Clinker production facility and clinker production method

Abstract

To provide a clinker production facility and a clinker production method capable of reducing the consumption of fuel.SOLUTION: A clinker production facility includes a kiln configured to fire a cement raw material by combustion of fuel to produce clinker, a clinker cooler configured to cool the clinker discharged from the kiln, a supply unit configured to supply methane-containing gas to an upstream space in the clinker cooler, and a cooling unit configured to supply cooling gas to the clinker in the clinker cooler. The kiln includes an upstream end into which a cement raw material is charged and a downstream end from which produced clinker is discharged. The clinker cooler includes an end wall connected to the downstream end of the kiln and a discharge part through which cooled clinker is discharged. The upstream space is a space between the end wall and a position corresponding to 50% of the entire length of the clinker cooler from the end wall toward the discharge part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a clinker production facility and a clinker production method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a method for producing clinker, which includes introducing carbon dioxide and hydrogen contained in exhaust gas generated in a clinker production facility into a catalyst, and supplying methane produced by the reaction of the carbon dioxide and hydrogen as fuel to a burner installed in the front of the kiln. This reduces the amount of carbon dioxide emissions, a greenhouse gas, and reduces the amount of fossil fuel used by using methane gas as an alternative fuel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-187720 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-096846 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure describes a clinker production facility and a clinker production method that can reduce fuel usage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An example of a clinker production facility includes a kiln configured to produce clinker by burning fuel to calcinate cement raw materials, a clinker cooler configured to cool the clinker discharged from the kiln, a supply unit configured to supply a methane-containing gas to an upstream space in the clinker cooler, and a cooling unit configured to supply a cooling gas to the clinker in the clinker cooler. The kiln includes an upstream end where the cement raw materials are introduced and a downstream end where the produced clinker is discharged. The clinker cooler includes an end wall connected to the downstream end of the kiln and a discharge unit where the cooled clinker is discharged. The upstream space is the space between the end wall and a position 50% of the total length of the clinker cooler from the end wall toward the discharge unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The clinker production equipment and clinker production method according to the present disclosure make it possible to reduce the amount of fuel used. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a clinker production facility. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram mainly showing the clinker cooler of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the clinker cooler of FIG. 2 cut along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the main parts of a clinker production facility. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the controller. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing another example of a clinker cooler. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing another example of a clinker cooler. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In the following description, the same elements or elements having the same functions will be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. Note that in this specification, when referring to the top, bottom, right, and left of a figure, the directions of the reference numerals in the figure will be used as the reference.

[0009] [Cement clinker manufacturing facility] First, an example of a clinker production facility 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The clinker production facility 1 is part of a cement production facility and, as illustrated in Figure 1, is a device for producing cement clinker MT4 from cement raw materials MT1. The clinker production facility 1 also has a function of internally treating the exhaust gas emitted from itself, and also operates as an exhaust gas treatment device. The clinker production facility 1 includes a raw material storage area 10, a dryer 12 (dryer), a pulverizer 14 (dryer), a silo 16, an SP (suspension preheater) 18 (preheater), a kiln 20, a power generation device 22, a dust collector 24, a chimney 26, a separation unit 28, a methane generation unit 30, a clinker cooler 100, an air supply unit 32 (supply unit), an air supply unit 34 (cooling unit), and a controller Ctr (control unit).

[0010] The raw material storage yard 10 is configured to store raw cement material MT1. The raw cement material MT1 is a mixture of, for example, limestone, coal ash, silica stone, clay, iron oxide raw materials, waste, etc., and has a size of about several centimeters to a dozen centimeters.

[0011] Dryer 12 is configured to supply hot air (for example, at about 400°C) to the cement raw materials MT1 introduced from raw material storage 10 to dry the cement raw materials MT1. The cement raw materials MT1 dried by dryer 12 become dried raw materials MT2. Exhaust gas G2 from power generation device 22 is introduced into dryer 12 and used to dry the cement raw materials MT1. Meanwhile, exhaust gas G3 from dryer 12 is introduced into dust collector 24. The temperature of exhaust gas G3 when introduced into dust collector 24 is, for example, about 90°C. Note that clinker production equipment 1 does not necessarily have to be equipped with dryer 12. In this case, the cement raw materials MT1 from raw material storage 10 are introduced into crusher 14.

[0012] The pulverizer 14 is configured to pulverize the dried raw material MT2 introduced from the dryer 12. Examples of the pulverizer 14 include a vertical roller mill and a ball mill. The dried raw material MT2 is pulverized by the pulverizer 14 into particles of 300 μm or less to produce granular raw material MT3. As the dried raw material MT2 is pulverized in the pulverizer 14, the dried raw material MT2 comes into contact with exhaust gas G2 from the power generation device 22 and is further dried. The granular raw material MT3 is then introduced into the silo 16. Meanwhile, exhaust gas G4 from the pulverizer 14 is introduced into the dust collector 24. The temperature of the exhaust gas G4 when introduced into the dust collector 24 is, for example, about 90°C.

[0013] The silo 16 is configured to temporarily store the granular raw material MT3 from the crusher 14. The silo 16 is configured to supply the granular raw material MT3 to the SP 18 at appropriate times.

[0014] SP18 is a device that preheats granular raw material MT3 in order to increase the efficiency of firing the raw material in kiln 20. SP18 includes multiple stages (for example, about four to five stages) of cyclones 18a (separators) and a calciner 18b. Granular raw material MT3 is fed into cyclone 18a located at the top of the tower of SP18 and moves downward while passing through each stage of cyclones 18a and calciner 18b in sequence.

[0015] Exhaust gas from the kiln 20 is introduced into the bottom of the SP18. The exhaust gas and granular raw material MT3 are heat exchanged sequentially in the cyclones 18a at each stage, and the granular raw material MT3 is preheated to, for example, about 850°C to become preheated raw material. The preheated raw material produced in the SP18 is discharged from the cyclone 18a located at the bottom of the tower and introduced into the kiln 20. Meanwhile, exhaust gas G1 from the SP18 is discharged from the cyclone 18a located at the top of the SP18 and sent to the power generation device 22 by the induced draft fan 36. The temperature of the exhaust gas G1 is, for example, about 400°C.

[0016] The calciner 18b is provided between the lowest cyclone 18a and the kiln 20. The calciner 18b is configured to burn fuel (e.g., coal such as pulverized coal, coke, etc.) supplied from a supply unit (not shown) to calcinate the preheated raw materials. This improves the production volume and firing efficiency of the preheated raw materials. The calciner 18b is connected to the kiln end 20b (upstream end) of the kiln 20 via a rising duct 18c. Therefore, exhaust gas from the kiln 20 is introduced into the calciner 18b via the rising duct 18c.

[0017] The kiln 20 includes a main body 20a, a kiln bottom 20b, and a burner 20c. The main body 20a is configured to produce cement clinker MT4 by firing preheated raw materials at high temperatures. The main body 20a may be, for example, a horizontally extending rotary kiln. The maximum temperature of the main body 20a typically exceeds 2000°C. Therefore, the preheated raw materials are heated in the main body 20a to, for example, approximately 1450°C. Exhaust gas generated inside the main body 20a during firing is introduced into the SP18. The temperature of the exhaust gas when introduced into the SP18 is, for example, approximately 900°C to 1250°C. The exhaust gas contains carbon dioxide. Meanwhile, the cement clinker MT4 produced by firing in the main body 20a is discharged to a clinker cooler 100 connected to the front section 20d (downstream end) of the main body 20a (kiln 20). The temperature of the cement clinker MT4 discharged to the clinker cooler 100 is, for example, about 1000°C.

