Holcim Apasco’s seventh cement plant, located near Hermosillo city, state of Sonora, in northwest Mexico, was successfully commissioned in November 2010. Pedro Lluch of Holcim reports on how this 3500tpd state-of-the-art facility meets all of the most recent requirements in terms of energy savings, environmental performance, operational health and safety (OH&S) standards and sustainable development.
The new technology installed at Holcim’s Hermosillo works includes a six-stage preheater with low pressure drop cyclones and a low NOx precalciner, one 4.5m diameter x 70m long rotary kiln, three Horomill 3800s for cement grinding, five crushers for raw materials, correctives and additives as well as a flexible cement loading and dispatch system equipped with a 16-spout packing machine and a bag sealing system.
Mechanical, electrical and control equipment was supplied on a ‘semi-turnkey’ basis by Fives FCB (France). Additionally, the design, engineering and supply of steel structures as well as plate work was contracted with Fives FCB. The erection and construction of the new plant was the responsibility of experienced and well-known Mexican contractors.
The plant is located 23km east of Hermosillo city in a relatively flat area with desert climate conditions. As a result, plant design and construction not only had to cope with temperatures easily exceeding 50°C in summer but also with production conditions that include water scarcity and the use of abrasive and low moisture raw materials.
