 

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85 

10.0 SELECTIVE CATALYTIC REDUCTION (SCR) 

On a worldwide basis, three cement kilns have used SCR: Solnhofen Zementwerkes in 

Germany and Cementeria di Monselice and Italcementi Sarche di Calavino in Italy. The SCR 

system was operated at the Solnhofen plant from 2001 to January 2006, at which time the plant 

began using SNCR to compare the operational costs of the two systems to evaluate which 

technology is better and more economical. As of this date, it is not clear if the plant will go back 

to SCR. Both Solnhofen and Cementeria di Monselice have preheater kilns. The Italcementi 

plant operates a small Polysius Lepol technology kiln. These plants will be discussed in detail 

later in this section. 

10.1 PROCESS DESCRIPTION 

SCR is the process of using ammonia or urea in the presence of a catalyst to selectively 

reduce NOx emissions from exhaust gases. The SCR process has been used extensively on gas 

turbines, internal combustion (IC) engines, and fossil fuel-fired utility boilers. In the SCR 

system, anhydrous ammonia, usually diluted with air or steam or aqueous ammonia solution, is 

injected through a catalyst bed to reduce NOx emissions. A number of catalyst materials have 

been used, such as titanium dioxide, vanadium pentoxide, and zeolite-based materials. The 

catalyst is typically supported on ceramic materials (e.g., alumina in a honeycomb monolith 

form) and promotes the NOx reduction reactions by providing a site for these reactions to occur. 

The catalyst is not consumed in the process but allows the reactions to occur at a lower 

temperature. 

The optimum temperature for the catalyst reactions depends on the specific catalyst used. 

Several different catalysts are available for use at different exhaust gas temperatures. Base metal 

catalysts are useful between 450 °F and 800 °F (232 °C and 427 °C). For high temperature 

operations (675 °F [357 °C] to over 1100 °F [593 °C]), zeolite catalysts containing precious 

metals such as platinum and palladium are useful. The two principal reactions in the SCR 

process at cement plants using SCR are the following: 

 4 NH3+ 4 NO + O2 Æ 4 N2 + 6 H2O (predominant reaction as most NOx is NO) 

 4 NH3 + 2 NO2 + O2 Æ 3 N2 + 6 H2O 

It is important to note that the desired chemical reactions are identical with SNCR and 

SCR. The only difference is that with SCR, a catalyst is present, which allows the reactions to 

occur at a lower temperature.1

In an SCR system, ammonia is typically injected to produce a NH3: NOx molar ratio of 

1.05–1.1:1 to achieve a NOx conversion of 80–90% with an ammonia slip of about 10 ppm of 

unreacted ammonia in gases leaving the reactor.2

 The NOx removal efficiency depends on the 

flue gas temperature, the molar ratio of ammonia to NOx, and the flue gas residence time in the 

catalyst bed. All these factors must be considered in designing the desired NOx reduction, the 

appropriate reagent ratios, the catalyst bed volume, and the operating conditions. As with SNCR, 

the appropriate temperature window must be maintained to assure that ammonia slip does not 

result in a visible plume.2, 3
86 

SCR can be installed at a cement kiln at two possible locations: 

 After the PM control device – a “low-dust” system. 

 After the last cyclone without ducting – a “high-dust” system. 

The advantages of a “low-dust” system are longer catalyst life and lower danger of 

blockage. The disadvantage is the additional energy costs required to heat the cooled exhaust to 

achieve proper reaction temperatures in the catalyst. 

The advantage of a high-dust system is that the exhaust gas temperature after the cyclone 

is more or less equal to the temperature required by the catalyst. Additional heating is not 

required.3

 The two European cement kilns controlled by SCR are high-dust applications. 

The catalysts may be fouled or deactivated by the PM in the flue gas, and soot blowers 

have been used to help alleviate this problem. Also, the presence of alkalis and CaO and SO2 in 

exhaust gas is of concern. For coal-fired boilers, SCR is typically installed after PM control. In a 

cement kiln application where the SCR is placed after the PM control, flue gas reheating would 

be required because the temperature of the kiln exhaust after PM control is lower than typical 

SCR operating temperatures. 

10.2 EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR SCR4

The main component of SCR is the catalyst. The SCR catalyst composition and shape 

will vary depending on the application. Commonly, a carrier titanium oxide and active vanadium 

oxide components are supported on a ceramic substrate. Each catalyst module may be in a 

honeycomb or plate configuration and is typically arranged in a series of layers called beds. A 

support structure is required to house the catalyst beds and hold them in place. The enclosed 

chamber where the gases and ammonia react on the catalyst is called the SCR reactor. 

Dust loading can lower the overall effectiveness of the catalyst. In a high-dust 

environment, the catalyst may actually become plugged. As a catalyst becomes plugged, the 

pressure drop across the catalyst increases; therefore, a catalyst-cleaning system must accompany 

the catalyst. Cleaning systems may include equipment such as dampers to reverse the gas flow, 

or additional devices such as sonic horns to vibrate dust loose. These systems may also use 

pressurized air nozzles or blowers to blow the dust from the catalyst. Pressurized air used to 

clean the catalyst must be preheated to maintain the temperature around the catalyst in the range 

that is optimal for the ammonia-NOx reaction to take place, approximately 300–450 °C (570–

840 °F) and to avoid localized acid gas dew point problems. 

These cleaning techniques can be used while the SCR system operates. It is sometimes 

necessary to periodically remove each individual catalyst bed for more thorough cleaning using 

water or other solvent solutions. The system may include hoists, trolleys, or a crane to remove 

the catalyst beds. The wastewater and solids generated during this cleaning process must be 

properly managed and disposed. 

As exhaust gases move past or through the catalyst, there will be an additional pressure 

drop. To move the gases, existing air-handling equipment, such as fans and blowers, may need to 

be scaled up. Eventually, a catalyst will reach the end of its useful life and need to be replaced 
87 

with new catalyst elements. If not physically damaged, a catalyst can often be regenerated and 

used again. Figure 10-1 shows the tower structure that holds the catalyst, SCR reactor, and gas –

moving and connection ductwork at the Solnhofen plant. As shown here, the SCR reactor and the 

associated ductwork is substantial in both size and required foundations for support. 

Figure 10-1. SCR system adjacent to preheater tower at Solnhofen 

Portland cement plant.5

As with SNCR, SCR requires onsite vessels and a truck-unloading stand to receive and 

store ammonia or urea. Ammonia and urea may be received as a liquid solution or may be mixed 

onsite with water to the desired solution concentration. If mixed on site, additional water storage, 

purification, pumping, and mixing equipment is required. 

The ammonia solution is pumped through metal pipes and delivered into the reaction 

chamber through a reaction lance. This will require a pump, pump skid, and ammonia control 

unit. The exact location and number of injection points will differ from one system to the next 

and is optimized through testing. Measurement equipment is necessary to maintain the correct 

feed rate of ammonia. Additional monitoring equipment is required to record the amount of NOx

and ammonia slip from the gases exiting the system to adjust the amount of ammonia entering 

the system. 

Temperature and pressure readings from inside the SCR reactor are required for proper 

system adjustment and control. Finally, a bypass duct system is required in case the pressure 

drop through the SCR becomes too large, the temperatures become too high or too low for 

proper catalyst performance, or the SCR reactor needs to be taken offline for catalyst change-out. 

10.3 EARLY PILOT TESTS 

10.3.1 USA

In 1976, Hitachi Zosen, an SCR manufacturer, conducted three test programs on two 

suspension preheater kilns and a wet process kiln.6

 Each kiln was tested for 5,400 hours. ESPs 
88 

were used to remove PM before the flue gas entered the SCR unit. Also, a heat-recovery system 

with supplemental fuel firing was used to raise the flue gas temperature to the required reaction 

temperature. Slipstreams of about 3,000 standard cubic feet per minute (scfm) were treated with 

initial NOx removal efficiencies of 98%; however after about 5,400 hours of operation, NOx

removal efficiencies dropped to about 75% due to catalyst coating.6

 Based on these tests, the 

ACT stated that SCR is a possible technology for cement kilns. The NOx reductions were 

projected to be 80–90% regardless of kiln type.6

 Further developmental studies are needed to 

demonstrate the specific NOx reduction.6

 

10.3.2 Europe

ELEX is a Swiss engineering firm that has tested SCR at three different pilot units at 

three different cement plants for a total of 30,000 operating hours.7

 The first pilot test was in 

Italy in 1996; however, information about this unit is not readily available. The second pilot test 

was conducted in Kirchdorf, Austria, using a slipstream of 3,500 m3

/hr. The pilot plant was 

operated starting in 1996 for about 13,000 hours or about 2 years. NOx was reduced continuously 

to 200 mg/Nm3

 (one-half hour average). Ammonia slip was under 5 mg/Nm3. 

Liquid ammonia was the reagent used, and the SCR unit had three catalyst layers. The 

catalyst was placed ahead of the PM control. The gas temperature was between 300–400 °C 

(570–750 °F) with a dust load of 80 g/m3

. SO2 concentrations were typically between 150–

300 mg/Nm3

. 