[0018] The kiln base 20b connects the rising duct 18c of the SP 18 to the main body 20a, and is configured to introduce preheated raw materials preheated in the SP 18 into the main body 20a. In other words, the kiln base 20b constitutes the upstream end of the kiln 20 where the preheated raw materials are charged.

[0019] Burner 20c is provided on main body 20a so as to extend horizontally at front portion 20d of main body 20a. Burner 20c is configured to combust fuel (e.g., coal such as pulverized coal, coke, etc.) supplied from a supply unit (not shown) and form a flame within main body 20a. Within main body 20a, the preheated raw materials are fired by the flame of burner 20c.

[0020] The power generation device 22 is configured to generate electricity by driving a power generation turbine with steam generated by heat exchange with the exhaust gas G1. Therefore, part of the heat of the exhaust gas G1 is recovered as electrical energy in the power generation device 22. The exhaust gas G2 from the power generation device 22 is introduced into the dryer 12 and the pulverizer 14. Note that the power generation device 22 may be disposed between the SP 18 and the induced draft fan 36, and the exhaust gas G2 from the power generation device 22 may be introduced into the dryer 12 and the pulverizer 14 by the induced draft fan 36.

[0021] The dust collector 24 is configured to separate granular materials (powders or particles) contained in the exhaust gases G3 and G4 from the gas. The dust collector 24 may be, for example, an electrostatic precipitator or a bag filter. A portion of the exhaust gas G5 after passing through the dust collector 24 is released to the outside of the clinker manufacturing facility 1 through a chimney 26 as exhaust gas of the clinker manufacturing facility 1. On the other hand, the remainder of the exhaust gas G5 after passing through the dust collector 24 is introduced into a separation section 28.

[0022] The separation unit 28 is configured to separate carbon dioxide from the exhaust gas G5 supplied from the dust collector 24. The separation unit 28 may contain, for example, an absorption liquid capable of absorbing carbon dioxide. When recovering carbon dioxide from the absorption liquid, the carbon dioxide may be extracted from the absorption liquid by, for example, heating the absorption liquid that has adsorbed the carbon dioxide. The separation unit 28 may be configured to compress the recovered carbon dioxide to increase the concentration of carbon dioxide. The separation unit 28 may be configured to remove harmful components (e.g., nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, etc.) contained in the exhaust gas G5 before separating carbon dioxide from the exhaust gas G5.

[0023] The methane generation unit 30 is configured to generate methane from the carbon dioxide recovered in the separation unit 28 and hydrogen supplied from the outside. The methane generation unit 30 is configured to supply the generated methane to an upstream space V (described in detail later) of the clinker cooler 100. The methane generation unit 30 may utilize, for example, the Sabatier reaction (see the reaction formula below) in which carbon dioxide and hydrogen are reacted via a catalyst to obtain methane. CO2+4H2→CH4+2H2O ΔH 289K =-164.9kJ / mol

[0024] 1 and 2, the clinker cooler 100 is connected to the front part 20d of the main body 20a, and receives cement clinker MT4 obtained by burning the preheated raw materials in the main body 20a. The clinker cooler 100 is configured to cool the cement clinker MT4 with a cooling gas (e.g., air).

[0025] 2, the clinker cooler 100 includes a main body 101, an inlet 102, and a discharge section 103. The main body 101 extends horizontally in a straight line from the inlet 102 to the discharge section 103. The main body 101 is provided with a supply passage 104 that connects the main body 101 and the calciner 18b. The supply passage 104 is configured to supply gas from an internal space of the clinker cooler 100 (for example, an upstream space V1 described below) to the calciner 18b.

[0026] The inlet section 102 is disposed between the front section 20d of the main body 20a and the main body 101 (at the upstream end of the main body 101), and the cement clinker MT4 produced in the kiln 20 is introduced into the inlet section 102. The inlet section 102 extends upward from the main body 101. Therefore, the inlet section 102 is substantially L-shaped. The front section 20d of the kiln 20 is inserted into an opening provided in the end wall 102a of the inlet section 102 on the front section 20d side.

[0027] The discharge section 103 is disposed at the downstream end of the main body section 101. A crusher 105 is disposed below the discharge section 103 for crushing the cement clinker MT4 cooled in the clinker cooler 100. The cement clinker MT4 crushed by the crusher 105 is discharged from an outlet 103a of the discharge section 103. The cement clinker MT4 discharged from the outlet 103a may be stored in, for example, a storage section (e.g., a silo) not shown.

[0028] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, an upper portion of the discharge section 103 is connected to the dust collector 38 via a pipe 103b. A portion of the cooling gas used to cool the cement clinker MT4 in the clinker cooler 100 is introduced into the dust collector 38 from the pipe 103b. The dust collector 38 is configured to separate fine particles accompanying the cooling gas from the cooling gas. The dust collector 38 may be, for example, an electrostatic precipitator or a bag filter. The cooling gas that has passed through the dust collector 38 is released to the outside of the clinker manufacturing facility 1 as exhaust gas from the clinker manufacturing facility 1 (see FIG. 1).

[0029] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the clinker cooler 100 includes an upstream space V1 and a downstream space V2 as its internal spaces. The upstream space V1 may be, for example, the space between the end wall 102a and a position that is approximately 50% of the total length of the clinker cooler from the end wall 102a toward the discharge section 103. The upstream space V1 may be, for example, the space between the end wall 102a and a position that is approximately 30% of the total length of the clinker cooler from the end wall 102a toward the discharge section 103. The upstream space V1 may be the space between the end wall 102a and a position where the supply channel 104 is connected to the clinker cooler 100 (main body 101). Note that the upstream space V1 tends to become wider as the rotation speed of the induced draft fan 36 increases, and the upstream space V1 tends to become narrower as the rotation speed of the induced draft fan 36 decreases. The downstream space V2 is the remaining space within the internal space of the clinker cooler 100 excluding the upstream space V1.

[0030] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the clinker cooler 100 includes a grate plate 106 that forms the floor of the clinker cooler 100. The grate plate 106 may include a plurality of plate-shaped fixed grates (fixed fire grates) and a plurality of plate-shaped movable grates (movable fire grates). The fixed grates and the movable grates may be arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction of the clinker cooler 100 so that their longitudinal ends overlap each other to form a step. The movable grates are configured to be able to move back and forth in the longitudinal direction relative to the fixed grates. Therefore, the cement clinker MT4 is gradually transported on the grate plate 106 toward the discharge section 103 while being pushed out by the steps between the fixed grates and the movable grates as the movable grates move back and forth.

