Waste heat utilised threefold through innovative energy optimisation.

In the coming weeks, a special project in the field of waste heat utilisation will get underway. Using an innovative conceptual approach, previously unused waste heat is set to provide a threefold benefit.

As early as 2009, SCHWENK made significant investments to make optimal use of the waste heat generated during cement production in the rotary kiln. However, one-third of the thermal energy remained unused and, as of today, is released into the environment in the form of hot air. With the implementation of this project, the goal is now to recirculate even this final third of the thermal energy back into the system and thus put it to use.

This is made possible by the interaction of several plant components, consisting of a

1. ORC plant (Organic Rankine Cycle) for in-house electricity generation,
2. a drying plant for fuel derived from commercial and municipal waste
3. and a plate heat exchanger in the pump house for the generation of hot water

comprises. In this way, more than 8.5 million kWh of energy and over 13,200 tonnes of CO₂ can be saved annually.

The total project costs amount to 11.47 million euros, with SCHWENK having been awarded a grant of up to 3.971 million euros for the project in a competitive funding process under the “Federal Funding for Energy and Resource Efficiency in Industry” programme.

Thanks to this investment and the resulting reduction in exhaust air flow, we are saving on primary fuels.

The start of construction work is scheduled for the coming weeks. Completion of the project is planned for the first quarter of 2025.

We would like to thank all those involved for their support to date and in the future during project implementation, and we look forward to the further work steps as well as the start of commissioning in the coming spring.