Alkali, sulfur and chlorine compounds (hereafter called circulating or volatile elements see

Fig. 1) in raw materials and fuels utilized for the cement manufacture, when present in high
concentrations often give rise to difficulties in kiln operation with build-up formation in the
preheater and the kilninlet section.
The build-up formations cause cyclone blockages or restrictions of the kiln inlet area so that
the kiln has to be stopped for cleaning. In extreme cases more than 200 annual kiln stops
due to blockages may occur, so that the impact on kiln availability and productivity can
become a severe issue. Suspension preheaters armed with dozens of shock blowers (Fig.
2a, 2b) to prevent build-up formation illustrate the importance of this problem.