[0031] The clinker cooler 100 includes a plurality of air chambers 110, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. The plurality of air chambers 110 are located below the grate plate 106 and are aligned in a row in the longitudinal direction of the clinker cooler 100. As illustrated in Figure 2, the plurality of air chambers 110 may include six air chambers 111 to 116. In the example of Figure 2, the air chambers 111 to 113 and a portion of the upstream side of the air chamber 114 are included in the upstream space V1.

[0032] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the clinker cooler 100 includes sensors SE1 to SE3. Sensor SE1 is a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of gas flowing from the inlet 102 to the front portion 20d. Sensor SE2 is a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of gas flowing from the main body 101 to the supply path 104. Sensor SE3 is a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of the grate plate 106. Sensor SE3 may be configured to measure the temperature of gas passing through the grate plate 106. As illustrated in FIG. 2, sensors SE3 may be disposed on the grate plate 106 at locations corresponding to the air chambers 111 to 113 included in the upstream space V1. Sensors SE1 to SE3 may be configured, for example, by thermocouples. Data on the temperatures measured by sensors SE1 to SE3 is transmitted to the controller Ctr.

[0033] The gas sending unit 32 operates based on an instruction signal from the controller Ctr, and is configured to supply gas containing methane (methane-containing gas) generated in the methane generation unit 30 to the clinker cooler 100 through the pipe D1, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3. The methane-containing gas may contain carbon dioxide, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, etc. as unreacted gases. The methane concentration of the methane-containing gas may be, for example, 4.9% to 15.4% by volume.

[0034] The gas supply unit 32 may include a plurality of gas supply units 32a to 32d, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. As illustrated in Figure 2, the gas supply unit 32d is configured to supply methane-containing gas to the inlet unit 102 in the upstream space V1 through a pipe D1d that connects the methane production unit 30 and the end wall 102a.

[0035] 2 and 3, the air supply unit 32a is configured to supply the methane-containing gas to the air chamber 111 through a pipe D1a branched from the pipe D1d and a pipe D2a (described later). The air supply unit 32b is configured to supply the methane-containing gas to the air chamber 112 through a pipe D1b branched from the pipe D1d and a pipe D2b (described later). The air supply unit 32c is configured to supply the methane-containing gas to the air chamber 113 through a pipe D1c branched from the pipe D1d and a pipe D2c (described later). That is, in the example of FIGS. 2 and 3, the methane-containing gas is supplied by the air supply units 32a to 32c to the air chambers 111 to 113 included in the upstream space V1 among the multiple air chambers 111 to 116.

[0036] As illustrated in Fig. 3, each of the pipes D1a to D1c is provided with a sensor SE4. Each of the sensors SE4 is configured to measure the flow rate of the methane-containing gas sent through the pipes D1a to D1c by the gas sending units 32a to 32c. Data on the flow rate measured by each of the sensors SE4 is sent to the controller Ctr.

[0037] The air supply unit 34 operates based on an instruction signal from the controller Ctr and is configured to supply cooling gas (e.g., air) through the pipe D2 to the cement clinker MT4 in the clinker cooler 100. The air supply unit 34 may include a plurality of air supply units 34a to 34e, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

[0038] 2 and 3, the air supply unit 34a is configured to supply cooling gas to the air chamber 111 through the pipe D2a. The downstream end of the pipe D1a is connected to the pipe D2a. Therefore, the cooling gas supplied by the air supply unit 34a and the methane-containing gas supplied by the air supply unit 32a are mixed at the junction of the pipes D1a and D2a to form a mixed gas, which is then blown into the air chamber 111. The mixed gas flows into the clinker cooler 100 through a plurality of through-holes (cooling holes) provided in the grate plate 106 located above the air chamber 111 and through gaps between the fixed grate and the movable grate of the grate plate 106 located above the air chamber 111, and cools the cement clinker MT4 on the grate plate 106.

[0039] The air supply unit 34b is configured to supply cooling gas to the air chamber 112 through piping D2b. The downstream end of piping D1b is connected to piping D2b. Therefore, the cooling gas supplied by the air supply unit 34b and the methane-containing gas supplied by the air supply unit 32b are mixed at the junction of piping D1b and piping D2b to form a mixed gas, which is then blown into the air chamber 112. The mixed gas flows into the clinker cooler 100 through a plurality of through-holes (cooling holes) provided in the grate plate 106 located above the air chamber 112 and through gaps between the fixed grate and movable grate of the grate plate 106 located above the air chamber 112, and cools the cement clinker MT4 on the grate plate 106.

[0040] The air supply unit 34c is configured to supply cooling gas to the air chamber 113 through the pipe D2c. The downstream end of the pipe D1c is connected to the pipe D2c. Therefore, the cooling gas supplied by the air supply unit 34c and the methane-containing gas supplied by the air supply unit 32c are mixed at the junction of the pipes D1c and D2c to form a mixed gas, which is then blown into the air chamber 112. The mixed gas flows into the clinker cooler 100 through a plurality of through-holes (cooling holes) provided in the grate plate 106 located above the air chamber 113 and through gaps between the fixed grate and the movable grate of the grate plate 106 located above the air chamber 113, and cools the cement clinker MT4 on the grate plate 106.

[0041] The air supply unit 34d is configured to supply cooling gas through the pipe D2d to the air chamber 114. The cooling gas flows into the clinker cooler 100 through a plurality of through-holes (cooling holes) provided in the grate plate 106 located above the air chamber 114 and through gaps between the fixed grate and the movable grate of the grate plate 106 located above the air chamber 114, and cools the cement clinker MT4 on the grate plate 106.

[0042] The air supply unit 34e is configured to supply cooling gas to the air chambers 115, 116 through the piping D2e. The cooling gas flows into the clinker cooler 100 through a plurality of through-holes (cooling holes) provided in the grate plate 106 located above the air chambers 115, 116 and through gaps between the fixed grate and the movable grate of the grate plate 106 located above the air chambers 115, 116, and cools the cement clinker MT4 on the grate plate 106. Note that cooling gas may be supplied to each of the air chambers 115, 116 independently.

[0043] 3, each of the pipes D2a to D2c is provided with a sensor SE5. Each of the sensors SE5 is configured to measure the flow rate of the cooling gas sent through the pipes D2a to D2c by the gas sending units 34a to 34c. Data on the flow rate measured by each of the sensors SE5 is sent to the controller Ctr.

[0044] 4, the controller Ctr has a reading unit M1, a memory unit M2, a processing unit M3, and an instruction unit M4 as functional modules. These functional modules are merely a division of the functions of the controller Ctr into a plurality of modules for convenience, and do not necessarily mean that the hardware constituting the controller Ctr is divided into such modules. Each functional module is not limited to being realized by the execution of a program, but may also be realized by a dedicated electric circuit (for example, a logic circuit) or an integrated circuit (ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit) that integrates such circuits.

[0045] The reading unit M1 is configured to read a program from a computer-readable recording medium RM. The recording medium RM stores a program for operating each part of the clinker production facility 1. The recording medium RM may be, for example, a semiconductor memory, an optical recording disk, a magnetic recording disk, or a magneto-optical recording disk. In the following description, each part of the clinker production facility 1 may include the air sending units 32, 34 and the induced draft fan 36.

