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Raw materials such as limestone, shale, clay, and iron ore are ground together to a powder consistency.  This material is then introduced at the top of the pre-heater / flash calciner tower where it cascades through a series of cyclones picking up heat at each until the material is approximately 94% calcined before entering the kiln.  Once in the kiln, the material travels downward toward the hot end as the kiln turns approximately four revolutions per minute.  Finally, near the tip of the flame, the remaining chemical reactions occur and the newly formed clinker falls out of the kiln into a cooler where it is air quenched.