Cornwall kaolin producer cuts fuel bill

Cornwall, UK - China clay (kaolin) producer Goonvean has achieved a 6% reduction in fuel consumption through the use of a magnetic fuel treatment technology at its Cornwall sites. The company produces kaolin through several energy intensive processes, including thermal drying.

At the manufacturing sites, kaolin is washed from weathered granite, refined, blended, filter pressed and dried, a process that involves a large amount of heat that comes from direct gas fired heating systems. There are two main dryers, plus an additional unit that is used for further specialised drying.

In a bid to increase energy efficiency, Goonvean contracted Maxsys to install 20 Fuel Systems, which work by applying a finely calibrated magnetic field to the fuel (oil or gas) in a combustion system - industrial boilers, ovens, dryers, kilns and furnaces.

The magnetic field aggregates nanoparticles in the fuel, so preventing fouling of the burner exchange surface and enhancing combustion, creating a hotter flame. These two effects combined lead to a much more efficient use of fuel.