Some inlet concentrations of 640 mg/Nm3

 (~ 2.6 lb/t) were reduced to 100 mg/Nm3 

(~0.4 lb/t) and below. Ammonia slip was considerably below 5 mg/Nm3. After 2,200 operating 

hours, the catalyst activity was 92%. The pilot was operated for 13,000 hours with low NOx

emissions, low ammonia slip, and no unexpected drop in catalyst activity. 

The third pilot test was at Slite Cement in Sweden. Although the test was successful, the 

plant was able to achieve low NOx emissions using SNCR, so a full-scale SCR system was not 

constructed. 

10.4 SCR INSTALLATIONS 

10.4.1 Solnhofen – Germany 3, 4, 8, 9, 11

As mentioned above, there are three known cement kilns in the world that have used 

SCR. The first plant that installed SCR is Solnhofer Zementwerkes in Solnhofen, Germany. The 

Solnhofen cement kiln is a preheater kiln, not a PH/PC kiln system. As discussed earlier, 

uncontrolled NOx emissions for preheater kilns are higher than PH/PC kilns. The Solnhofen plant 

produces 500,000 mt/yr (555,000 t/yr) of cement. 

A pilot-scale demonstration was conducted in 1997–99 at Solnhofen. The SCR system 

was installed after the preheater in temperature between 300–340 °C (570–640 °F). The pilot 

demonstration showed the following: 

 Catalyst pitch should be greater than 8 mm for easier cleaning 
89 

 NOx was reduced by 30% with no ammonia usage other than the ammonia in the raw 

materials 

 NOx reduction rates above 90% were achieved with ammonia slip less than 5 ppm. 

A commercial SCR was installed at Solnhofen in 2000 (see Figure 10-1). The SCR 

installation was a high-dust installation (i.e., the SCR reactor is located before the PM control 

device) and uses a 25% aqueous ammonia solution. The system reduced raw material NH3 that 

might have otherwise been converted to raw material NOx. Also, ammonia slip was less than 

1 mg/m3

. Reductions of hydrocarbons and SO2 in the order of 50–70% were also attained. 

The reactor can be equipped with six catalyst layers, of which three layers are used. 

Using these three layers, 200 mg/Nm3

 (~ 0.8 lb/t) of NOx is achieved from an inlet of 

1,050 mg/Nm3

 (4.2 lb/t) or 80% control. The ammonia slip is less than 1 mg/m3. In January 

2006, the catalyst had logged approximately 40,000 hours and was in need of replacement.1

 The 

catalyst was guaranteed for 16,000 hrs, with an expected catalyst life of 3–4 yrs. 

NOx standards are 1000 mg/Nm3

 on a half-hour basis and 500 mg/Nm3 on daily 

basis.(~ 4.6 and 2.3 lb/t, respectively). In 2004, the facility complied with the 500mg/Nm3

 limit 

72.3% of the time and, in 2005, 90.8% of the time.1

 During pilot testing and short-term testing of 

the full-scale system, the facility achieved levels as low as 200 mg/Nm3

 (0.8 lb/t).1 

 The gas temperature inlet to the SCR unit is 320–340 °C (610–640 °F).3, 9

The NOx removal efficiency is typically in the range of 59–67%. Under operating 

conditions of 3,000 mg/Nm3

 and higher, NOx removals of more than 80% have been observed. In 

normal operation, At NOx levels of 1,000–1,600 mg/Nm3

,SCR reduces NOx to about 400–550 

mg/Nm3

. It is to be noted that the plant was designed to comply with a NOx emission limit of 500 

mg/Nm3

 and that it typically was able to meet this level. With a molar ratio of 0.8–0.9, ammonia 

consumption is significantly lower than SNCR. It is also noted that NH3 from the raw material 

also serves as reducing agent in the reactor. Thus, the emission level of residual ammonia is very 

low. Using SCR at Solnhofen, NH3 emissions are usually below 1 mg/Nm3

.

10

The plant has continuous emission monitors (CEMs) for chlorides, PM, SO2, NOx and 

Hg. The kiln also has an SO2 standard of 0.23 lb/t on daily basis. This value is met 100% of the 

time. Also, the catalyst efficiently utilizes ammonia (including ammonia in the raw material), so 

it is not available for detached plume formation.11 

Some of the stone used for raw material contains natural sources of ammonia. The raw 

materials are also naturally low in both sulfur and alkali. Due to the low alkali, there is no alkali 

bypass. Since there is no alkali in the process to balance sulfur or chlorine, the facility must limit 

sulfur and chlorine in the raw materials or fuels to limit the buildup of deposits in the preheater 

tower. Due to the lack of sulfur in the raw materials and the self-imposed low-sulfur limit on the 

fuels, the emissions of SO2 are nearly at the detection limit of the monitor.1

The facility achieves NOx reductions by using a combination of a low NOx burner, 

alternative/waste fuels and either SNCR or SCR. The SNCR and SCR systems do not operate 

simultaneously. The LNB and alternative/waste fuels reduced NOx by 40% (from baseline of 

1,500–1,800 mg/Nm3

 to 800–1,200 mg/Nm3). Using SNCR or SCR further reduces NOx by 
90 

approximately 50%. The facility achieves the current NOx emission limit of 500 mg/Nm3 (a 70% 

reduction from uncontrolled baseline). This limit is a 24-hour average and was issued in 2002 

when the facility operating permit was issued. The SCR construction permit has a goal of 200 

mg/Nm3

; however, the facility has not achieved this level.4

The slipstream pilot test unit tested various plate catalyst. The dust loading in the 

preheater gas (80–100 g/Nm3

), and pressurized cleaning eroded the catalyst from the metal 

substrate. Within 1,000 hours, the reactivity of catalyst was not acceptable. When the full-scale 

SCR system was constructed, a honeycomb catalyst was installed. At the time of SCR full-scale 

installation, an 8-mm catalyst pitch was the largest opening commercially available.1

 In this 

high-dust operation, the catalyst plugged within minutes of commencing SCR operation. 

Eventually, the facility completed the custom manufacturing and testing of honeycomb catalysts 

with larger pitch and with various catalyst formulations. The catalyst configuration that has 

shown the best results is as follows: the first SCR layer contains honeycomb catalyst with a 

13 mm pitch. The third and fifth layers contain honeycomb catalysts with 10 mm pitch. The 

second, fourth, and sixth layers are empty. The seventh layer contains a heat exchanger, which 

preheats the air utilized for pressurized cleaning. Each catalyst bed contains six modules. Each of 

these modules contains 144 catalyst elements in a 12 x 12 arrangement. The total depth of each 

catalyst layer is 35.4 inches. A bypass duct allows the facility to bypass the SCR system 

whenever temperature or pressure drop requires a bypass. 

The most recent catalyst cleaning system utilizes preheated compressed air that 

continuously cleans the catalyst. Dry compressed air at about 900 m3

/hr at 10 bar pressure passes 

through a heat exchanger coil located in the seventh stage of the SCR reactor and then passes 

through insulated lines to each stage/layer of the reactor. Then, the air passes into the reactor, 

where a series of nozzles are located on two parallel bars that span the width of the reactor. The 

full cross-sectional area of the catalyst is reached by the cleaning system. Hydraulics are used to 

move the bars back and forth across the catalyst bed. The speed of the traverse is controlled 

electronically and can be adjusted when the pressure drop across the reactor begins to rise. The 

system cycles every 20 minutes and cleans the catalyst in sequence. Roughly every 3,000–4,000 

hours, the facility bypasses the SCR to perform additional, more thorough cleaning. This unique 

cleaning system took 2 to 3 years to conceptualize, construct, and modify to achieve an effective 

method of catalyst cleaning for this particular cement plant’s design and dust characteristics. 

According to the equipment vendor KWH Catalyst, Inc., of Germany, the problem of fouling 

from heavy dust loading has proven to be quite manageable with regular catalyst cleaning. 

When operating the SCR system, the facility injects a 25%-by-weight ammonia in water 

solution, not in the inlet to the system as is typical of power plant applications, but rather to the 

preheater between the second and third cyclones where the gas temperature is 550 °C (1,020 °F). 

The facility believes this location allows for the best distribution of ammonia in the flue gas, 

resulting in the most efficient SCR operation and lowest ammonia slip. If SNCR is used instead 

of SCR, the ammonia is injected into the preheater, where the gas temperature is approximately 

1,000 °C (1,830 °F). 

The facility considers the SCR setup reasonably reliable. The plant manger is attempting 

to find a catalyst manufacturer to produce a plate catalyst with a formulation producing more 

durability. However, plate catalysts have less surface to volume ratios and less NOx reduction 
91 

capability for identical formulations used in honeycomb catalysts. The facility ceased operation 

of its SCR system in January 2006. Since that time, the facility has operated an SNCR system for 

NOx control. 

10.4.2 Cementeria di Monselice – Italy

ELEX constructed a full-scale SCR system at Cementeria di Monselice in Bergamo, 

Italy. The unit began operation in June 2006. The system’s design is similar to the configuration 

at the Solnhofen plant, and the facility is similar to Solnhofen in size and raw materials. 

In the future, the Monselice operator could theoretically decide to operate at levels closer 

to the permitted limit of 800 mg/m3

 and perhaps start at lower baseline concentration, removing 

only about 50% of the NOx. 