[0046] The memory unit M2 is configured to store various data. For example, the memory unit M2 may store a program read from the recording medium RM by the reader M1, setting data input by an operator via an external input device (not shown), etc. The memory unit M2 may store temperature data measured by the sensors SE1 to SE3, flow velocity data measured by the sensors SE4 and SE5, etc.

[0047] The processing unit M3 is configured to process various data. For example, the processing unit M3 may generate instruction signals for operating each part of the clinker manufacturing equipment 1 based on the various data stored in the memory unit M2.

[0048] The instruction unit M4 is configured to transmit the instruction signal generated in the processing unit M3 to each unit of the clinker production facility 1.

[0049] The hardware of the controller Ctr may be configured, for example, by one or more control computers. As shown in Fig. 5, the controller Ctr may include a circuit C1 as a hardware configuration. The circuit C1 may be configured by electric circuit elements. The circuit C1 may include, for example, a processor C2, a memory C3, a storage C4, a driver C5, and an input / output port C6.

[0050] The processor C2 may be configured to execute a program in cooperation with at least one of the memory C3 and the storage C4 and to input and output signals via the input / output port C6, thereby realizing each of the above-mentioned functional modules. The memory C3 and the storage C4 may function as the storage unit M2. The driver C5 may be a circuit configured to drive each of the components of the clinker manufacturing equipment 1. The input / output port C6 may be configured to mediate the input and output of signals between the driver C5 and each of the components of the clinker manufacturing equipment 1.

[0051] The clinker manufacturing plant 1 may include one controller Ctr, or may include a controller group (controller) composed of multiple controllers Ctr. When the clinker manufacturing plant 1 includes a controller group, each of the above-mentioned functional modules may be realized by one controller Ctr, or may be realized by a combination of two or more controllers Ctr. When the controller Ctr is composed of multiple computers (circuits C1), each of the above-mentioned functional modules may be realized by one computer (circuit C1), or may be realized by a combination of two or more computers (circuits C1). The controller Ctr may have multiple processors C2. In this case, each of the above-mentioned functional modules may be realized by one processor C2, or may be realized by a combination of two or more processors C2.

[0052] [Control method for clinker manufacturing equipment] Next, a control method for the clinker production facility 1 (a method for producing cement clinker MT4) will be described.

[0053] First, as illustrated in FIG. 1, granular raw material MT3 pulverized by a pulverizer 14 is supplied to SP 18 and preheated to form preheated raw material. Next, the preheated raw material is supplied to a calciner 18b, where fuel is combusted to calcinate the preheated raw material. Next, the calcined preheated raw material is supplied to a kiln 20 and fired to produce cement clinker MT4. Next, the cement clinker MT4 produced in the kiln 20 is sequentially discharged to a clinker cooler 100, and a cooling gas is supplied to the clinker cooler 100 by an air supply unit 34, whereby the cement clinker MT4 is cooled by the cooling gas. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, a methane-containing gas is also supplied to the upstream space V1 of the clinker cooler 100 by an air supply unit 32.

[0054] The methane in the mixed gas ignites at approximately 645°C. Therefore, when the mixed gas is supplied to the clinker cooler 100 through the air chambers 111-113, the methane is combusted by the heat of the cement clinker MT4. The gas supplied to the upstream space V1 of the clinker cooler 100 tends to flow toward the inlet 102, while the gas supplied to the downstream space V2 of the clinker cooler 100 tends to flow toward the discharge section 103. Therefore, the combusted gas is introduced into the kiln 20 through the inlet 102 and the front section 20d and used as thermal energy for burning the cement clinker MT4 in the kiln 20. The combusted gas is also introduced into the calciner 18b through the main body 101 and the supply path 104 and used as thermal energy for calcining the granular raw material MT3 in the calciner 18b.

[0055] Here, the controller Ctr may control the air supply unit 32 that supplies the cooling gas to the upstream space V1 and the air supply unit 34 that supplies the methane-containing gas to the upstream space V1 as follows: The air supply units 32a and 34a that supply the cooling gas and the methane-containing gas to the air chamber 111, respectively, the air supply units 32b and 34b that supply the cooling gas and the methane-containing gas to the air chamber 112, respectively, and the air supply units 32c and 34c that supply the cooling gas and the methane-containing gas to the air chamber 113, respectively, may be controlled independently. Therefore, hereinafter, the control of the air supply units 32a and 34a will be described with reference to FIG. 3, and a description of the control of the air supply units 32b and 34b and the air supply units 32c and 34c will be omitted.

[0056] First control The controller Ctr receives from the sensor SE4 the flow rate F1 of the methane-containing gas sent through the pipe D1a by the gas sending unit 32a, and receives from the sensor SE5 the flow rate F2 of the cooling gas sent through the pipe D2a by the gas sending unit 34a. The controller Ctr calculates the sum (F1+F2) of these flow rates F1 and F2, and feedback-controls the gas sending units 32a and 34a so that this sum falls within a predetermined set range. In addition, the controller Ctr uses the flow rates F1 and F2 received from the sensors SE4 and SE5 to calculate the methane addition rate defined by the following equation 1, and feedback-controls the gas sending units 32a and 34a so that the methane addition rate falls within a predetermined set range. Methane addition rate = F2 / (F1+F2) × 100 Equation 1

[0057] Secondary control As in the first control, the controller Ctr feedback-controls the gas sending units 32a and 34a so that the total value (F1+F2) of the flow rates F1 and F2 falls within a predetermined set range. In addition, when the controller Ctr receives the temperature of the gas flowing from the inlet unit 102 to the front part 20d from the sensor SE1, it feedback-controls the gas sending units 32a and 34a so that the temperature falls within a predetermined set range.

[0058] Third control As in the first control, the controller Ctr feedback-controls the gas sending units 32a and 34a so that the total value (F1+F2) of the flow rates F1 and F2 falls within a predetermined set range. In addition, when the controller Ctr receives the temperature of the gas flowing from the main body 101 to the supply path 104 from the sensor SE2, it feedback-controls the gas sending units 32a and 34a so that the temperature falls within a predetermined set range.

[0059] Fourth Control When the controller Ctr receives the temperature of the grate plate 106 from the sensor SE3, it determines whether the temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (for example, about 350°C). If the controller Ctr determines that the temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, it stops the operation of the air supply unit 32a. On the other hand, if the controller Ctr determines that the temperature is lower than the predetermined value, it continues the operation of the air supply unit 32a.

[0060] [Effect] According to the above example, when cooling gas is supplied to the clinker cooler 100 by the air supply section 34, the cooling gas is heated through heat exchange with the cement clinker MT4. Of the cooling gas that has reached a high temperature after heat exchange, the gas downstream of half the length of the clinker cooler 100 (toward the discharge section 103) tends to be exhausted from the discharge section 103. On the other hand, of the cooling gas that has reached a high temperature through heat exchange with the cement clinker MT4, the gas upstream of half the length of the clinker cooler (toward the end wall 102a), i.e., the gas in the upstream space V1, tends to be further heated by the combustion of methane in the methane-containing gas supplied to the upstream space V1, and is introduced into the kiln 20 from the front section 20d of the kiln 20. Therefore, the cooling gas that has been further heated by the combustion of methane is used to burn the cement raw materials in the kiln 20. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of fuel used to burn the cement raw materials.

