Technology

Cool technology: Clinker cooler becomes even better

Published

13 years ago

May 31, 2012

admin

FLSmidth’s new Cross-Bar coolers offer benefits in terms of upfront investment, technical design and long-term cost of ownership. Torben Frigaard, FLSmidth, Denmark and K P Sathish Kumar, FLSmidth, India tell us about the latest development in cross-bar technology…FLSmidth launched its latest development in Cross-bar technology in 2011, setting yet another standard for clinker coolers called as the FLSmidth Cross-Bar cooler. The FLSmidth Cross-Bar is an evaluation of the design that grew out of feedback from having sold more than 230 Cross-Bar coolers representing a total installed capacity of about 300 million tonnes clinker per annum. The result is one of the most attractive cooler solutions available in the market – in terms of upfront investment, technical design and long-term cost of ownership. The FLSmidth Cross-Bar cooler replaces previous Cross-Bar cooler version to become FLSmidth’s one cooler offering for both new installations and upgrades.Benefits of the FLSmidth Cross-Bar coolerThe cooler uniquely provides a number of key benefits – something that no other cooler on the market today can fully demonstrate all at the same time??Consistently high thermal efficiency??High reliability and availability??Fast, low cost installation??Low, predictable maintenanceThe features that support above benefits are:??Separate clinker conveying and cooling systems – Crossbars effectively convey, mix and shear the clinker. Wear of crossbars has no effect on thermal efficiency of cooler.??A stationary, sealed grate line ensures no fall through and no requirement of undergrate clinker conveying system.??Self-adjusting mechanical flow regulators (MFRs) maintains constant air flow through air distribution plane and clinker bed without operator intervention results in stable cooler operation and high thermal efficiency.??Horizontal design with optimized transport method.??Modular concept:The FLSmidth Cross-Bar Cooler can be supplied for new coolers as well as to upgrade exiting coolers.Each unit measures 1.2 or 1.8 metres in width and 3.0 or 4.2 metres in length.Standard units are preassembled in workshop to ensure high quality and swift and simple installation.To form a whole cooler, a number of units are put together lengthwise and width wise and the movable frames are connected along the length of the cooler.??Cooler driveFast and low cost installation as hydraulic cylinders is integral to CB units.Each movable frame operated by two or four hydraulic chamber.No hydraulic components in first under grate chamber.Each drive has a separate motor and pump unit in closed loop system.Should one lane be taken out of operation, remaining movable frames can be kept in operation without stopping the cooler.??The cooler is erected on simple horizontal line foundation/support structure.??Access passagesFLSmidth Cross-Bar cooler has standard above-ground access passage across the cooler width which helps in monitoring under grate components during operation and provided outside access to the bearing lubrication points.??MaintenanceThe cooler has very few wear parts for easy and economical maintenance.Each cross-bar piece is installed with two wedges and pins and fully accessible from the over grate area and can be hand carried.The air distribution plate is two-piece design with the upper part removable and fully accessible from the over grate.??CrusherA standard at the outlet of the cooler, a heavy-duty roll breaker with modular frame design (HRB MF) efficiently breaks up the largest of lumps with its patented lower crushing roll arrangement and with minimal dust generation and noise.??ABC inletABC (Air Blast Controlled) fixed inlet gives an optimum start to the cooling process with a uniform clinker distribution, also eliminate the formation of "snowman".Through an internal check valve arrangement, high pressure air blaster air is allowed to eject through each and every gate plate to ensure there is no way for build-up and uneven distribution to occur across the inlet.Mechanical flow regulators for the normal cooling air, just like in the rest of the Cross-bar cooler, are still also maintained for every grate plate.Full flexibility in control of blasting area, blasting frequency and blasting intensity so that specific problem areas can be targetted.Retrofit possibilitiesWith its modular design, the FLSmidth Cross-Bar Cooler is flexible enough to enable complete or partial upgrades of most existing clinker coolers.Capitol retrofit case storyCapitol and FLSmidth have enjoyed a very close relationship, with virtually their entire San Antonio dry process plant run on FLSmidth equipment its start up more than 25 years ago. Despite their existing controlled flow grate cooler performing well, Capitol wanted to be prepared for a rebounding cement market once the recession loosened its grip in the US. So the FLSmidth Cross-Bar cooler was a natural first step towards greater capacity, while furthermore providing additional benefits such as higher thermal efficiency and lower maintenance. Within much of the existing casing, new cross-bar units were installed creating an eight-grate wide cooler rated for 2000t/d. The cooler has now been in operation for over 1? year and is in fact performing exceptionally well. There have been no unplanned kiln outage to date since the start-up, and the preliminary operational results are impressive with 20 per cent reduction in both standard cooler loss and fan power consumption.FLSmidth’s innovative and technological leadership is again demonstrated with the introduction of the new FLSmidth Cross-Bar cooler that seamlessly integrated into the rest of the pyroprocess.(Extracts from the proceeding of 12th NCB International Seminar on Cement and Building Materials held on 15-18 Nov ‘2011 at New Delhi)

Technology

ARAPL Reports 175% EBITDA Growth, Expands Global Robotics Footprint

Affordable Robotic & Automation posts strong Q2 and H1 FY26 results driven by innovation and overseas orders

Published

3 weeks ago

October 15, 2025

admin

Affordable Robotic & Automation Limited (ARAPL), India’s first listed robotics firm and a pioneer in industrial automation and smart robotic solutions, has reported robust financial results for the second quarter and half year ended September 30, 2025.
The company achieved a 175 per cent year-on-year rise in standalone EBITDA and strong revenue growth across its automation and robotics segments. The Board of Directors approved the unaudited financial results on October 10, 2025.