The plant produces pure Type 1 cement (pure ground clinker), as well as various Type II 

cements and pozzolanic cement. Raw materials are primarily limestone and clay. The principal 

fuels are coal and petroleum coke. The NOx limit is 800 mg/Nm3

 (~2.5 lb/t). Lower NOx

emission limits have been set for new projects. For example, the limit at the Italcementi 

modernization in Bergamo is 500 mg/Nm3

 (~1.4 lb/t).13

The kiln is a preheater kiln with a capacity of 100 t/hr. As shown in Table 6-1 of this 

report, preheater kilns have higher uncontrolled NOx emissions than PH/PC kilns. The SCR 

system is a high-dust SCR (i.e., the SCR system is before the PM controls, ESP). The unit is 

installed after the preheater, where the gas temperature is typically 320–350 °C. The aqueous 

ammonia solution is injected in the gas stream below the uppermost preheater cyclone. 

There are six catalyst layers. One layer is designed as a spare. Presently, only three layers 

are loaded with catalysts because the present kiln capacity is 75 t/hr. Catalyst activity remained 

high after 3,500 hours of operation. 

Following startup in June 2006, continuous testing was conducted for six weeks. The 

results of these tests are summarized in Table 10-1. Throughout this short-term test period, the 

system was operated at significantly less than 200mg/Nm3 and significantly less than 1 lb/t of 

clinker. Following the initial test period, the SCR was operated at a set point of about 470 

mg/Nm3

.

19

Table 10-1. SCR Tests – 2006 – Cementerie di Monselice13

Parameter Units Design Actual* 

Kiln capacity t/day 2,400 1,800 

Gas flow m3/h norm; wet 160,000 110,000 

NOx inlet mg/dscm 2,260 1,530/1,070 

Molar ratio NH3/NOx 0.905 0.89/0.2 

NOx outlet mg/dscm @ actual O2 232 75/612 

NOx outlet lb/t <0.6** 

(continued) 
92 

Table 10-1. (continued) 

Parameter Units Design Actual* 

NOx stack Same as above 200 50/408 

NOx removal percent 90 95/43 

NH3 slip mg/dscm < 5 < 1/< 1 

O2 reactor percent 2.5 2.7 

O2 stack percent 5.0 7.1/8.8 (compound) 

Pressure drop Millibars 15 < 5 

NH4OH 25 percent solution; kg/h 445 204/34 

* Two separate sets of data were collected for most parameters. 

** The system operated at significantly less than 200mg/Nm3

. 

Fuel burn during the tests was typically 80% petroleum coke blend with various types of 

coal as backup fuel. After this testing, the set point for NOx is usually at 400 mg/m3

. The SCR 

system is guaranteed by ELEX to reduce NOx by 90% from 2,000 to 200 mg/m3

 (uncorrected).12

For testing and demonstrations, NOx is lowered to below 100 mg/m3

. Also during these tests, 

VOC was oxidized by 75%. NH3 emissions before SCR operation were 25–50 mg/ m3

 due to 

ammonia in the raw materials. The ammonia in the raw material is consumed in the SCR 

process. 13 

10.4.3 Italcementi Sarche di Calavino – Italy

An SCR unit was installed at this facility in early 2007. The kiln is a relatively small 

Polysius LEPOL kiln. Dry meal is conveyed from the blending silos to a nodulizer (a flat pan 

rotating in an inclined plane) in which the meal is dampened and pelletized before passing into 

the LEPOL grate. This grate is a long arch-shaped refractory brick-lined structure with a 

traveling grate where the pellets are partially calcined before they enter the kiln.15

10.5 ISSUES/SOLUTIONS USING SCR AT CEMENT KILNS 

Due to the limited experience of using SCR in cement kilns, issues have been raised on 

the applicability of SCR for cement kilns. The following is a summary of the discussion in the 

Texas – Ellis County Report15, which explored potential NOx reduction strategies for cement 

kilns in Ellis County, Texas, and on St. Lawrence Cement (SLC). SLC proposed to construct a 

new PH/PC kiln at their facility in Greenport, NY. SLC has decided not to construct this kiln. 

The following summarizes information developed during this process. This information is useful 

as it presents what some believe are problems with the use of SCR in cement kilns and responses 

to these apparent problems. 

Most SCR systems are designed to operate between 315–390 °C (600–750 °F). For the 

SLC project, the SCR system would have been located downstream of the preheater cyclones 

and prior to the roller mill. According to the Mechanical Process Flow Sheet prepared by Krupp, 

the process exhaust temperature is 320 °C (608 °F) at this location, which is ideal for SCR. Also, 

it was believed that SCR would not interfere with or affect the cement manufacturing process.16
93 

SCR systems have been successfully used at coal-fired power plants for the control of 

NOx emissions. The Ellis County report notes that due to differences in the nature of cement kiln 

and coal-fired power plant processes, as well as the chemical composition of the ash and other 

factors, the successful application of SCR systems to control NOx emissions from cement plants 

is not certain. Possible problems with SCR use with cement kilns are discussed in the report, 

such as the high calcium content of cement dust relative to coal dust and the high grain loadings 

of kiln exhaust gases relative to utility boilers. On the Solnhofen experience with SCR, the report 

states that it was successful and that issues on SCR use on cement kilns may have been resolved. 

The report states “SCR is, under certain conditions, a technically feasible alternative for 

significantly reducing NOx emissions from cement kilns.”14

10.5.1 SO2 Oxidation

In general, operational histories of SCR installations at coal-fired power plants and the 

one cement plant indicate that NOx reductions are being achieved in a reliable manner. The 

reason that many of the older units are not achieving NOx removals greater than 80% is that the 

plants were not designed to achieve higher removal efficiencies. Advances in SCR technology 

have resulted in present-day SCR systems that typically achieving 90% or greater.14

Detrimental impacts are believed to occur due to significant levels of SO3 in the SCR flue 

gas due to the oxidation of SO2 by SCR catalyst. The SO3 can cause catalyst pore masking, the 

formation of ammonium salts that can plug downstream equipment, and acid mist emissions.17

High SO3 concentrations are believed to lead to catalyst deactivation and other serious 

problems relating to SO2 oxidation. A high SO3 concentration (10–20 ppmv), when coupled with 

the high calcium level in the cement kiln flue gas, could purportedly cause deactivation of the 

SCR catalyst due to the masking effect of calcium sulfate. In addition, any SO3 that does not 

react with the calcium could react with any unused NH3 to form ammonium sulfate or 

ammonium bisulfate and cause fouling of downstream equipment. Sulfur in the raw meal can be 

in several forms: calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, and sulfites such as pyrites or organically 

bound sulfur. Only the volatile sulfur compounds (namely the sulfides and organically bound 

sulfur) are oxidized and released in the preheater as SO2.

9

In response to concerns over catalyst deactivation, the use of SCR systems at a number of 

coal-fired boilers show that SCR systems can be designed for high calcium and high sulfur flue 

gases. SCR catalyst suppliers have indicated that CaSO4 formation does not pose a major 

concern because they believe that the SO3 generated in the process is captured by the free CaO in 

the gas stream. Thus, SO2 oxidation by the catalyst will have no negative impact on the amount 

of SO3 formed and subsequently captured. 

SCR’s success at Solnhofen indicates that the SCR process eliminates 50–70% of SO2. It 

is unclear where in the process the SO2 removal occurred. The SO2.removal could occur due to 

adsorption of SO2 in the baghouse that replaced an ESP.16

The conversion of SO2 to SO3 by an SCR is dependent on the raw materials used at each 

plant and will vary for each plant. The problem is, in part, minimized by the presence of moist 
94 

limestone dust in the raw mill that will capture SO3. When the raw mill is down, the injection of 

fine hydrated lime mist can be practiced if needed.10

Also, the catalyst at Solnhofen has completed 24,000 hours of operation without any 

plugging problems or acid mist emissions. The presence of high SO3 concentration has not led to 

catalyst deactivation and other problems at facilities with high calcium and high sulfur flue gases 

based on experience at various coal-fired plants.18

10.5.2 High CaO Loading and Potential Masking – CaSO4 Formation

SO3 oxidation could lead to catalyst masking by CaSO4 formation and the generation of 

significant levels of sulfuric acid mist. SLC at Greenport will have SO2 concentration of 177 

mg/Nm3

 (600 ppmv) in the preheater exhaust gas. With 0.5–2.0% SO2 oxidation, a high SO3

concentration of 8–17 ppmv could result. This high SO3 concentration, along with the high 

calcium level in the cement kiln flue gas, would deactivate SCR catalyst due to masking effects 

of calcium sulfate.17

However, catalyst plugging problems can be prevented by managing the type and 

frequency of soot blowing and by using a heated, compressed air blowing system.16

10.5.3 Ammonium Bisulfate14

SO3 that does not react with calcium may react with any ammonia slip from the SCR unit 

to form ammonium sulfate or ammonium bisulfate, which could cause fouling of downstream 

equipment. Solnhofen has not had to face SO3 concentrations of this magnitude because inlet 

SO2 is so low.17 Where raw material SO2 levels are high, formation of ammonium salts may be a 

problem. 

Also, it is argued that ammonium salts could increase condensable PM levels, making it 

difficult for a facility to meet its PM limits.9

In SCR systems with SO2, NH3, and moisture present, ammonium salts will form at 

temperatures below 300–310 °C (580–590 °F). The best way to prevent their formation is to 

continuously control the SCR inlet temperature such that it is always 310 °C (600 °F) or greater. 

