For its Tehachapi plant located in California, USA, Lehigh Southwest Cement Co has ordered an upgrade of its cement mill with a hydraulic roller press pre-grinder with FLSmidth's latest innovation, the TRIBOMAX® wear surface protection.

The upgrade is expected to increase the current cement grinding capacity at the Tehachapi plant by 23 per cent by installing and using the hydraulic roller press for pre-grinding. The TRIBOMAX wear solution will furthermore significantly decrease operational cost, according to the Danish equipment supplier.

"TRIBOMAX wear solution is the latest wear part innovation from FLSmidth. The product excels by combining a unique material and an innovative use of a welding technology (Plasma Transfer ARC)," FLSmidth explains.

"By applying the patented materials together with this special welding technology, the rollers of the hydraulic roller press obtain a built-in surface roughness instead of merely a smooth coating. The result is a surface that is up to 15 times more wear-resistant than an unprotected steel construction and several times stronger than an alternative wear coating. TRIBOMAX wear solution thereby offers a unique resistance against tramp metal and oversize feed, extending wear life and reliability," it adds.

The EPC contract includes engineering, a new clinker bin, Heavy-Duty Roller Press HRP-C 1.25 with its auxiliaries, weigh feeder, set of belt conveyors, nuisance filters, bucket elevators and new electrical room for this circuit. 

Lehigh Southwest Cement Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lehigh Hanson Inc and part of HeidelbergCement.