We are 3100tpd cement plant situated in the Arabian Gulf. We have four cement silos 10,000 tons each at our plant, we are facing the problem of lump formation in silos, which is causing cement extraction delays and is also effecting our market reputation as well. Our cement mill is 136tph rated capacity (OPC) closed circuit with water spray system (made in-house). The humidity reaches 80 to 90 per cent in summers, as it is a coastal area. Till now we have not come to any conclusion about the cause of lump formation in our plant. Can you please suggest us if grinding aid may help in solving the above said problem, how technically, and of course to what extent.

Given your location and the humidity you suffer in the summer, the question you must answer is whether the lump formation is caused by the ambient humidity in the air in the free space in the silo or continued dehydration of gypsum in the silo. I suspect the problem will be continued dehydration of gypsum in the silo. To solve this you must carefully control the temperature of the cement entering the silo. The installation of a cement cooler may be necessary in your climate to bring the cement temperature below 80 degrees centigrade.