Regarding the possible release of SO3, catalyst manufacturers report that SO3 gas is totally 

captured by conversion to particulate calcium sulfates and sulfites because it is contacted by free 

lime upstream, within, and downstream of the SCR catalyst. Thus, the formation of undesirable 

byproducts should be inherently controlled by the free CaO in the system and can be further 

controlled by controlling the SCR inlet temperature.14, 16

10.5.4 Water Soluble Alkali – Alkali Poisoning – Catalyst Deactivation9, 14, 17

The total quantity of poisons and availability of catalyst poisons reaching the vanadium 

pentoxide in the SCR catalyst needs to be examined.17 There is limited experience with alkali 

poisoning of catalysts in cement plants to know the extent to which this will be a problem. 

Poisoning occurs when contaminants in the gas being treated react with the catalyst, 

resulting in catalyst deactivation. It’s been argued that SCR in a cement plant will be subject to 
95 

poisoning, principally from sodium, potassium, and arsenic trioxide. Phosphorous, chromium, 

and lead compounds can also poison an SCR catalyst, but these are expected to be present in 

lower concentrations at cement kilns. However, the typical concentration of sodium oxide in the 

PM of certain coal-fired utilities is greater than double the Na2O concentrations in the PM of the 

average cement plant. Also, the maximum Na2O concentration in the PM emissions from coalfired utility boilers can be significantly greater than the maximum expected concentration of 

Na2O in the average cement plant emissions. Similarly As2O3 concentration of flue gas of typical 

coal-fired plant is well above the typical concentration expected from the average cement 

plant.9, 15

10.5.5 Catalytic Deactivation Due to Catalyst Poisoning 13, 14, 16–18

Poisoning occurs when the contaminants in the flue gas react with the catalyst, resulting 

in catalyst deactivation. In PH/PC kilns, materials such as sodium and potassium compounds 

may be present in relatively elevated concentrations on particle surfaces in “water soluble” form 

that can contact the SCR surface of the catalyst bed and poison the V2O5 “active ingredient.” It is 

argued that in coal-fired boilers, the sodium and potassium are, to a major extent, trapped within 

a glass-like fly ash particle. Phosphorous, chromium, and lead compounds can also poison an 

SCR catalyst, but since these are expected to be present in lower concentrations at cement kilns, 

they are of lesser concern.14 It is widely known, however, that fly ash particles from coal-fired 

boilers are in the form of tiny spheres and, during combustion, the particles are actually liquid 

and spheres formed as tiny bubbles by evolved gases trying to escape. Boilers are designed to 

cool the molten particles to a solid state so that they can be easily removed from boiler tubes. 

However, depending on the fly ash temperature and its chemical composition, some fly ash will 

deposit in various sections of the boiler. The deposits that form at the back end of the boiler (on 

the economizer and air heater) are called “low-temperature deposits.” Low-temperature deposits 

are usually characterized by low pH; many contain hydrated salts and, for most bituminous coals, 

are water soluble. Therefore, coal-fired boilers do have fly ash deposits in the economizer section 

of the boiler that are water soluble; however, deactivation has not been found to occur. Also, 

SCR systems have been installed on oil-fired boilers despite the relatively higher levels of watersoluble alkaline metals found in the fly ash from such boilers.14, 16

10.5.6 Catalyst Plugging and Fouling Due to High Dust Loading and Depositing of “Sticky 

Materials”

Catalyst plugging and fouling involves the accumulation of dust that blocks access to the 

catalyst pores. It is argued that high dust loadings could plug or foul the SCR catalyst beds. 

However, the Solnhofen SCR system has operated at a dust loading of 80g/Nm3

, a relatively high 

dust loading. The level of NOx removal shows that high dust loading can be managed to avoid 

catalyst plugging and fouling while maintaining high levels of control. Related to the plugging 

and fouling issues, it is argued that “sticky deposits” in the preheater exhaust gas could foul and 

plug the SCR catalyst. Specifically, certain cement kiln operations could be prone to producing 

sticky deposits at exactly the temperature ranges in which SCR systems operate. Sticky deposits 

are a widespread problem, occurring on cement kiln induced draft fans. 14

The presence of alkali in cement kilns is a factor in the build up of sticky deposits, i.e., 

extremely hard, layered, brick-like build up associated with the impingement of PM at high 
96 

velocity against the rotating parts of the fan impeller. To avoid build-up, one recommendation is 

to select a fan that minimizes the gas/dust velocity at the fan rotor inlet. Alternatives include 

using double inlet fans or using larger diameter, lower RPM fans. Sticky deposits or build up 

developing on other parts of the cement kiln system are not common. Thus, the sticky deposit 

problem appears to be related solely to the ID fan and is due to high-impact velocity of the dust 

particles mostly on the fan. This problem should not affect an SCR catalyst that is subject to 

comparatively low gas velocities in comparison to an ID fan.14 

For instance, gas velocities through an SCR system are typically less than 6.2 m/sec 

(1,220 ft/min); whereas the peripheral gas speed at the kiln ID fan rotor inlet is approximately 

15,000 ft/min. Possible problems relating to thermal sintering have been addressed by advances 

in catalyst technology and proper system design. The problem of thermal sintering has been 

avoided by incorporating tungsten in catalyst and by a bypass around SCR so that the catalyst is 

not exposed to high-temperature excursions. Hardening the leading edge of the catalyst and 

arranging the catalyst bed so that airflow is parallel to catalyst channels have addressed catalyst 

erosion.14

Sticky deposits are primarily due to alkali salts (mainly potassium and sodium chloride 

and sulfates), which will be significantly removed by the alkali bypass system. Also, Alstom, an 

SCR equipment supplier, stated that sticky deposits can be addressed through the type and 

frequency of soot blowing.14, 18

10.5.7 NOx Inlet Variability/NH3 Slip 13, 14, 17, 18

Variation in NOx emissions is greater at cement kilns than for power plants. Also, there 

are considerable differences among cement kilns in uncontrolled NOx emissions.17 This results in 

higher ammonia slip, which combined with possibly higher SO2 levels, represents a serious 

problem. However, in an SCR system, the injected ammonia is adsorbed onto the surface of the 

catalyst. Thus, there is a reservoir of unused ammonia on the catalyst surface that is available to 

handle sudden peaks in inlet NOx concentrations, which enables SCR systems to control 

fluctuating NOx levels.14

Equipment vendors KWH and Alstom each guarantee a low ammonia slip of 2 ppmvd. 

Solnhofer’s achieves NOx emissions of 500 mg/Nm3

 (2.3 lb/t) and less than 1 mg/Nm3 of 

ammonia.18

Coal-fired boilers have been operating SCR systems successfully for years despite 

considerable NOx fluctuations in their flue gases. SCR suppliers typically guarantee a NH3 slip of 

< 2 ppmv for any coal-fired boiler. Also, the Solnhofen data indicates that with all of inherent 

variability, they have achieved a high degree of NOx control with low ammonia slip. Data 

indicates SCR inlet varies from 800–1200 mg/Nm3

, whereas the outlet varies from 300–726 

mg/Nm3

. Average outlet NOx concentration is less than 2.3 lb/t (500 mg/Nm3); however, at these 

variable conditions, NH3 slip has been maintained in 1–2 ppmv range.9, 14

10.5.8 Temperature-Related Factors Leading to Lower SCR NOx Removal Efficiencies 9, 14 

The following operating conditions will help to avoid temperature-related SCR problems: 
97 

 An acceptable normal operating temperature 

 Even temperature distribution 

 Avoiding temperature extremes (which may lead to catalyst deactivation or sintering). 

Low temperatures can lead to lower NOx reduction efficiencies and/or higher catalyst 

activity (leading to possible SO2 oxidation) and to possible ammonium bisulfite/ammonium 

sulfate (ABS/AS) formation in the catalyst pores. 

To address the temperature concerns of a slightly lower than desirable temperature, 

equipment can be installed to ensure a temperature of at least 315 °C (600 °F) for flue gas 

entering the SCR system. Such control systems are commonly used on boiler air supply systems 

and economizer bypass ducts. The SCR reactor should also have an automatically activated 

bypass duct around the reactor so that during periods of high temperature fluctuations (> 

approximately (430 °C [800 °F]), automatically controlled dampers will send the hot flue gas to 

a reactor bypass duct, thus preventing any damage to the SCR catalyst. Therefore, temperature 

issues, whether involving normal operating temperatures or temperature fluctuation, should be 

correctable with simple process reconfigurations.14

To address normal operating temperatures and temperature fluctuations, FOH 

recommends that a bypass system be installed that would divert a quantity of gas from the gas 

duct between the fourth and fifth stages of the preheater.13 

10.6 DEVELOPMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES 

A possible control system to use in new cement kilns is a SNCR/SCR hybrid 

combination. This system has been used in the power industry (AES –Greenidge, NY) and at 

waste-to-energy plants (ASM Brescai, Italy). 

The SCR injectors can be the same as the injectors for SNCR. Most NOx would be 

destroyed in the SNCR temperature window near the bottom of the preheater.This allows for 

smaller volume of catalyst in the SCR zone (after the preheater) than an SCR system with 

reagent injection at the top of the preheater. 

