Cement, Energy and Environment

32 system is defined by how thermal energy is delivered. While carbon capture, fuel switching, and material innovation all have roles to play, none address the root thermal paradigm. This is where electrification offers an entirely different model— one that eliminates combustion, reshapes the emissions profile, and introduces new levels of efficiency and control. DIRECT ELECTRIC HEAT: A TECHNICAL BREAKTHROUGH FOR CEMENT At the center of this shift is Coolbrook’s proprietary RotoDynamic Heater™ (RDH™) technology—a direct electric heating system designed specifically for ultra-high temperature industrial processes. Unlike resistive or induction heating, Coolbrook’s RDH™ uses a unique rotor-stator mechanism to impart kinetic energy directly into process gas flows, achieving uniform volumetric heating up to 1,700°C, in milliseconds. This non-combustion approach offers several critical advantages for cement production: • High thermal efficiency (up to 95%) that rivals the best fossil-based systems without their emissions profile • Zero direct emissions from combustion , with no formation of thermal NO x or SOx • Instantaneous control, allowing for precise tuning of heat delivery across process stages • Compact, modular design , enabling retrofits into existing kiln systems without fundamental redesigns Crucially, RDH™ can operate in hybrid mode— alongside traditional, fossil fuel burners—allowing The RotoDynamic Heater™ in operation at Coolbrook’s pilot facility on the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Geleen, the Netherlands, where it has proven its potential to eliminate over 1 billion tons of CO 2 from the cement industry annually. for phased electrification and process continuity during integration. Its flexible configuration supports deployment across a range of plant types and process stages. Use cases in cement manufacturing processes include: • Cement grinding: Fossil-free drying and processing of slag and other constituents using electric heat • Calcination: Full electric pre-calciner replacement, enabling CO 2 separation at source and simplifying carbon capture and storage (CCS) integration • Clinker burning: Supplementary or full heat