Current status of alternative fuel use in lime kilns

Abstract

Lime kilns consume large amounts of fossil fuels. Because of the steady rise in natural gas and fuel oil costs in recent years, mills need to find more economical fuel alternatives that have minimal impacts on lime kiln and chemical recovery operations. This paper examines the technical feasibility of various alternative fuels, including petroleum coke, directly fired or gasified wood residues, precipitated lignin, bio-oil, and olein biofuel. Because each fuel has a different composition, heating value, and burning characteristics, it is important to understand the pros and cons of burning each fuel before using it in the lime kiln.