Another NOx reduction technique is flame cooling. The addition of water to the fuel or 

directly to the flame reduces the temperature and increases the concentration of hydroxyl 

radicals. This can have a positive effect on NOx reduction in the burning zone; reduction 

efficiencies of from 0–50% have been reported. Additional heat is required to evaporate the 

water, which causes slight additional CO2 emissions (approximately 0.1–1.5%) compared to the 

total CO2 emissins of the kiln. Water injection can cause kiln operation problems.10

10.7 REFERENCES 

1. E-mail transmission from T. Carter, Portland Cement Association, to B. Neuffer, U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency. PCA Comments on the Alternative Control 

Techniques Document Update – NOx Emissions from New Cement Kilns. Draft dated 

June 2007. August 20, 2007. 
98 

2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. NOx Control Technologies for the Cement 

Industry. Prepared by EC/R Incorporated. September 19, 2000. Available at 

www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/ozone/ozonetech/cement_nox_update_09152000.pdf. 

3. Kossina, I. Reduction of NOx Emissions from Exhaust Gases of Cement Kilns by Selective 

Catalytic Reduction. Dipl.-Ing. Proceedings of NOx Conference, Paris. March 2001. 

4. Portland Cement Association. Report on NOx Formation and Variability in Portland 

Cement Kiln Systems Potential Control Techniques and Their Feasibility and Cost 

Effectiveness. PCA R&D Serial No. 2227. Prepared by Penta Engineering Corp. 1999. 

5. Linero, A. SNCR NOx at US Cement Plants. Is SCR Close Behind? Paper #638 presented 

at the AWMA Annual Conference. June 2005. 

6. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Alternative Control Techniques Document – NOx

Emissions from Cement Manufacturing. EPA-453/R-94-004. March 1994. Available at 

www.epa.gov/ttn/cata/dir1/cement.pdf. 

7. ELEX. Website: http://www.elex.ch/doc/denox.pdf. Accessed March 6, 2007. 

8. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 11.6 Portland Cement Manufacturing. AP 42, 

Chapter 11.6. Available at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/ap42/ch11/final/c11s06.pdf. 

9. E-mail transmission from A. Linero, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, to 

B. Neuffer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. SCR – Cement Kilns. March 28, 

2005. 

10. Letter from A. Linero, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, to B. Neuffer, 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Comments on Draft Alternative Control 

Techniques Document Update – NOx Emissions from New Cement Kilns (June 2006). 

July 18, 2007. 

11. Friends of Hudson. Summary of Research Concerning Applicability of Selective Catalytic 

Reduction to Control Emissions of Nitrogen Oxides from the Proposed St. Lawrence 

Cement Company Cement Manufacturing Facility in Hudson/ Greenport, New York. 

Undated. 

12. E-mail transmission from A. Linero, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, to 

B. Neuffer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. December 2006. 

13. Leibacher, U., and A.A. Linero. “High Dust SCR Solutions.” International Cement 

Review. December 2006 

14. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Assessment of NOx Emissions Reduction 

Strategies for Cement Kilns – Ellis County. Final Report. Prepared by ERG. July 14, 

2006. Available at www.tceq.state.tx.us/ implementation/air/sip/ BSA_settle.html. 
99 

15. Letter from A. Linero, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, to B. Neuffer 

and K. Barnett, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Additional Comments on Draft 

Alternative Control Techniques Document Update – NOx Emission from New Cement 

Kilns (June 2007). August 29, 2007. 

16. St. Lawrence Cement. Responses to Comments submitted by Friends of Hudson, 

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and Connecticut Attorney 

General. April 2004. 

17. Friends of Hudson. Response to St. Lawrence Cement’s Supplemental LAER Analysis. 

March 24, 2004 

18. Friends of Hudson. Response to St. Lawrence Cement’s April 2004 SCR Comments. 

July 8, 2004. 

19. Linero, A., U. Leibacher, and C. Bellin. High Dust SCR Succeeds at Cementeria di 

Monselice, paper 513. no date.
100 

[This page intentionally left blank.] 
101 

11.0 MULTIPOLLUTANT ASPECTS OF SELECTIVE NONCATALYTIC REDUCTION 

(SNCR) AND SELECTIVE CATALYTIC REDUCTION (SCR) 

Besides their ability to reduce emissions of NOx, post-combustion controls, SNCR and 

SCR, reportedly have other impacts in the form of small increases or decreases in the emissions 

of other pollutants. For example, NH3 slippage is a recognized effect with both technologies. 

This effect is more pronounced when higher molar ratios of NH3/NO are used with SNCR to 

achieve greater NOx removal efficiencies (approaching 200 mg NOx/m3

 or about 1 lb/t of 

clinker). The extent to which there are multipollutant impacts will vary among kilns and depend 

on factors unique to each kiln, including the nature of raw materials and kiln design and the 

operating conditions. A qualitative summary of the multipollutant effects associated with the 

application of SNCR and SCR controls to Portland cement manufacturing is presented in 

Table 11-1. 

Table 11-1. Potential Multipollutant Effects of SNCR and SCR1–9

Pollutant SNCR SCR 

NH3 I I/D 

(lower slippage than SNCR) 

N2O I 

CO I D 

(debateable) 

CO2 I 

PM10 I 

(due to ammonia slip) 

I 

(due to ammonia slip; typically low) 

SO2 D 

H2SO4 (or SO3) I/D

(SO3 created, but removed by PM control 

device; removed by PM control device 

prior to exhaust) 

Hg D 

(Hg0 oxidized in the presence of 

chlorides) 

VOC D 

(may depend on catalyst) 

Dioxin/Furan D 

Note: I - indicates a potential increase in the emissions of the pollutant. D - indicates a 

potential decrease in the emissions of the pollutant. 

The claim of SCR reduction of CO emissions was made as part of a pilot test, but was not 

confirmed.5

 SCR reductions in SO2 emissions result from the conversion of SO2 to SO3 in the 

presence of the catalyst. The resulting SO3 is removed by the particulate matter control device 

(fabric filter or ESP) at the cement plant so that SO3 emissions do not increase.5

 As mentioned 

above, increased emissions of PM10 are associated with ammonia emissions, which are a 
102 

precursor of fine particulate matter. The conversion of elemental mercury to oxidized mercury is 

considered a benefit of SCR because oxidized mercury can be easily controlled using a wet 

scrubber, whereas elemental mercury is difficult to control.5, 9

11.1 REFERENCES 

1. Haug, N., et. al. New Development of High Dust – SCR Technology in the Cement 

Industry; Results of Pilot Tests in Solnhoffen and Development State of a Full Scale SCR 

Unit. 5 pages. Undated. 

2. E-mail transmission from A. Linero, Florida Department of Environmental Protection to 

B. Neuffer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. February 12, 2007. 

3. E-mail transmission from S. Khan, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to B. Neuffer, 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. February 22, 2007. 

4. Bolwerk, R., G. Ebertsch, M. Heinrich, S. Plickert, and M. Oerter. German Contribution 

to the Review of the Reference Document on Best Available Techniques in the Cement 

and Lime Manufacturing Industries. Part II: Cement Manufacturing Industries. Annex V 

and VI. June 1, 2006. 

5. E-mail transmission from A. Linero, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, to 

B. Neuffer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. February 23, 2007. 

6. Leibacher, U., C. Bellin, and A.A. Linero. High dust SCR solutions. International 

Cement Review. December 2006. 

7. MacDonald, J.A. Controlling the NOx after the burn. Energy Tech Magazine. December 

1, 2002. 

8. Institute of Clean Air Companies. White Paper: Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction 

(SNCR) for Controlling NOx Emissions. May 2000. 

9. Lee, C.W., R.K. Srivastava, S.B. Ghorishi, T.W. Hastings, and F.M. Stevens. Study of 

Speciation of Mercury under Simulated SCR NOx Emission Control Conditions. Undated. 
103 

12.0 SNCR AND SCR COSTS 

Costs for SNCR and SCR controls on PH/PC kilns are summarized in Table 12-1. Cost 

information was obtained from a variety of sources and is based on the cost of controls in cement 

kilns in the U.S. as well as Europe. Some costs represent the cost of retrofitting existing kilns and 

likely overstate costs compared to new kiln installations. Costs in Euros were converted to U.S. 

dollars. Where available, information on the year of the costs is included. In some cases, the year 

of the costs was specified in the reference. In a few instances, the year was estimated based on 

the dates of the documents containing the cost information, assuming the year of the costs might 

be expected to be similar to or somewhat earlier than the document date. An example would be 

cost information included as part of a permit application or other correspondence with a 

permitting agency. When available, both capital and annualized costs are presented, as well as 

the method of estimating costs. Both cost effectiveness, expressed as cost per unit of NOx

controlled ($/t NOx), and cost burden, expressed as cost per unit of clinker produced ($/t of 

clinker), are presented. In order to make comparisons of the costs, the costs were scaled to 2005 

using the Chemical Engineering Plant Cost Index as published in Chemical Engineering 

Magazine. Costs in 2005 dollars are shown in Table 12-2. For some of the costs presented in 

Tables 12-1 and 12-2, more detailed information is available in the references cited. 

