A buildup of hot, sticky clinker that grows on the first grates or the inlet of a cement clinker cooler, under the kiln discharge, sometimes reaching several metres high. It disrupts clinker distribution, starves the cooler of good airflow and can block the kiln outlet. Plants knock it down with air blasters, water lances or a snowman breaker, and target the kiln chemistry and burning conditions that make clinker sticky.
Snowman's back on the cooler inlet, air cannons can't keep up, get the hydroblaster crew ready.
Also heard as
- cooler snowman
- clinker buildup
Related terms
Ring
Circular buildup of material inside a rotary kiln that dams the flow, or one circular course of lining brick.
Coating
Layer of clinker that sticks to the burning zone brick in a cement kiln and shields it from heat and wear.
Red spot
Shell area glowing visibly red from lining loss, the signal to take a kiln or vessel out of service.