ABB, EKZ GETEC and Jura Cement have signed an agreement to install an ABB system at the Wildegg AG cement plant, which generates power from waste heat.The advanced solution is based on ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle), a thermodynamic process that enables waste heat to be converted to ecologically sound electricity. Once the system is in operation, the plant energy costs at the Wildegg plant are reduced dramatically. Jura Cement will have to purchase about 20% less electricity. EKZ GETEC is financing the system.
ABB has the expertise required to integrate the power plant completely into the cement production process. The turnkey power station order includes design, project
management, delivery, installation and commissioning and is scheduled to be started up in November 2013.
Cement production is very energy intensive.The temperature in the kilns where the clinker is produced reaches 1,500°C. Although the waste heat from the cement process is largely reusable at this modern plant; for example, to dry raw materials, a substantial amount of low- temperature gas goes up the stack. ABB’s ORC power station is an integrated system that allows low-grade waste heat in industrial plants to be utilized efficiently. A business case can be made for utilizing stack gases hotter than 200°C to produce power. The generator ratings range from 500kW to the double-digit megawatt range.