For SNCR’s, cost effectiveness ranged from $330 to $5,200/t NOx controlled, with a 

mean and median of $1,700 and $1,200, respectively. The cost burden ranged from $0.40 to 

$2.50/t of clinker, with a mean and median of $1.00 and $0.90, respectively. 

For SCR’s, cost effectiveness ranged from $480 to $22,000/t NOx controlled, with a 

mean and median of $4,200 and $1,800/t NOx controlled, respectively. The cost burden ranged 

from $0.60 to $9.10/t of clinker, with a mean and median of $2.50 and $1.80/t of clinker, 

respectively. The highest cost effectiveness and cost burden values were due to the high cost of 

reheating the flue gas before entering the catalyst. 

Capital costs for SNCR systems primarily include the cost of an injection system for the 

ammonia-based or urea-based reagent, the delivery system, reagent storage tanks, and control 

instrumentation. Operating costs include the costs of reagents and additives, electricity for 

reagent pumping, and fuel penalty cost along with operating labor and maintenance 

requirements. The primary annual cost component is ammonia. 

SCR systems applied to cement PH/PC kilns can be either “low-dust” or “high-dust” 

systems depending on their location after or before the particulate matter control device. In both 

SCR systems, capital costs include the cost of the SCR catalyst and reactor, the costs to upgrade 

or replace kiln ID fans when SCR is added to existing PH/PC kilns, and, like the SNCR system, 

the costs of the reagent delivery system, storage and instrumentation. Because of the problems of 

catalyst plugging, the high-dust system requires a catalyst cleaning mechanism, such as 

pressurized air nozzles or sonic horns. The low-dust system avoids costs associated with catalyst 

cleaning. Similar to SNCR, operating costs include operating labor and maintenance costs, 

reagent costs and electricity of reagent pumping. Additional electrical costs are also incurred due 

to an increase in pressure drop caused by the catalyst. High-dust SCR systems incur higher 
104 

energy costs for catalyst cleaning. Operating cost also include catalyst replacement every few 

years.
105 

Table 12-1. SNCR and SCR Costs for Preheater/Precalciner Kilns 

No. 

Kiln 

Retrofit (R) 

or New (N) 

Installation 

Prod Rate, 

t/hr (t/yr) 

Uncont. 

Emission 

Rate 

Cont. 

Emission 

Rate 

NO

x

Reduction 

(%) 

Yr of Cost 

Capital Cost 

($) 

Annualized 

Cost ($) 

Cost Effect. 

 ($/t NO

x) 

Selective Noncatalytic Reduction (SNCR) 1 Model (urea) R 100 

(750000) 

1360 t/yr 680 t/yr 50 1992 969,000 598,000 880 

2 Model (urea) R 150 

(1125000) 

2040 t/yr 1020 t/yr 50 1992 1,240,000 820,000 800 

3 Model (NH3) R 100 

(750000) 

1360 t/yr 680 t/yr 50 1992 1,650,000 665,000 980 

4 Model (NH3) R 150 

(1125000) 

2040 t/yr 1020 t/yr 50 1992 2,110,000 894,000 880 

5 Kiln A R 92 

(736000) 

340 lb/hr 204 lb/hr 40 1997 1,060,000 560,000 1,000 

6 Kiln B R 133 

(1064000) 

510 lb/hr 306 lb/hr 40 1997 1,200,000 2,000,000 2,500 

7 Kiln R 10–50 2004 310–2500 8 Kiln (NH3

reagent) 

R 1998 610000–

1820000 

 0.4

9 Kiln (urea 

reagent) 

R 1998 610000–

1210000 

 1.

10 4 Kilns R 1500, 

2500, 3500, 

5000 t/day 

 2004 1700–2300 0.6
106 

Table 12-1. (continued) 

No. 

Kiln 

Retrofit (R) 

or New (N) 

Installation 

Prod Rate, 

t/hr (t/yr) 

Uncont. 

Emission 

Rate 

Cont. 

Emission 

Rate 

NO

x

Reduction 

(%) 

Yr of Cost 

Capital Cost 

($) 

Annualized 

Cost ($) 

Cost Effect. 

 ($/t NO

x) 

Selective Noncatalytic Reduction (SNCR) (continued) 11 Suwannee 

American Cement, Branford, FL 

N No 

date 

 1250 

12 Slite N 1200 mg/ 

m3

200 mg/ 

m3

80 1999 1,330,000 330 

13 Calciner kiln 

(urea) 

R 150 700 lb/hr 

(>500pp

m) 

385 lb/hr 45 1999 400,000–

800,000 

 675 

14 Holcim #1 R 2,222 t/yr 1,111 t/yr 50 2006 1400 15 Holcim #2 R 1,778 t/yr 889 t/yr 50 2006 1600 16 TXI #5 R 1,710 t/yr 1,112 t/yr 35 2006 2300 17 3500 mt/day 

kiln 

R 3858 t/day 850 mg/ 

m3

250 mg/ 

m3

70 2004 1,153,000 465 

18 Calciner N 100 3.4 lb/t 2.4 lb/t 30 1997 1,300,000 930,000 2400 19 Calciner N 150 3.4 lb/t 2.4 lb/t 30 1997 1,700,000 1,200,000 2100 20 Calciner w/ 

alkali bypass 

N 150 3.4 lb/t 2.4 lb/t 30 1997 2,100,000 1,600,000 2700 

21 Holcim, Lee 

Island, MO 

N 4.0 lb/t 2.6 lb/t 35 2001 3833 
107 

Table 12-1. (continued) 

No. 

Kiln 

Retrofit (R) 

or New (N) 

Installation 

Prod Rate, 

t/hr (t/yr) 

Uncont. 

Emission 

Rate 

Cont. 

Emission 

Rate 

NO

x

Reduction 

(%) 

Yr of Cost 

Capital Cost 

($) 

Annualized 

Cost ($) 

Cost Effect. 

 ($/t NO

x) 

Selective Noncatalytic Reduction (SNCR) (continued) 22 Drake Cement, 

AZ 

N 840 t/yr 588 t/yr 30 2004 1,060,000 4211 

23 Drake Cement, 

AZ 

N 840 t/yr 588 t/yr 30 2003 1,400,000 1,130,000 4480 

24 Florida Rock, 

Newberry, FL 

R 4.0 lb/t 2.0 lb/t 50 2003 

25 Florida Rock, 

Newberry, FL 

R 3.5 lb/t 2.0 lb/t 43 2003 

26 Florida Rock, 

Newberry, FL 

R 3.5 lb/t 2.4 lb/t 43 2003 

27 IEEE Mtg R 400–800 

t/yr 

2001 360,000–

720,000 

360,000–

720,000 

900–1800 

28 Proposed kiln, 

CEMEX #3, FL 

N 3850 t/day 3.5 lb/t 1.95 lb/t 2005 350,000 

(0.20–

0.25/t 

clinker) 

0.40–0.65/ t 

clinker 

470–500 

29 German 

National Expert Group 

Unk. 500 

mg/Nm3

 2006 726,000 363 

30 German 

National Expert Group 

Unk. 200 

mg/Nm3

 2006 1,210,000 495 

31 3500 mt/day 

kiln 

Unk. 3858 t/day 850 

mg/m3

250 

mg/m3

71 2006 1,153,000 1,500,000 465 
108 

Table 12-1. (continued) 

No. 

Kiln 

Retrofit (R) 

or New (N) 

Installation 

Prod Rate, 

t/hr (t/yr) 

Uncont. 

Emission 

Rate 

Cont. 

Emission 

Rate 

NO

x

Reduction 

(%) 

Yr of Cost 

Capital Cost 

($) 

Annualized 

Cost ($) 

Cost Effect. 

 ($/t NO

x) 

Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) 32 Holcim #1 R 2,222 t/yr

(3.4 lb/t)

333 t/yr 

(0.50 

lb/t) 

85 2006 1600 

33 Holcim #2 R 1,778 t/yr

(2.7 lb/t)

267 t/yr 

(0.41 

lb/t) 

85 2006 1900 

34 TXI #5 R 1,710 t/yr

(1.4 lb/t)

342 t/yr 

(0.27 

lb/t) 

80 2006 2000 

35 3500 mt/day 

kiln 

R 3858 t/day 850 mg/ 

m3

250 mg/ 

m3

70 2004 8,320,000 1230 

36 Model R 100 1360 t/yr 270 t/yr 80 1992 19,300,000 5,300,000 4900 37 Model R 150 2040 t/yr 410 t/yr 80 1992 24,600,000 7,180,000 4400 38 Kiln R 70–90+ 2004 1500–2000 39 Kiln R 70 

(529,000 

t/yr) 

800 mg/ 

m3

200 mg/ 

m3

 2004 

40 Suwannee 

American 

N 127 

(1,055,000 

t/yr) 

1320 t/yr 

(2.5 lb/t)

898 t/yr 

(1.7 lb/t)

32 2004 4,600,000 9,100,000 21,000 

(5,400 

without 

reheating 

costs) 

8.6

w

reh

c
109 

Table 12-1. (continued) 

No. 

Kiln 

Retrofit (R) 

or New (N) 

Installation 

Prod Rate, 

t/hr (t/yr) 

Uncont. 