[0061] According to the above example, the gas in the upstream space V1 can be supplied to the calciner 18b through the supply path 104. In this case, the gas in the upstream space V1 among the cooling gases heated to a high temperature through heat exchange with the cement clinker MT4 is further heated by combustion of methane in the methane-containing gas supplied to the upstream space V1, and is introduced into the calciner 18b through the supply path 104. Therefore, the cooling gas further heated by combustion of methane is used to calcinate the cement raw materials in the calciner 18b. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of fuel used to calcinate the cement raw materials.

[0062] According to the above example, the upstream space V1 can be the space between the end wall 102a and the position where the supply path 104 is connected to the clinker cooler 100. In this case, the cooling gas in the upstream space V1, which has been heated to a high temperature by heat exchange with the cement clinker MT4, can be further heated by combustion of methane in the methane-containing gas supplied to the upstream space V1 and can be effectively introduced into the kiln 20 and the calciner 18b. Therefore, the cooling gas further heated by combustion of methane is used to burn the cement raw materials in the kiln 20 and to calcinate the cement raw materials in the calciner 18b. This makes it possible to further reduce the amount of fuel used to burn and calcinate the cement raw materials.

[0063] According to the above example, the upstream space V1 can be the space between the end wall 102a and a position 30% of the total length of the clinker cooler 100 from the end wall 102a toward the discharge section 103. In this case, the gas in the upstream space V1, which is among the cooling gases heated to a high temperature by heat exchange with the cement clinker MT4, is further heated by the combustion of methane in the methane-containing gas supplied to the upstream space V1, and tends to be more easily introduced into the kiln 20 from the front section 20d of the kiln 20. Therefore, the cooling gas further heated by the combustion of methane is effectively used to burn the cement raw materials in the kiln 20. This makes it possible to further reduce the amount of fuel used to burn the cement raw materials.

[0064] According to the first to third controls, the controller Ctr can be configured to control the gas sending units 32, 34 so that the total flow rate (F1+F2) of the flow rate F1 of the cooling gas supplied by the gas sending unit 34 and the flow rate F2 of the methane-containing gas supplied by the gas sending unit 32 falls within a predetermined setting range. In this case, the total flow rate (F1+F2) of the gases supplied to the cement clinker MT4 is approximately constant. Therefore, even if the volume (thickness) of the clinker transported on the grate plate increases or decreases, the temperature of the upstream space V1 can be controlled by adjusting the total flow rate (F1+F2). This makes it possible to suppress uneven cooling and quality variations of the cement clinker MT4.

[0065] According to the first control, the controller Ctr can be configured to control the gas sending units 32, 34 so that the methane addition rate falls within a predetermined range. In this case, the methane addition rate to the clinker cooler 100 is substantially constant, and therefore the combustion of methane in the clinker cooler 100 is also substantially constant. This prevents the temperature in the upstream space V1 from becoming excessively high or low. This allows the cement raw materials to be appropriately fired in the kiln 20 using the cooling gas heated by the combustion of methane, while promoting appropriate cooling of the cement clinker MT4 by the clinker cooler 100.

[0066] According to the second and third controls, the controller Ctr can be configured to control the gas sending units 32, 34 so that the temperature of the gas in the upstream space V1 (the temperature of the gas flowing from the inlet unit 102 to the front unit 20d, or the temperature of the gas flowing from the main body unit 101 to the supply path 104) is within a predetermined set range. In this case, the temperature of the gas in the upstream space V1 heated by the combustion of methane in the clinker cooler 100 becomes approximately constant. This prevents the temperature of the upstream space V1 from becoming excessively high or low. This makes it possible to properly cool the cement clinker MT4 by the clinker cooler 100, while also properly firing the cement raw materials in the kiln 20 using the cooling gas heated by the combustion of methane.

[0067] According to the fourth control, the controller Ctr can be configured to stop the operation of the gas supply unit 32 when it determines that the temperature of the grate plate 106 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. In this case, the supply of the methane-containing gas is stopped before the temperature of the grate plate exceeds the heat-resistant temperature due to the combustion of methane. Therefore, damage to the grate plate 106 can be suppressed.

[0068] [Variations] The disclosure in this specification should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. Various omissions, substitutions, modifications, etc. may be made to the above examples without departing from the scope and spirit of the claims.

[0069] (1) As illustrated in Fig. 6, the clinker cooler 100 may include a sensor SE6. The sensor SE6 is a pressure sensor configured to measure the pressure in the air chamber 110. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6, the controller Ctr may control the air sending units 32, 34 as follows. Note that, below, the control of the air sending units 32a, 34a will be described, and the control of the air sending units 32b, 34b and the air sending units 32c, 34c will not be described.

[0070] 5th Control When the controller Ctr receives the pressure in the air chamber 111 from the sensor SE6, it controls the air supply unit 34a so that the flow rate F1 of the cooling gas supplied by the air supply unit 34a corresponds to the pressure. For example, when the pressure in the air chamber 111 is relatively high, the controller Ctr controls the air supply unit 34a so that the flow rate F1 is large. On the other hand, when the pressure in the air chamber 111 is relatively low, the controller Ctr controls the air supply unit 34a so that the flow rate F1 is small. In addition, the controller Ctr calculates the methane addition rate defined by Equation 1 above using the flow rates F1 and F2 received from the sensors SE4 and SE5, and feedback-controls the air supply units 32a and 34a so that the methane addition rate falls within a predetermined setting range.

[0071] 6th Control As in the fifth control, the controller Ctr controls the air supply unit 34a so that the flow rate F1 of the cooling gas supplied by the air supply unit 34a corresponds to the pressure in the air chamber 111 received from the sensor SE6. In addition, when the controller Ctr receives from the sensor SE1 the temperature of the gas flowing from the inlet 102 to the front part 20d, it feedback-controls the air supply units 32a and 34a so that the temperature falls within a predetermined set range.

[0072] Seventh Control As in the fifth control, the controller Ctr controls the air supply unit 34a so that the flow rate F1 of the cooling gas supplied by the air supply unit 34a corresponds to the pressure in the air chamber 111 received from the sensor SE6. In addition, when the controller Ctr receives the temperature of the gas flowing from the main body 101 to the supply path 104 from the sensor SE2, it feedback-controls the air supply units 32a and 34a so that the temperature falls within a predetermined set range.

[0073] 8th Control As in the fourth control, the controller Ctr determines whether the temperature of the grate plate 106 received from the sensor SE3 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and if it determines that the temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, it stops the operation of the air supply unit 32a. On the other hand, if it determines that the temperature is lower than the predetermined value, it continues the operation of the air supply unit 32a.

[0074] According to the fifth to seventh controls, the controller Ctr can be configured to control the air supply unit 34 so that the flow rate F1 of the cooling gas supplied by the air supply unit 34 corresponds to the pressure in the air chamber 111 received from the sensor SE6. In this case, even if the pressure loss of the cooling gas supplied to the cement clinker MT4 increases or decreases as the volume (thickness) of the cement clinker MT4 conveyed on the grate plate 106 increases or decreases, the flow rate F1 of the cooling gas increases or decreases in accordance with this increase or decrease. Therefore, the cement clinker MT4 is cooled approximately evenly by the cooling gas, making it possible to suppress uneven cooling and quality variation of the cement clinker MT4.

