Fives Combustion Systems is a subsidiary of Fives Pillard. Fives Combustion Systems designs and installs process automation controls such as process burners, elevated flares, combustion chambers, and Pillard Fuel System. Vikas Damle of ICR had a conversation with Rahul Rajgor, MD ??India operations, Fives Combustion Systems.

What measures have you taken while designing this burner so that it is able to meet the requirements on NOx emissions and improvements in clinker quality?

Fives has always been ahead of its time regarding the development of kiln burners with low emissions. This time on the eve of a century in kiln burner solutions, we have prepared a special treat, combining all the feedback we received from our customers and our practical experience in the field and brought it to our R&D labs in France. Thanks to dedicated research, intense engineering and analysis, we have come up with a new champion in the form of the Pillard NOVAFLAM^? Evolution, to deliver unparalleled performance in terms of clinker quality, emissions reduction and reduced primary air delivery.

Our Pillard NOVAFLAM^? Evolution, which has just been launched, is already operational in over 40 locations around the globe and is showing fantastic results.

Pillard NOVAFLAM? Evolution, the latest innovation for the cement industry.

In India, more and more cement plants are starting to use alternate fuels (AFR). In that context, what type of burners are you offering to the Indian Industry? Will the same burner be suitable as the AFR percentage increases?

India is a booming market for the cement industry and one priority for Fives Combustion Systems. Indeed, it offers many opportunities for replacing old generation burners with new and more improved models, delivering more benefits to the customers, including efficient AFR firing capability. The cement industry has come to us with a challenge on alternative fuels substitution to pharma waste, liquid waste as a low CV, electronic waste, agro waste, etc. We understand that demand and have delivered on our challenge. The Pillard NOVAFLAM^? Evolution is the answer to utilise maximum alternative fuel percentage while maximising the clinker quality at the same time.

The Pillard NOVAFLAM^? Evolution burner enables the central injection of ASF by means of dedicated injectors, specially engineered to prevent the ??ouble flame??effect thus avoiding flying particles on the fire. The injection method is adapted according to the various ASF criteria such as density, moisture, size, combustion kinetics, etc. thus enabling us to custom design the ASF injector for each plant. Various arrangements of ASF injection are possible to achieve the best combustion, thermal efficiency and enhance higher ASF substitution.

What are the new innovations and patents being introduced in your Pillard NOVAFLAM^? Evolution kiln burner?

• To enhance thermal efficiency, we introduced the V type nozzle technology for axial and radial air impulse pattern.

• Introduction of replaceable insert tips: One can replace axial air injectors very easily enhancing operational flexibility (increase or decrease primary air flow by replacing insert tip) and the maintenance cost is lower than replacing a full tip.

• RST Swirler technology with better efficiency and adjustability from 0 to 45 degrees.

• Lower primary air flow (4 to 8 per cent)

• Introduction of an ??lternative fuel injection system??with an enhanced burning efficiency for solid fuel.

• Airless stabilizer with a reduced primary air requirement for cooling.

• Special alloyed heavy-duty burner tips with an Air Cooling arrangement resilient to heat expansion thus enhancing the burner lifespan.

• Introduction of 4.0 smart functions with an optimised monitoring of kiln burning activities.

  Does your factory in India manufactures burners in India or do you assemble it here?

In India, we do complete design, engineering, manufacturing and supply for all type of burners and control systems under Fives Pillard license and complying with Fives R&D guidelines.

We are a global manufacturing unit for a majority of burners products for various of the group Fives subsidiaries including Fives ITAS, Italy, Fives North American Combustion, USA and Fives Stein, France.

Our facility in Vadodara, Gujarat covers 1,25,000 square feet of area and is certified ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018.

Fives Combustion Systems primarily serves the cement, oil and gas, steel, aluminum and power industries. We operate at the upper crest of the technology of combustion solutions and have been at the forefront in providing premium equipment manufactured in India complying with international standards.

Our technological edge, an increase of global customer outreach and our renown expertise explain the success of our products. To achieve high standard quality and customer satisfaction, Fives Combustion Systems has streamlined the entire product manufacturing value chain, from R&D through production including customer delivery and support.