Emission 

Rate 

Cont. 

Emission 

Rate 

NO

x

Reduction 

(%) 

Yr of Cost 

Capital Cost 

($) 

Annualized 

Cost ($) 

Cost Effect. 

 ($/t NO

x) 

Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) 41 Sumter Cement, 

New Center Hill, FL 

N 2404 t/yr 1460t/yr 

(1.7 lb/t)

39 2004 5,500,000 9,600,000 10,200 

(3,000 

without 

reheating 

costs) 

42 VDZ R 1500, 

2500, 3500, 

5000 t/day 

 2004 1.2

43 Proposed kiln, 

CEMEX #3, FL 

N 3850 t/day 3.5 lb/t 1.95 lb/t 44 2005 6,200,000 2,000,000 2000 

44 German 

National Expert Group 

Unk. 500 

mg/Nm3

 2006 2,662,000 594 

45 German 

National Expert Group 

Unk. 200 

mg/Nm3

 2006 3,267,000 517 

46 3500 mt/day 

kiln 

Unk. 3858 t/day 850 

mg/m3

250 

mg/m3

71 2006 8,320,000 3,500,000 1230 

a Hrs of operation: 7500 hr/yr. b Hrs of operation: 8000 hr/yr. c Year of cost is estimated from date of reference. d Euros converted to dollars using $1.21/Euro. e Capital cost = installation cost ($0.67M) + reagent storage cost ($0.67M) f Cost per ton reported as 0.3 euro/kg NOx = ($1.21/euro x 0.3 euro)/(0.0011 ton/kg = $330/t) g Cost based on 85% capacity h Original burden cost reported as $/mt. Converted to short ton (ton) using 1.1 ton/mt. i Conversion apparently using ~$1.31/euro; costs supplied in a 2/1/07 E-mail from Al Linero, Florida DEP. 
110 

j Capital cost is total installed SNCR costs; annualized costs is annual operating cost including capital recovery. k Cost based on equipment cost estimate from Japanese supplier to US cement company for a dry long 47 t/hr kiln. l Assumes 7500 hr/yr m $6.8 million of the annualized cost is for the reheating of the flue gas. Operates 8,322 hrs/yr. n $6.77 million of the annualized cost is for the reheating of the flue gas. o Cost are estimates from German Federal Environmental Office and scaled to CEMEX kiln. Capital cost is the installed cost plus cata

European costs); annualized cost estimated using EPA methods and catalyst replacement every 4 yrs. Clinker production cost is $50/

p Annualized cost represents total operating costs plus specific investment cost. Reported cost converted from euros/mt to $/t. q Annualized cost calculated from reported clinker capacity, annualized costs (specific operating costs + specific total costs), and days o

Annualized SNCR Cost = 3858 t/day x 360 days/yr x $1.11/t clinker = $1,541,657. 

 Annualized SCR Cost = 3858 t/day x 360 days/yr x $2.52/t clinker = $3,499,978. 
111 

Table 12-2. SNCR and SCR Costs for Preheater/Precalciner Kilns in 2005 Dollars 

No. Kiln Prod Rate, t/hr (t/yr) Uncont. Emission Rate Cont. Emission Rate NOx Reduction (%) Original Yr of Cost Annualized Cost ($) Cost Effect. ($/t NOx) Cos

Burden 

clinke

Selective Noncatalytic Reduction (SNCR) 1 Model (urea) 100 (750000) 1360 t/yr 680 t/yr 50 1992 754,192 1,109 1.02 Model (urea) 150 

(1125000) 

2040 t/yr 1020 t/yr 50 1992 1,037,307 1,017 0.93 

3 Model (NH3) 100 

(750000) 

1360 t/yr 680 t/yr 50 1992 822,422 1,209 1.10 

4 Model (NH3) 150 

(1125000) 

2040 t/yr 1020 t/yr 50 1992 1,109,328 1,087 0.98 

5 Kiln A 92 

(736000) 

340 lb/hr 204 lb/hr 40 1997 678,375 1,211 0.92 

6 Kiln B 133 

(1064000) 

510 lb/hr 306 lb/hr 40 1997 2,422,768 3,028 2.28 

7 Kiln 10–50 2004 327–2,635 8 Kiln (NH3 reagent) 1998 0.55–19 Kiln (urea reagent) 1998 1.60–210 4 Kilns 1500, 

2500, 3500, 

5000 t/day 

 2004 1800–2400 0.64–0

11 Suwannee 

American Cement, Branford, FL 

 No date 
112 

Table 12-2. (continued) 

No. Kiln Prod Rate, t/hr (t/yr) Uncont. Emission Rate Cont. Emission Rate NOx Reduction (%) Original Yr of Cost Annualized Cost ($) Cost Effect. ($/t NOx) Cos

Burden 

clinke

Selective Noncatalytic Reduction (SNCR) (continued) 12 Slite 1200 mg/ 

m3

200 mg/ m3 80 1999 396 0.79 

13 Calciner kiln (urea) 150 700 lb/hr 

(>500ppm) 

385 lb/hr 45 1999 809 0.82 

14 Holcim #1 2,222 t/yr 1,111 t/yr 50 2006 1,288 1.09 15 Holcim #2 1,778 t/yr 889 t/yr 50 2006 1,472 1.00 16 TXI #5 1,710 t/yr 1,112 t/yr 35 2006 2,116 0.517 3500 mt/day kiln 3858 t/day 850 mg/ m3 250 mg/ m3 70 2004 490 0.67 18 Calciner 100 3.4 lb/t 2.4 lb/t 30 1997 1,126,587 2,907 19 Calciner 150 3.4 lb/t 2.4 lb/t 30 1997 1,453,661 2,544 20 Calciner w/ alkali 

bypass 

150 3.4 lb/t 2.4 lb/t 30 1997 1,938,215 3,271 

21 Holcim, Lee Island, 

MO 

 4.0 lb/t 2.6 lb/t 35 2001 4,040 

22 Drake Cement, AZ 840 t/yr 588 t/yr 30 2004 1,117,271 4,439 23 Drake Cement, AZ 840 t/yr 588 t/yr 30 2003 1,317,067 5,222 24 Florida Rock, 

Newberry, FL 

 4.0 lb/t 2.0 lb/t 50 2003 0.96 
113 

Table 12-2. (continued) 

No. Kiln Prod Rate, t/hr (t/yr) Uncont. Emission Rate Cont. Emission Rate NOx Reduction (%) Original Yr of Cost Annualized Cost ($) Cost Effect. ($/t NOx) Cos

Burden 

clinke

Selective Noncatalytic Reduction (SNCR) (continued) 25 Florida Rock, 

Newberry, FL 

 3.5 lb/t 2.0 lb/t 43 2003 0.70 

26 Florida Rock, 

Newberry, FL 

 3.5 lb/t 2.4 lb/t 43 2003 0.58 

27 IEEE Mtg 400–800 

t/yr 

2001 427,000–

855,001 

1,069–2,137 

28 Proposed kiln, 

CEMEX #3, FL 

3850 t/day 3.5 lb/t 1.95 lb/t 2005 470–500 

29 German National 

Expert Group 

 500 

mb/Nm3

 2006 

334 0.39

30 German National 

Expert Group 

 200 

mb/Nm3

 2006 

455 0.85

31 3500 mt/day kiln 3858 t/day 850 mg/m3 250 

mb/Nm3

71 2006 

1,379,764 428 1.02

Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) 32 Holcim #1 2,222 t/yr 

(3.4 lb/t) 

333 t/yr 

(0.50 lb/t) 

85 2006 1,472 2.17 

33 Holcim #2 1,778 t/yr 

(2.7 lb/t) 

267 t/yr 

(0.41 lb/t) 

85 2006 1,748 1.84 

34 TXI #5 1,710 t/yr 

(1.4 lb/t) 

342 t/yr 

(0.27 lb/t) 

80 2006 1,840 0.92 

35 3500 mt/day kiln 3858 t/day 850 mg/ m3 250 mg/ m3 70 2004 1,296 1.78 36 Model 100 1360 t/yr 270 t/yr 80 1992 6,927,582 6,405 37 Model 150 2040 t/yr 410 t/yr 80 1992 9,384,913 5,751 
114 

Table 12-2. (continued) 

No. Kiln Prod Rate, t/hr (t/yr) Uncont. Emission Rate Cont. Emission Rate NOx Reduction (%) Original Yr of Cost Annualized Cost ($) Cost Effect. ($/t NOx) Cos

Burden 

clinke

38 Kiln 70–90+ 2004 1,581–2,109 Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) (continued) 39 Kiln 70 

(529,000 t/yr) 

800 mg/ m3 200 mg/ m3 2004 1.28 

40 Suwannee 

American 

127 (1,055,000 

t/yr) 

1320 t/yr 

(2.5 lb/t) 

898 t/yr (1.7 

lb/t) 

32 2004 9,591,670 22,135 9.1

41 Sumter Cement, 

New Center Hill, FL 

 2404 t/yr 1460t/yr 

(1.7 lb/t) 

39 2004 10,118,685 10,751 5.88 

42 VDZ 1500, 

2500, 3500, 

5000 t/day 

 2004 1.28–2

43 Proposed kiln, 

CEMEX #3, FL 

3850 t/day 3.5 lb/t 1.95 lb/t 44 2005 2,000,000 2,000 1.55 

44 German National 

Expert Group 

 500 

mg/m3

 2006 546 0.63 

45 German National 

Expert Group 

 200 

 mg/m3

 2006 476 0.88 

46 3500 mt/day kiln 3858 t/day 850 mg/m3 250 

mg/m3

71 2006 3,219,450 1,131 2.32 
115 

12.1 REFERENCES 

1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Alternative Control Techniques Document – NOx

Emissions from Cement Manufacturing. EPA-453/R-94-004. March 1994. Available at 

www.epa.gov/ttn/cata/dir1/cement.pdf. 