[0075] According to the fifth to seventh controls, as with the first to third controls, it is possible to promote proper cooling of the cement clinker MT4 by the clinker cooler 100, while properly burning the cement raw materials in the kiln 20 using cooling gas heated by the combustion of methane.

[0076] According to the eighth control, damage to the grate plate 106 can be suppressed, similar to the fourth control.

[0077] (2) The thickness of the cement clinker MT4 tends to be thicker at the inlet 102 where the cement clinker MT4 is introduced. Therefore, the flow rate F1 of the cooling gas supplied to the air chamber 110 located more upstream may be set to be larger.

[0078] (3) The gas sending section 32 may be configured to supply methane or a methane-containing gas generated in a process separate from the clinker production facility 1 to the upstream space V1 of the clinker cooler 100.

[0079] (4) The air supply unit 32 may be configured to supply the methane-containing gas directly to the air chamber 110 without supplying it to the pipe D2. Alternatively, as illustrated in Fig. 7, the air supply unit 32 may be configured to supply the methane-containing gas directly to the upstream space V1 of the clinker cooler 100. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 7, the controller Ctr may control the air supply units 32, 34 as follows. Note that, below, the control of the air supply units 32a, 34a will be described, and a description of the control of the air supply units 32b, 34b and the air supply units 32c, 34c will be omitted.

[0080] 9th Control The controller Ctr receives from the sensor SE5 the flow rate F2 of the cooling gas sent through the pipe D2a by the gas sending unit 34a. The controller Ctr feedback-controls the gas sending unit 34a so that the flow rate F2 falls within a predetermined set range. In addition, when the controller Ctr receives from the sensor SE1 the temperature of the gas flowing from the inlet 102 to the front part 20d, it feedback-controls the gas sending unit 32a so that the temperature falls within a predetermined set range.

[0081] 10th Control The controller Ctr receives from the sensor SE5 the flow rate F2 of the cooling gas sent through the pipe D2a by the gas sending unit 34a. The controller Ctr feedback-controls the gas sending unit 34a so that the flow rate F2 falls within a predetermined set range. In addition, when the controller Ctr receives from the sensor SE2 the temperature of the gas flowing from the main body 101 to the supply path 104, it feedback-controls the gas sending unit 32a so that the temperature falls within a predetermined set range.

[0082] 11th Control When the controller Ctr receives the pressure in the air chamber 111 from the sensor SE6, it controls the air supply unit 34a so that the flow rate F1 of the cooling gas supplied by the air supply unit 34a corresponds to the pressure. In addition, when the controller Ctr receives the temperature of the gas flowing from the inlet 102 to the front part 20d from the sensor SE1, it feedback-controls the air supply unit 32a so that the temperature falls within a predetermined set range.

[0083] 12th Control When the controller Ctr receives the pressure in the air chamber 111 from the sensor SE6, it controls the air supply unit 34a so that the flow rate F1 of the cooling gas supplied by the air supply unit 34a corresponds to the pressure. In addition, when the controller Ctr receives the temperature of the gas flowing from the main body 101 to the supply path 104 from the sensor SE2, it feedback-controls the air supply unit 32a so that the temperature falls within a predetermined set range.

[0084] (5) The first to twelfth controls may be manually performed by an operator by checking the values measured by the sensors SE1 to SE6 and adjusting the amount of air sent by the air sending units 32 and .

[0085] [Other examples] Example 1. An example of a clinker production facility includes a kiln configured to produce clinker by burning cement raw materials through the combustion of fuel, a clinker cooler configured to cool the clinker discharged from the kiln, a supply unit configured to supply a methane-containing gas to an upstream space in the clinker cooler, and a cooling unit configured to supply cooling gas to the clinker in the clinker cooler. The kiln includes an upstream end where the cement raw materials are input and a downstream end where the produced clinker is discharged. The clinker cooler includes an end wall connected to the downstream end of the kiln and a discharge unit where the cooled clinker is discharged. The upstream space is the space between the end wall and a position 50% of the total length of the clinker cooler from the end wall toward the discharge unit. In this case, when the cooling gas is supplied to the clinker cooler by the cooling unit, the cooling gas is heated by heat exchange with the clinker. Of the cooling gases that have reached a high temperature after heat exchange, those downstream of half the length of the clinker cooler (toward the discharge section) tend to be exhausted from the discharge section. On the other hand, of the cooling gases that have reached a high temperature through heat exchange with the clinker, those upstream of half the length of the clinker cooler (toward the end wall), i.e., the upstream space, tend to be further heated by the combustion of methane in the methane-containing gas supplied to the upstream space and introduced into the kiln from the downstream end of the kiln. Therefore, the cooling gas that has been further heated by the combustion of methane is used to burn the cement raw materials in the kiln. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of fuel used to burn the cement raw materials.

[0086] Example 2: The equipment of Example 1 may further include a calciner configured to calcinate the cement raw materials to be supplied to the kiln, and a supply passage connecting the clinker cooler and the calciner and configured to supply gas in the upstream space to the calciner. In this case, the gas in the upstream space, which has been heated to a high temperature by heat exchange with the clinker, is further heated by combustion of methane in the methane-containing gas supplied to the upstream space and introduced into the calciner through the supply passage. Therefore, the cooling gas further heated by combustion of methane is used to calcinate the cement raw materials in the calciner. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of fuel used to calcinate the cement raw materials.

[0087] Example 3: In the equipment of Example 2, the upstream space may be the space between the end wall and the position where the supply line connects to the clinker cooler. In this case, the cooling gas in the upstream space, which has been heated by heat exchange with the clinker, can be further heated by combustion of methane in the methane-containing gas supplied to the upstream space and effectively introduced into the kiln and the calciner. Therefore, the cooling gas further heated by combustion of methane is used to burn the cement raw materials in the kiln and to calcine the cement raw materials in the calciner. This makes it possible to further reduce the amount of fuel used to burn and calcine the cement raw materials.

[0088] Example 4 In the equipment of any of Examples 1 to 3, the clinker cooler may include a plurality of air chambers arranged from the end wall toward the discharge section, and the supply section may be configured to supply methane-containing gas to at least one air chamber included in the upstream space among the plurality of air chambers.

[0089] Example 5 In the equipment of any one of Examples 1 to 4, the supply unit may be configured to supply the methane-containing gas from the end wall of the clinker cooler to the upstream space.

[0090] Example 6: In any of the equipment of Examples 1 to 5, the upstream space may be the space between the end wall and a position 30% of the total length of the clinker cooler from the end wall toward the discharge section. In this case, the gas in the upstream space, which has been heated to a high temperature by heat exchange with the clinker, is further heated by combustion of methane in the methane-containing gas supplied to the upstream space, and tends to be more easily introduced into the kiln from the downstream end of the kiln. Therefore, the cooling gas further heated by combustion of methane is effectively used to burn the cement raw materials in the kiln. This makes it possible to further reduce the amount of fuel used to burn the cement raw materials.

