Siemens has received an order from the Lebanese company, Cimenterie Nationale, Beirut, to modernise and upgrade kiln line number 4 in the Chekka cement plant. In the course of the project, the kiln line will be fitted with new MV- and LV-switchgear, drive and automation systems as well as a set of new process instrumentation, whereby a Simatic PCS 7 will be used as the overall control system. Siemens is also responsible for the engineering side of the contract as well as project management for the electrical equipment. The order is worth around Euro 3.5m and the modernised kiln line is scheduled to start production in the spring of 2007.

In Chekka, a port around 80km to the north of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, Cimenterie Nationale operates a cement plant with a daily production capacity of 5000t. Due to rising demand in the region, the company is investing in modernisation and expansion of kiln line number 4, the aim being to increase this line’s daily capacity from 2000t to approximately 3800t.

Siemens is supplying the necessary medium-voltage and low-voltage power distribution equipment, the drives with a motor control center, the automation system and process instrumentation as well as gas analysis systems. Also included in the order is the installation of new instrumentation and a new control system based on the Simatic PCS 7, which will replace the preceding system that was also supplied by Siemens. In addition to all this, Siemens is responsible for all the basic and electrical detail engineering aspects of the project as well as for design of the interfaces in the electrical and automation systems. Furthermore, the company will ensure correct integration of the new equipment and systems in the existing cement plant. The range of services also includes supervision of the installation work for the equipment and monitoring of the commissioning process for all the electrical and control components to be supplied.

 The mechanical equipment and components will be the responsibility of ZAB-Industrietechnik & Service GmbH and Humboldt Wedag ZAB GmbH, with the latter providing the design engineering and the mechanical equipment. The buildings will be erected by Cimenterie Nationale through subcontractors.

Among the main reasons why Siemens was awarded the contract were the many years of excellent business relations with Cimenterie Nationale as well as Siemens’ expertise in project management and the cement industry.