Maerzofen
The Maerzofen is a plant for burning limestone to burn lime . This furnace is named after the Swiss furnace construction company that manufactures it and consists of two to three shafts that are connected to an overflow duct. The combustion gases from the first shaft are fed into the second and third shaft and used to preheat the limestone to be burned there. The efficiency of a Maerz kiln is over 80% and is at least 15% higher than that of other lime kilns such as those used in the lime industry. This technology was developed in the 1950s by the Wopfinger building materials industry . As of 2006 there are around 350 ovens of this type in operation worldwide.
The use of a Maerzofen can save around 2 million cubic meters of natural gas annually. Around 17 million tons of CO 2 have been saved around the world by operating the Maerzöfen .