Kiln Drive
Rotary Kiln Motor, Gearbox & Emergency Drive
A kiln drive has to restart a hot, slightly bowed shell with an uneven charge inside, at high ambient temperature and in heavy dust. Starting torque and the emergency drive matter more than the running power.
Send us the kiln dimensions, speed range and site conditions. We select the main drive, the emergency drive and the starter as one package with the starting torque stated in writing.
What we need from you to select this drive
The more of this you send, the faster and more accurate the selection. If you only have part of it, send what you have — we will tell you what is still missing.
Duty data and site conditions
| Kiln dimensions | Shell diameter and length in m, number of supports, slope |
|---|---|
| Speed range | Operating speed range in rpm, and the minimum creep speed |
| Main drive power | Installed or required motor power in kW |
| Charge and process | Material, fill degree, whether it must restart with the kiln full |
| Girth gear and pinion | Existing gear data if a replacement, or new drive requirement |
| Power supply | Voltage and frequency, permitted voltage drop on start, backup power availability |
| Emergency drive | Required autonomy, diesel, battery or mains-backed, and the creep speed needed |
| Site conditions | Ambient temperature at the drive, dust loading, radiant heat from the shell |
How we select it
- 1
Confirm the running power from the kiln dimensions, speed and fill degree.
- 2
Establish the cold and hot starting torque — a loaded or bowed shell needs substantially more than running torque.
- 3
Select the girth gear and pinion or the gearbox, and check the service factor against the peak torque.
- 4
Rate the emergency drive for the required autonomy and creep speed.
- 5
Rate the starter or drive for the starting torque and the permitted voltage drop, then quote the package.
Selection points that decide the outcome
Hot restart torque
A kiln stopped under load can need far more torque to break away than to run. Rate for the restart, not for steady running.
Emergency drive autonomy
If the kiln cannot be stopped rotating during a power failure, the emergency drive must run long enough to prevent shell distortion. State the required autonomy.
Thermal growth and alignment
The shell moves as it heats. Girth gear tooth contact must be set for the hot condition, and the gearbox foundation must allow for it.
Radiant heat at the drive
High ambient temperature at the drive station derates motors and drives. Insulation, ventilation and derating all need stating.
Twin-drive load sharing
Two-pinion kiln drives must share load. Specify and verify load sharing during commissioning.
An indicative package
An example of how a selection comes together. Your figures will differ — this is to show the level of detail we return with a quotation, not a fixed configuration.
Duty
Rotary kiln Ø 4.0 × 60 m · 2 × 315 kW · speed range 0.4 – 4.0 rpm · outdoor, heavy dust, high radiant heat
Package
- Motor: 2 × 315 kW low-voltage or medium-voltage motors per the plant supply
- Gearbox: Flender helical-bevel kiln drive gearboxes with girth gear and pinion
- Starting: VSD for speed control across the full range and controlled starting torque
- Emergency drive: diesel or battery-backed unit with the required autonomy and creep speed
- Lubrication: forced lubrication for the gearbox and automatic spray lubrication for the girth gear
What we supply for this duty
Motors
- Innomotics SIMOTICS low-voltage and medium-voltage motors
- WEG W22 and W51 HD
- ABB IEC and NEMA motors
Kiln gearboxes and girth gears
- Flender kiln drive gearboxes
- Flender girth gear and pinion sets
- Flender FLENDER ONE
Drives and starting
- Siemens SINAMICS G120X, G150 and S150
- ABB ACS580, ACS880 and medium-voltage ranges
- WEG CFW11
Emergency and auxiliary drives
- Emergency drive units with diesel or battery backup
- Inching and barring drives
- Clutches
Control and monitoring
- Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500 and ET 200
- Shell temperature and kiln alignment monitoring
- B&R X20 system
Ratings we can supply
Typical ratings available
| Motor power | Up to multi-megawatt, low-voltage or medium-voltage per plant supply |
|---|---|
| Output speed | Kiln speed range typically 0.2 – 5 rpm; drives specified for full-range control |
| Gearbox torque | Flender kiln drives rated for hot restart torque, not running torque alone |
| Emergency drive | Autonomy and creep speed specified to your requirement |
| Ambient | High-ambient designs available for drive stations exposed to radiant heat |
Brands we supply
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Related applications
Other Brands Available on Request
Beyond the brands shown here, we also source and supply spare units and parts for most international and Chinese industrial brands. Not sure what you have? Send us a photo of the nameplate — we will identify the unit and quote the original part.
Why work with us
- We select the whole drive train — motor, gear unit, coupling, starter and brake — as one matched package.
- You send the duty data; we return the ratings, service factors and alternatives in writing.
- We supply Siemens, Innomotics, Flender, ABB, WEG and B&R, so selection follows your duty, not one catalogue.
- Spare parts and replacements for the same units are available afterwards.
Service & support
Remote and on-site support available, from installation supervision to commissioning and troubleshooting.
What we need from you to quote
For replacements, send a nameplate photo — we identify the exact unit and quote the original part.
- Duty data — power, torque, speed, flow or head, and duty cycle
- Supply voltage, frequency and starting method
- Preferred brand, and your required delivery window
- Quantity, destination port and required delivery date
Answers before you ask
Frequently asked questions
Can you supply an emergency drive that keeps the kiln rotating during a power failure?
Yes. We supply emergency drive units with diesel or battery backup, and select the autonomy and creep speed to your requirement so the shell is protected during a stoppage.
Do you replace existing girth gears and pinions?
Yes. Send us the existing gear data or a drawing and we will quote the replacement girth gear, pinion and the matching gearbox.
Do you only supply the eight brands shown on your homepage?
No. We source and supply spare units and parts for most international and Chinese industrial brands, not only the eight brands shown on this site.
I do not know the exact model number. Can you still quote?
Yes. Send us a photo of the nameplate and we will identify the exact unit before preparing the quotation for the original part.
Do you supply genuine original manufacturer parts?
Yes. We supply genuine original manufacturer parts. Send us a photo of the nameplate and we can identify the exact unit before quoting, so you do not need to look up a model number.
Do you provide installation guidance, commissioning and after-sales support?
Yes. We provide installation guidance, commissioning support and after-sales support, remotely or on site depending on your project.
What is the delivery time?
Lead time depends on the product and configuration. We confirm the delivery schedule together with the quotation, so you have a firm date before you order.
Which export documents and certificates can you provide?
We can provide applicable CE and ISO documentation, certificates of origin, packing lists and test reports according to the requirements of your destination country.
What payment terms and incoterms do you work with?
We accept T/T and L/C payment, and quote FOB, CIF or EXW terms to suit your project.
Send the duty data and we will select the package
We return a selection with the ratings, service factors and alternates stated — so you can compare before you buy.
Request a Quotation