A vertical coal mill is a critical piece of equipment in cement plants, primarily used for grinding coal into fine powder before combustion in the kiln or calciner. It offers high efficiency, low energy consumption, and stable operation compared to traditional ball mills.
Key Features of Vertical Coal Mill in Cement Plants
1. High Grinding Efficiency
– Uses rollers and a rotating table to crush and grind coal.
– Better particle size distribution compared to ball mills.
2. Low Energy Consumption
– Consumes 20-30% less power than traditional ball mills.
– Optimized airflow reduces auxiliary power usage.
3. Drying Capability
– Can handle coal with moisture content up to 15%.
– Hot gases from kiln exhaust or auxiliary heat sources dry the coal during grinding.
4. Compact Design & Small Footprint
– Vertical structure saves space compared to horizontal ball mills.
5. Low Noise & Vibration
– Smoother operation with reduced mechanical wear.
6. Flexibility in Coal Types
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Can grind various types of coal (bituminous, sub-bituminous, lignite).
Working Principle
1. Raw coal is fed into the mill through a central feed pipe.
2. The rotating grinding table crushes the coal between rollers and the table.
3. Hot air (300–350°C) dries and lifts fine particles to a classifier.
4. Coarse particles fall back for regrinding, while fine coal powder exits with the air stream for combustion.
Applications in Cement Plants
– Primary fuel grinding for kiln firing.
– Alternative fuel (e.g., petcoke) grinding.
– Pre-calciner combustion support.
Advantages Over Ball Mills
✔ Lower power consumption
✔ Faster drying of wet coal
✔ Smaller footprint
✔ Easier maintenance
Common Manufacturers
– LOESCHE (Germany) – Leading supplier with advanced technology.
– FLSmidth (Denmark) – Offers ATOX® vertical mills.
– Sinoma/NHI (China) – Cost-effective solutions.
– UBE Machinery (Japan) – Reliable vertical roller mills.
Maintenance Considerations
– Regular inspection of rollers and grinding table.
– Monitoring of hydraulic pressure systems.
– Wear protection for high-abrasion zones.
Conclusion
Vertical coal mills are an efficient, reliable solution for cement