Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between kiln processing parameters and NOx emissions that occur in the sintering and calcination steps of the cement manufacturing process and to derive the main factors responsible for producing emissions outside emission limit criteria, as determined by category models and classification rules, using data mining techniques. The results from this study are expected to be useful as guidelines for NOx emission control standards. Methods: Data were collected from Precalciner Kiln No.3 used in one of the domestic cement plants in Korea. Thirty-four independent variables affecting NOx generation and dependent variables that exceeded or were below the NOx emiision limit (>1 and <0, respectively) were examined during kiln processing. These data were used to construct a detection model of NOx emission, in which emissions exceeded or were below the set limits. The model was validated using SPSS MODELER 18.0, artificial neural network, decision treee (C5.0), and logistic regression analysis data mining techniques. Results: The decision tree (C5.0) algorithm best represented NOx emission behavior and was used to identify 10 processing variables that resulted in NOx emissions outside limit criteria. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the decision tree (C5.0) can be applied for real-time monitoring and management of NOx emissions during the cement firing process to satisfy NOx emission control standards and to provide for a more eco-friendly cement product.