Concrete

Our new technology is key to utilise max AFR percentage

Published

3 years ago

July 1, 2021

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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.

Concrete

Jefferies’ Optimism Fuels Cement Stock Rally

The industry is aiming price hikes of Rs 10-15 per bag in December.

Published

2 weeks ago

December 4, 2024

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Cement stocks surged over 5% on Monday, driven by Jefferies’ positive outlook on demand recovery, supported by increased government capital expenditure and favourable price trends.

JK Cement led the rally with a 5.3% jump, while UltraTech Cement rose 3.82%, making it the top performer on the Nifty 50. Dalmia Bharat and Grasim Industries gained over 3% each, with Shree Cement and Ambuja Cement adding 2.77% and 1.32%, respectively.

“Cement stocks have been consolidating without significant upward movement for over a year,” noted Vikas Jain, head of research at Reliance Securities. “The Jefferies report with positive price feedback prompted a revaluation of these stocks today.”

According to Jefferies, cement prices were stable in November, with earlier declines bottoming out. The industry is now targeting price hikes of Rs 10-15 per bag in December.

The brokerage highlighted moderate demand growth in October and November, with recovery expected to strengthen in the fourth quarter, supported by a revival in government infrastructure spending.
Analysts are optimistic about a stronger recovery in the latter half of FY25, driven by anticipated increases in government investments in infrastructure projects.
(ET)

Concrete

Steel Ministry Proposes 25% Safeguard Duty on Steel Imports

The duty aims to counter the impact of rising low-cost steel imports.

Published

2 weeks ago

December 4, 2024

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The Ministry of Steel has proposed a 25% safeguard duty on certain steel imports to address concerns raised by domestic producers. The proposal emerged during a meeting between Union Steel Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi, attended by senior officials and executives from leading steel companies like SAIL, Tata Steel, JSW Steel, and AMNS India.

Following the meeting, Goyal highlighted on X the importance of steel and metallurgical coke industries in India’s development, emphasising discussions on boosting production, improving quality, and enhancing global competitiveness. Kumaraswamy echoed the sentiment, pledging collaboration between ministries to create a business-friendly environment for domestic steelmakers.

The safeguard duty proposal aims to counter the impact of rising low-cost steel imports, particularly from free trade agreement (FTA) nations. Steel Secretary Sandeep Poundrik noted that 62% of steel imports currently enter at zero duty under FTAs, with imports rising to 5.51 million tonnes (MT) during April-September 2024-25, compared to 3.66 MT in the same period last year. Imports from China surged significantly, reaching 1.85 MT, up from 1.02 MT a year ago.

Industry experts, including think tank GTRI, have raised concerns about FTAs, highlighting cases where foreign producers partner with Indian firms to re-import steel at concessional rates. GTRI founder Ajay Srivastava also pointed to challenges like port delays and regulatory hurdles, which strain over 10,000 steel user units in India.

The government’s proposal reflects its commitment to supporting the domestic steel industry while addressing trade imbalances and promoting a self-reliant manufacturing sector.

(ET)

Concrete

India Imposes Anti-Dumping Duty on Solar Panel Aluminium Frames

Move boosts domestic aluminium industry, curbs low-cost imports

Published

2 weeks ago

December 4, 2024

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The Indian government has introduced anti-dumping duties on anodized aluminium frames for solar panels and modules imported from China, a move hailed by the Aluminium Association of India (AAI) as a significant step toward fostering a self-reliant aluminium sector.

The duties, effective for five years, aim to counter the influx of low-cost imports that have hindered domestic manufacturing. According to the Ministry of Finance, Chinese dumping has limited India’s ability to develop local production capabilities.

Ahead of Budget 2025, the aluminium industry has urged the government to introduce stronger trade protections. Key demands include raising import duties on primary and downstream aluminium products from 7.5% to 10% and imposing a uniform 7.5% duty on aluminium scrap to curb the influx of low-quality imports.

India’s heavy reliance on aluminium imports, which now account for 54% of the country’s demand, has resulted in an annual foreign exchange outflow of Rupees 562.91 billion. Scrap imports, doubling over the last decade, have surged to 1,825 KT in FY25, primarily sourced from China, the Middle East, the US, and the UK.

The AAI noted that while advanced economies like the US and China impose strict tariffs and restrictions to protect their aluminium industries, India has become the largest importer of aluminium scrap globally. This trend undermines local producers, who are urging robust measures to enhance the domestic aluminium ecosystem.

With India’s aluminium demand projected to reach 10 million tonnes by 2030, industry leaders emphasize the need for stronger policies to support local production and drive investments in capacity expansion. The anti-dumping duties on solar panel components, they say, are a vital first step in building a sustainable and competitive aluminium sector.