[0091] Example 7. The equipment of any of Examples 1 to 6 may further include a control unit. The clinker cooler may include a grate plate configured to transport clinker from the end wall toward the discharge unit. The cooling unit may be configured to supply cooling gas to the clinker on the grate plate from below the grate plate through the grate plate. The control unit may be configured to control the supply unit and the cooling unit so that the total flow rate of the first flow rate of the cooling gas supplied by the cooling unit and the second flow rate of the methane-containing gas supplied by the supply unit is within a predetermined set range, and may be configured to control the supply unit and the cooling unit so that the ratio of the second flow rate to the total flow rate is within a predetermined set range or the temperature of the gas in the upstream space is within a predetermined set range. In Example 7, the total flow rate of the gas supplied to the clinker is approximately constant. Therefore, even if the volume (thickness) of the clinker transported on the grate plate increases or decreases, the temperature of the upstream space V1 is controlled by adjusting the total flow rate. This makes it possible to suppress uneven cooling of the clinker and variations in quality. In addition, in Example 7, the ratio of the second flow rate to the total flow rate (the ratio of addition of methane-containing gas) or the temperature of the gas in the upstream space is approximately constant. In the former case, the ratio of addition of methane-containing gas is approximately constant, so that the combustion of methane in the clinker cooler is also approximately constant. In the latter case, the temperature of the gas in the upstream space heated by the combustion of methane in the clinker cooler is approximately constant. Therefore, the temperature of the upstream space is prevented from becoming excessively high or low. Therefore, it is possible to properly cool the clinker by the clinker cooler, while properly firing the cement raw materials in the kiln using the cooling gas heated by the combustion of methane.

[0092] Example 8. The equipment of any of Examples 1 to 6 may further include a control unit. The clinker cooler may include a grate plate configured to transport clinker from the end wall toward the discharge unit. The cooling unit may be configured to supply cooling gas to the clinker on the grate plate from below the grate plate through the grate plate. The control unit may be configured to control the cooling unit to adjust a first flow rate of the cooling gas supplied by the cooling unit in accordance with the pressure below the grate plate, and to control the supply unit and the cooling unit so that a ratio of the second flow rate to a total flow rate of the first flow rate and a second flow rate of the methane-containing gas supplied by the supply unit falls within a predetermined set range, or so that the temperature of the gas in the upstream space falls within a predetermined set range. In Example 8, the first flow rate is adjusted in accordance with the pressure below the grate plate. Therefore, even if the pressure loss of the cooling gas supplied to the clinker increases or decreases as the volume (thickness) of the clinker transported on the grate plate increases or decreases, the flow rate of the cooling gas is increased or decreased accordingly. Therefore, the clinker is cooled substantially evenly by the cooling gas, thereby suppressing uneven cooling and quality variations of the clinker. Furthermore, in Example 8, the ratio of the second flow rate to the total flow rate (the ratio of methane-containing gas added) or the temperature of the gas in the upstream space is substantially constant. In the former case, the ratio of methane-containing gas added is substantially constant, so that the combustion of methane in the clinker cooler is also substantially constant. In the latter case, the temperature of the gas in the upstream space heated by the combustion of methane in the clinker cooler is substantially constant. Therefore, the temperature of the upstream space is prevented from becoming excessively high or low. Therefore, it is possible to promote proper cooling of the clinker by the clinker cooler, while properly firing the cement raw materials in the kiln using the cooling gas heated by the combustion of methane.

[0093] Example 9: In the equipment of Example 7, the control unit may be configured to control the supply unit to stop the supply of methane-containing gas by the supply unit when the temperature of the grate plate reaches or exceeds a predetermined value. In this case, the supply of methane-containing gas is stopped before the temperature of the grate plate exceeds the heat-resistant temperature due to combustion of methane. Therefore, damage to the grate plate can be suppressed.

[0094] Example 10: In the equipment of Example 8, the control unit may be configured to control the supply unit to stop the supply of methane-containing gas by the supply unit when the temperature of the grate plate reaches or exceeds a predetermined value. In this case, the same effects as those of the equipment of Example 9 can be obtained.

[0095] Example 11: The equipment of any of Examples 1 to 10 may further include a methane generation unit configured to generate a methane-containing gas from carbon dioxide generated in the kiln and hydrogen. The supply unit may be configured to supply the methane-containing gas generated in the methane generation unit to the upstream space. In this case, the methane-containing gas is generated using the carbon dioxide generated in the kiln, making it possible to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas.

[0096] Example 12 In the equipment of any one of Examples 1 to 11, the methane concentration of the methane-containing gas may be 4.9% by volume to 15.4% by volume.

[0097] Example 13. One example of a clinker production method includes: in a kiln having an upstream end where cement raw materials are charged and a downstream end, burning fuel to produce clinker and discharging the clinker from the downstream end; in a clinker cooler having an end wall connected to the downstream end of the kiln and a discharge section, supplying cooling gas to the clinker discharged from the kiln by a cooling section, discharging the cooled clinker from the discharge section; and supplying methane-containing gas to an upstream space in the clinker cooler by a supply section. The upstream space is the space between the end wall and a position 50% of the total length of the clinker cooler from the end wall toward the discharge section. In this case, the same effects as those of the equipment in Example 1 can be obtained.

[0098] Example 14: In the method of Example 13, the upstream space may be a space between the end wall and a position 30% of the total length of the clinker cooler from the end wall toward the discharge section. In this case, the same effects as those of the equipment of Example 6 can be obtained.

[0099] Example 15 In the method of Example 13 or Example 14, cooling the clinker may include supplying a cooling gas to the clinker by a cooling unit through a grate plate configured to transport the clinker from the end wall toward the discharge unit in the clinker cooler from below the grate plate. Supplying the methane-containing gas to the upstream space may include supplying the cooling gas and the methane-containing gas so that the total flow rate of a first flow rate of the cooling gas supplied by the cooling unit and a second flow rate of the methane-containing gas supplied by the supply unit is within a predetermined set range, and supplying the cooling gas and the methane-containing gas so that the ratio of the second flow rate to the total flow rate is within a predetermined set range or the temperature of the gas in the upstream space is within a predetermined set range. In this case, the same effects as those of the equipment of Example 7 can be obtained.

[0100] Example 16 In the method of Example 13 or Example 14, cooling the clinker may include supplying a cooling gas to the clinker by a cooler through a grate plate configured to transport the clinker from the end wall toward the discharge section within the clinker cooler from below the grate plate. Supplying the methane-containing gas to the upstream space may include adjusting a first flow rate of the cooling gas supplied by the cooler in accordance with the pressure below the grate plate, and supplying the cooling gas and the methane-containing gas so that a ratio of the second flow rate to a total flow rate of the first flow rate and a second flow rate of the methane-containing gas supplied by the supply unit falls within a predetermined set range, or so that the temperature of the gas in the upstream space falls within a predetermined set range. In this case, the same effects as those of the equipment of Example 8 can be obtained.

[0101] Example 17: The method of Example 15 may further include stopping the supply of methane-containing gas by the supply unit when the temperature of the grate plate reaches or exceeds a predetermined value. In this case, the same effects as those of the equipment of Example 9 can be obtained.

