Cement News tagged under: manufacturing technology
Best energy consumption16 February 2015, Published under Cement NewsWhen it comes to achieving the best energy consumption, what are the key factors a cement producer needs to address? In this article, extracted from the newly published Cement Plant Environmental Handbook (Second Edition), Lawrie Evans presents a masterclass in understanding and optimising cement plant energy consumption. By Lawrie Evans, EmCem Ltd, UK. Figure 1: electrical energy (MWh) index across 14 countries, 2013 As control of sources, generation, distribution and consumpti... |
Supplying certainty11 February 2015, Published under Cement NewsThe Middle East and Africa cement markets have experienced varying fortunes over recent years. While GCC countries have largely enjoyed strong levels of demand in the last two years, North Africa has been affected by political and social unrest, while many regions of sub-Saharan Africa are enjoying rapidly-rising consumption. With a wealth of experience in MEA markets, Polysius SAS, part of ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions (Germany), has recorded sustained activity in these countries, over... |
Dealing with natural variation26 January 2015, Published under Cement NewsThe variability in deposition environment and the depth of its location in the quarry mean that limestones show significant variation at different places. For the cement producers, this presents challenges to obtain a uniform raw material supply. Stratigraphical variation in the quarry presents challenges to obtain a uniform raw material supply Cement clinker is made primarily from naturally-occurring raw materials, the highest proportion of which is limestone. Most limestones w... |
It’s all in the bag12 January 2015, Published under Cement NewsA correctly-selected air pollution control system will not only control emissions to air successfully, but will also contribute to the cement plant’s overall efficiency. By John B Johnson, FLSmidth AFT, USA. AFT fibreglass filter bags The poor performance of pollution control equipment at a cement plant can be caused by changes in process or raw materials, increases in temperature, air flow or velocity, poor maintenance or improper filter media selection. An analysis of the comp... |
Concrete, air and aggregates19 December 2014, Published under Cement NewsThe design of a good-quality concrete mix depends on a number of factors: the right balance between cement and water used, avoiding excessive air entrapment and the use of suitable aggregate. A fresh delivery of concrete Most Portland cement production is destined to become a part of concrete, whether ready-mix, precast, sprayed or other type. A typical mix for concrete is shown in Table 1. Concrete contains three essential elements: aggregate (including coarse, fine and sand... |
JK's Mangrol expansion15 December 2014, Published under Cement NewsJK Cement Ltd is one of India’s leading cement producers with four domestic grey cement plants and a newly-established presence in the UAE. The company has undertaken an ambitious plan to raise its Indian cement capacity substantially by 2017. The recent completion of its Mangrol brownfield expansion project in the northern Indian state of Rajasthan marks a key step towards this goal. By MP Rawal, D Ravisankar & RK Bajaj, JK Cement Ltd, India. JK Cement's Mangrol expansion project was... |
Sulphate resistance26 November 2014, Published under Cement NewsSulphate resistance is frequently the subject of cement chemistry-related questions. Why do we need to resist sulphate and where? Is there a downside to sulphate-resistant clinker? Bridge piers in estuaries require a cement that is resistant to sulphate attack Sulphate is an essential component of Portland cement but, as with all good things, it must be taken in moderation. Excessive sulphate can lead to catastrophic failure of concrete while a shortage can mean that the concret... |
Asset maintenance06 October 2014, Published under Cement NewsEffective maintenance management plays a key role in operational excellence. Major cement producers such as Lafarge have gained their market position as an result of improving their operations through effective preventative and best-practice asset maintenance programmes. by Ralph Rio, ARC Advisory Group, USA. Lafarge’s grinding mill in Randfontein, South Africa, benefits from the company’s approach to maintenance Within an area or region, raw material and energy costs in the cem... |
Siwertell celebrates 4017 September 2014, Published under Cement NewsAs Sweden-based Siwertell marks its 40th anniversary, Cargotec looks back at changes in cement handling requirements over the four decades since it entered the market and charts key moments in its development. By Cargotec (Siwertell brand), Sweden. Siwertell unloaders have responded successfully to cement market needs with increased handling capacities and environmentally-friendly operation Much has changed in cement handling in the last 40 years and although cement consump... |
Alite hydration with alkalis15 September 2014, Published under Cement NewsThe continued drive to optimise the use of cement in concrete mixes has sparked an interest in the hydration of alite in an alkaline environment. Research has shown that the presence of alkalis such as Na and K during alite hydration results in a higher amount of hydrated products and matrix densification. By Carolina Giraldo Torres, Ariel Berrío, Cementos Argos & Oscar Mendoza Reales, Jorge Iván Tobón, Universidad Nacional de Colombia. R&D at Cementos Argos, Colombia Almost two... |