Key Highlights – Q2 FY2026
• Strong momentum across core automation and robotics divisions
• Secured the first order for the Atlas AC2000, an autonomous truck loading and unloading forklift, from a leading US logistics player
• Rebranded its RaaS product line as Humro (Human + Robot), symbolising collaborative automation between people and machines
• Expanded its Humro range in global warehouse automation markets
• Continued investment in deep-tech innovations, including AI-based route optimisation, autonomy kits, vehicle controllers, and digital twins
Global Milestone: First Atlas AC2000 Order in the US

ARAPL’s US-based subsidiary, ARAPL RaaS (Humro), received its first order for the next-generation Atlas AC2000 autonomous forklift from a leading logistics company. Following successful prototype trials, the client placed an order for two robots valued at Rs 36 million under a three-year lease. The project opens opportunities for scaling up to 15–16 robots per site across 15 US warehouses within two years.
The product addresses an untapped market of 10 million loading docks across 21,000 warehouses in the US, positioning ARAPL for exponential growth.

Financial Performance – Q2 FY2026 (Standalone)
Net Revenue: Rs 25.7587 million, up 37 per cent quarter-on-quarter
EBITDA: Rs 5.9632 million, up 396 per cent QoQ
Profit Before Tax: Rs 4.3808 million, compared to a Rs 360.46 lakh loss in Q1
Profit After Tax: Rs 4.1854 lakh, representing 216 per cent QoQ growth
On a half-year basis, ARAPL reported a 175 per cent rise in EBITDA and returned to profitability with Rs 58.08 lakh PAT, highlighting strong operational efficiency and improved contribution from core businesses.
Consolidated Performance – Q2 FY2026
Net Revenue: Rs 29.566 million, up 57% QoQ
EBITDA: Rs 6.2608 million, up 418 per cent QoQ
Profit After Tax: Rs 4.5672 million, marking a 224 per cent QoQ improvement

Milind Padole, Managing Director, ARAPL said, “Our Q2 results reflect the success of our innovation-led growth strategy and the growing global confidence in ARAPL’s technology. The Atlas AC2000 order marks a defining milestone that validates our engineering strength and accelerates our global expansion. With a healthy order book and continued investment in AI and autonomous systems, ARAPL is positioned to lead the next phase of intelligent industrial transformation.”
Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Pune, Affordable Robotic & Automation Ltd (ARAPL) delivers turnkey robotic and automation solutions across automotive, general manufacturing, and government sectors. Its offerings include robotic welding, automated inspection, assembly automation, automated parking systems, and autonomous driverless forklifts.
ARAPL operates five advanced plants in Pune spanning 350,000 sq ft, supported by over 400 engineers in India and seven team members in the US. The company also maintains facilities in North Carolina and California, and service centres in Faridabad, Mumbai, and San Francisco.

Technology

M.E. Energy Bags Rs 490 Mn Order for Waste Heat Recovery Project

Second major EPC contract from Ferro Alloys sector strengthens company’s growth

Published

3 weeks ago

October 15, 2025

admin

M.E. Energy Pvt Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kilburn Engineering Ltd and a leading Indian engineering company specialising in energy recovery and cost reduction, has secured its second consecutive major order worth Rs 490 million in the Ferro Alloys sector. The order covers the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) of a 12 MW Waste Heat Recovery Based Power Plant (WHRPP).

This repeat order underscores the Ferro Alloys industry’s confidence in M.E. Energy’s expertise in delivering efficient and sustainable energy solutions for high-temperature process industries. The project aims to enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions by converting waste heat into clean power.

“Securing another project in the Ferro Alloys segment reinforces our strong technical credibility. It’s a proud moment as we continue helping our clients achieve sustainability and cost efficiency through innovative waste heat recovery systems,” said K. Vijaysanker Kartha, Managing Director, M.E. Energy Pvt Ltd.

“M.E. Energy’s expansion into sectors such as cement and ferro alloys is yielding solid results. We remain confident of sustained success as we deepen our presence in steel and carbon black industries. These achievements reaffirm our focus on innovation, technology, and energy efficiency,” added Amritanshu Khaitan, Director, Kilburn Engineering Ltd

With this latest order, M.E. Energy has already surpassed its total external order bookings from the previous financial year, recording Rs 138 crore so far in FY26. The company anticipates further growth in the second half, supported by a robust project pipeline and the rising adoption of waste heat recovery technologies across industries.

The development marks continued momentum towards FY27, strengthening M.E. Energy’s position as a leading player in industrial energy optimisation.

Technology

NTPC Green Energy Partners with Japan’s ENEOS for Green Fuel Exports

NGEL signs MoU with ENEOS to supply green methanol and hydrogen derivatives

Published

3 weeks ago

October 15, 2025

admin

NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL), a subsidiary of NTPC Limited, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan’s ENEOS Corporation to explore a potential agreement for the supply of green methanol and hydrogen derivative products.

The MoU was exchanged on 10 October 2025 during the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. It marks a major step towards global collaboration in clean energy and decarbonisation.
The partnership centres on NGEL’s upcoming Green Hydrogen Hub at Pudimadaka in Andhra Pradesh. Spread across 1,200 acres, the integrated facility is being developed for large-scale green chemical production and exports.

By aligning ENEOS’s demand for hydrogen derivatives with NGEL’s renewable energy initiatives, the collaboration aims to accelerate low-carbon energy transitions. It also supports NGEL’s target of achieving a 60 GW renewable energy portfolio by 2032, reinforcing its commitment to India’s green energy ambitions and the global net-zero agenda.