[0102] Example 18: The method of Example 16 may further include stopping the supply of methane-containing gas from the supply unit when the temperature of the grate plate reaches or exceeds a predetermined value. In this case, the same effects as those of the system of Example 10 can be obtained.

[0103] Example 19: In any of the methods of Examples 13 to 18, supplying the methane-containing gas to the upstream space by the supply unit may include supplying the methane-containing gas generated in the methane generation unit from carbon dioxide generated in the kiln and hydrogen to the upstream space. In this case, the same effects as those of the system of Example 11 can be obtained.

[0104] Example 20 In any of the methods of Examples 13 to 19, the methane concentration of the methane-containing gas may be 4.9 vol % to 15.4 vol %. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1...clinker manufacturing equipment, 18...SP, 18b...calciner, 20...kiln, 20b...kiln bottom (upstream end), 20d...front section (downstream end), 32, 32a to 32d...air supply section (supply section), 34...air supply section (cooling section), 100...clinker cooler, 102a...end wall, 104...supply channel, 106...grate plate, 110, 111 to 116...air chamber, 103...discharge section, Ctr...controller (control section), MT1...cement raw material, MT4...cement clinker, V1...upstream space.

Claims

1. a kiln configured to burn cement raw materials to produce clinker by burning a fuel; a clinker cooler configured to cool the clinker discharged from the kiln; a supply configured to supply a methane-containing gas to an upstream space within the clinker cooler; a cooling section configured to supply a cooling gas to the clinker in the clinker cooler; The kiln includes an upstream end where the cement raw materials are charged and a downstream end where the produced clinker is discharged, the clinker cooler includes an end wall connected to the downstream end of the kiln and a discharge section through which the cooled clinker is discharged; The clinker manufacturing facility, wherein the upstream space is a space between the end wall and a position 50% of the total length of the clinker cooler from the end wall toward the discharge portion.

2. a calciner configured to calcine the cement raw material to be supplied to the kiln; The facility according to claim 1 , further comprising: a supply passage connecting the clinker cooler and the calciner, the supply passage being configured to supply gas in the upstream space to the calciner.

3. 3. The installation of claim 2, wherein the upstream space is the space between the end wall and the location where the supply line connects to the clinker cooler.

4. The clinker cooler includes a plurality of air chambers aligned from the end wall toward the discharge portion, The facility according to claim 1 , wherein the supply unit is configured to supply the methane-containing gas to at least one air chamber included in the upstream space among the plurality of air chambers.

5. The installation of claim 1 , wherein the supply is configured to supply the methane-containing gas from the end wall of the clinker cooler to the upstream space.

6. The equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the upstream space is a space between the end wall and a position 30% of the total length of the clinker cooler from the end wall toward the discharge portion.

7. Further comprising a control unit, the clinker cooler includes a grate plate configured to convey the clinker from the end wall toward the discharge; the cooling unit is configured to supply cooling gas to the clinker on the grate plate from below the grate plate through the grate plate, The control unit the supply unit and the cooling unit are controlled so that a total flow rate of a first flow rate of the cooling gas supplied by the cooling unit and a second flow rate of the methane-containing gas supplied by the supply unit is within a predetermined set range; The equipment described in any one of claims 1 to 5, which is configured to control the supply unit and the cooling unit so that the ratio of the second flow rate to the total flow rate is within a predetermined set range, or the temperature of the gas in the upstream space is within a predetermined set range.

8. Further comprising a control unit, the clinker cooler includes a grate plate configured to convey the clinker from the end wall toward the discharge; the cooling unit is configured to supply cooling gas to the clinker on the grate plate from below the grate plate through the grate plate, The control unit configured to control the cooling section to adjust a first flow rate of the cooling gas supplied by the cooling section in response to a pressure below the grate plate; The facility according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the facility is configured to control the supply unit and the cooling unit so that a ratio of the second flow rate to a total flow rate of the first flow rate and the second flow rate of the methane-containing gas supplied by the supply unit is within a predetermined set range, or so that a temperature of the gas in the upstream space is within a predetermined set range.

9. 8. The facility according to claim 7, wherein the control unit is configured to control the supply unit to stop the supply of the methane-containing gas by the supply unit when the temperature of the grate plate becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value.

10. 9. The facility according to claim 8, wherein the control unit is configured to control the supply unit to stop the supply of the methane-containing gas by the supply unit when the temperature of the grate plate becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value.

11. Further provided is a methane generation unit configured to generate the methane-containing gas from carbon dioxide and hydrogen generated in the kiln, The facility according to claim 1 , wherein the supply unit is configured to supply the methane-containing gas produced in the methane production unit to the upstream space.

12. The facility according to claim 1, wherein the methane concentration of the methane-containing gas is 4.9% by volume to 15.4% by volume.

13. In a kiln including an upstream end into which cement raw materials are charged and a downstream end, the cement raw materials are fired by burning fuel to generate clinker, and the clinker is discharged from the downstream end; In a clinker cooler including an end wall connected to the downstream end of the kiln and a discharge section, cooling the clinker by supplying a cooling gas to the clinker discharged from the kiln using a cooling section; Discharging the cooled clinker from the discharge section; supplying a methane-containing gas to an upstream space in the clinker cooler by a supply unit; The clinker production method, wherein the upstream space is a space between the end wall and a position 50% of the total length of the clinker cooler from the end wall toward the discharge portion.

14. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the upstream space is the space between the end wall and a position 30% of the total length of the clinker cooler from the end wall toward the discharge.

15. cooling the clinker includes supplying the cooling gas to the clinker by the cooling section from below and through a grate plate configured to transport the clinker from the end wall toward the discharge section within the clinker cooler; Supplying the methane-containing gas to the upstream space includes: supplying the cooling gas and the methane-containing gas so that a total flow rate of a first flow rate of the cooling gas supplied by the cooling unit and a second flow rate of the methane-containing gas supplied by the supply unit falls within a predetermined set range; 15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, comprising supplying the cooling gas and the methane-containing gas so that a ratio of the second flow rate to the total flow rate is within a predetermined set range or a temperature of the gas in the upstream space is within a predetermined set range.

16. cooling the clinker includes supplying the cooling gas to the clinker by the cooling section from below and through a grate plate configured to transport the clinker from the end wall toward the discharge section within the clinker cooler; Supplying the methane-containing gas to the upstream space includes: adjusting a first flow rate of the cooling gas supplied by the cooling section in response to a pressure below the grate plate; 15. The method according to claim 13, comprising supplying the cooling gas and the methane-containing gas so that a ratio of the second flow rate to a total flow rate of the first flow rate and a second flow rate of the methane-containing gas supplied by the supply unit is within a predetermined set range, or a temperature of the gas in the upstream space is within a predetermined set range.

17. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising stopping the supply of the methane-containing gas by the supply unit when the temperature of the grate plate reaches or exceeds a predetermined value.

18. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: stopping the supply of the methane-containing gas by the supply unit when the temperature of the grate plate is at or above a predetermined value.

19. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein supplying the methane-containing gas to the upstream space by the supply unit includes supplying the methane-containing gas produced in a methane production unit from carbon dioxide produced in the kiln and hydrogen to the upstream space.

20. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the methane-containing gas has a methane concentration of 4.9% to 15.4% by volume.

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