2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. NOx Control Technologies for the Cement 

Industry. Prepared by EC/R Incorporated. September 19, 2000. Available at 

www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/ozone/ozonetech/cement_nox_update_09152000.pdf. 

3. Midwest Regional Planning Organization. Interim White Paper – Midwest RPO 

Candidate Control Measures. March 2005. 

4. CEMBUREAU. Best Available Techniques for Cement Industry. December 1999. 

5. VDZ (German Cement Works Association). Environmental protection in cement 

manufacture. VDZ Activity Report 2003 –2005. 2005. 

6. Suwannee American Cement, Branford, FL. Best Available Control Technology (BACT) 

Determination. Undated. 

7. Reduction of NOx with SNCR Technology at Slite Cement Program, March 2000, Per 

Junker, Director of Environmental Protection, County Administration of Gotland, 

Organization Committee on NO-N2O Emissions Control, November 17, 2000. 

8. NESCAUM. Status Report on NOx Controls – Technologies and Cost Effectiveness. 

December 2000. 

9. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Assessment of NOx Emissions Reduction 

Strategies for Cement Kilns – Ellis County. Prepared by ERG Inc. July 14, 2006. 

Available at www.tceq.state.tx/us/implementation/air/sip/BSA_settle.html. 

10. VDZ. Technical and Scientific Cement Conference. The Present State of NOx Abatement 

with the SNCR Process, Nuremburg, Germany. November 27, 2005. 

11. Portland Cement Association. Report on NOx Formation and Variability in Portland 

Cement Kiln Systems Potential Control Techniques and Their Feasibility and Cost 

Effectiveness. PCA R&D Serial No. 2227. Prepared by Penta Engineering Corporation. 

1999. 

12. Holcim. Project Review of Construction Permit. Lee Island, MO. May 31, 2002. 

13. Letter from Drake Cement to Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. 

February 25, 2005. 

14. Arizona Department of Environmenttal Quality. Drake Cement. Class 1 Air Permit 

Application. June 9, 2004. 
116 

15. Florida Rock Industries. SNCR Test Report. Newberry, FL. December 2004. 

16. Hower, J. Cement Kiln Application of Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction – Myth or 

Reality? Presented at IEEE Florida Meeting, May 2002. 

17. Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Report in Support of an Application for 

a PSD Construction Permit Review – CEMEX, Inc., Kiln 3. October 12, 2006. Available 

at www.dep.state.fl.us/Air/permitting/construction/cemex.htm. 

18. Linero, A. SNCR NOx at US Cement Plants. Is SCR Close Behind? Paper #638 presented 

at the AWMA Annual Conference. June 2005. 

19. Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Technical Evaluation and Preliminary 

Determination – Suwannee American Cement, Branford, FL. Permit Modification to 

Increase Production, Inject Fly Ash into Calciner, Install a Selective Non-Catalytic 

Reduction System. DEP File No. 1210465-011-AC. Division of Air Resources 

Management. February 16, 2005. 

20. Florida Department of Environmental Protection. BACT Application. Sumter Cement, 

New Center Hill, FL. September 2005. 

21. German National Expert Group. German Contribution to the Review of the Reference 

Document on Best Available Techniques in the Cement and Lime Manufacturing 

Industries. June 1, 2006. 

22. Letter from A. Linero, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, to B. Neuffer, 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Comments on Draft Alternative Control 

Techniques Document Update – NOx Emissions from New Cement Kilns (June 2006). 

July 18, 2007. 

23. Scur, P., Dipl. Ing.; Hoppe, H., Ph.D., The Present State of NOx Abatement with the 

SNCR Process. Cement International, No. 2/2006.
A-1 

APPENDIX A 

BEST AVAILABLE CONTROL TECHNOLOGY (BACT)/ REASONABLY AVAILABLE 

CONTROL TECHNOLOGY (RACT)/ LOWEST AVAILABLE EMISSION RATE 

(LAER) DETERMINATIONS 

BACT/RACT/LAER determinations for NOx emissions for U.S. cement kilns built since 

2002 are shown in Table A-1. As noted in the table, a NOx limit of approximately 2.0 pounds per 

ton (lb/t) of clinker (30-day rolling average) is a typical emission limit for recently permitted 

kilns. To achieve this emission limit, plants often install SNCR control technologies, in addition 

to process controls, such as low NOx burners and staged combustion. Longer compliance periods 

tend to dampen the effects of emission spikes so that emission limits are typically set at lower 

levels for longer compliance periods. More recent determinations are available at the 

RACT/BACT/LAER Clearinghouse at http://cfpub.epa.gov/rblc/htm/bl02.cfm. 

Table A-1. BACT Determinations – U.S. Cement Plants1–3

Permit 

Date Plant Kiln type 

Max 

Production NOx Limit (lb/t) Control Option 

2002 Cemex - Victorville, CA NA NA 2.8–30-day rolling 

avg; 583 lb/hr 

LNB, MSC 

7/1/02 LaFarge - Buffalo, IA PH/PC 3,488 t/day 4; 2546 t/yr GCP 

9/24/02 Continental Cement - 

Hannibal, MO 

Kiln 183 t/hr 8 SNCR; LNB; 

Top air duct 

4/10/03 GCC Dakota - Rapid 

City, SD 

Kiln 2,250 t/day 5.5; 2,267 t/yr PH/PC 

6/13/03 Roanoke Cement -

Troutville, VA 

Kiln 1.3mm 

TIBS/yr 

982 lb/hr; 2,850 t/yr GCP and CEMS 

12/11/03 Lehigh - Mason City, IA PH/PC 150 t/hr 2.85; 1,496 t/yr SNCR; LNB; 

Combustion 

controls, kiln 

design 

NA AZ PC - Marana, AZ 5-stage 

PH/PC 

2.3 million 

t/yr 

2.3 GCP, LNB, SC 

2/04 Texas Industries - 

Midlothian, TX 

NA NA 2.8 - 30-day rolling 

avg; 681 lb/hr 

LNB. MSC 

6/8/04 Holcim - Lee Island, MO in-line 

kiln 

4.83 million 

t/yr 

3.0 - first 24 mos; 2.8 

after first 24 mo (30-

day rolling avg.) 

SC, LNB 

 2.4 after first 24 mos 

(12-month rolling 

avg.) 

SNCR, SC, LNB 

7/05 Florida Rock - Newberry, 

FL 

PH/PC 125 t/hr 1.95 - 30-day rolling 

average 

SNCR-ammonia; 

Polysius MSC; 

LNB 

(continued) 
A-2 

Table A-1. (continued) 

Permit 

Date Plant Kiln type 

Max 

Production NOx Limit (lb/t) Control Option 

4/5/05 Titan Cement - Pennsuco, 

FL 

PH/PC 250 t/hr 2.17–30-day rolling 

average 

LNB, SC 

2/6/06 Sumter Cement – New 

Center Hill, FL 

PH/PC 208 t/hr 1.95; 406 lb/hr - 30-

day rolling avg 

LNB, SC, SNCR 

2/13/06 American Cement – 

Sumterville, FL 

PH/PC 125 t/hr (24-

hr rolling) 

1.95; 244 lb/hr - 30-

day rolling avg 

LNB, SC, SNCR 

7/7/05 Florida Crushed Stone - 

Brooksville, FL 

PH/PC 125 t/hr 1.95 - 30-day rolling 

average 

same as above 

6/9/06 Suwannee American - 

Branford, FL 

PH/PC 127 t/hr 1.95 - 30-day rolling 

average 

same as above 

4/12/06 Drake – AZ (Class I area) PH/PC 83 t/hr 95 lb/hr (hourly rolling 

24 hr avg); 1.95 lb/t 

(daily rolling 30-day 

average) 

same as above 

GCP- Good Combustion Practices; LNB - Low NOx Burners; CEMS - Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems

REFERENCES 

1. Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Technical Support Document and 

Statement of Basis for Construction of Drake Cement, L.L.C., Portland Cement Plant. Air 

Quality Permit Number 1001770. June 9, 2004. Available at www.azdeq.gov/download/ 

draketsd.pdf. Accessed March 6, 2007. 

2. Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Report in Support of an Application for 

a PSD Construction Permit Review – Natural Resources of Central Florida, Inc. 

American Cement Company, Sumterville, FL. October 4, 2005. pp. 93–99. Available at 

www.dep.state.fl.us/Air/ permitting/construction/american. 

3. Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Technical Determination. Sumter 

Cement Company. December 21, 2005. 
United States 

Environmental Protection Agency 

Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards 

Sector Policies and Programs Division 

Research Triangle Park, NC 

Publication N