International Cement Review articles tagged under : Manufacturing Technology
Crystal clusters in clinker
With increasing use of alternative fuels, short homogenisation times in precalciner kiln systems and the requirement for high alite cement, the presence of crystal clusters is not expected to be a thing of the past. While the impact of crystal clusters in clinker on quality is not always clear, some effects can be seen. Figure 1: brown and lighter blue belite crystals surrounding l...
West African grinding goals
The construction of three Cim Metal cement grinding plants in Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire is expected to significantly improve cement supply to this area of west Africa. A key part in the building and commissioni...
Roller press celebrates 40 years
Since its invention 40 years ago, the roller press has continuously improved and expanded its use in the cement and mineral-processing industries. KHD tracks the changes since the technology’s introduction and celebr...
Smart maintenance planning
What if your machinery could tell you when it needs attention? The latest-generation rotor weighfeeders Pfister® DRW do just that. To ensure optimum runtime of the weighfeeders as well as perfect dosing, FLSmidth Pfi...
Reduced costs, enhanced safety
Sustained economic success cannot be based on efficiency alone. Health and safety also have to be prioritised in bulk storage systems. The fully-automated polysius® storage system installed by thyssenkrupp Industria...
Raw material microscopy
Microscopical methods are key tools in the assessment of potential raw materials to be used in the production of high-quality cement. This month ICR considers the use of optical microscopy in the determination of the...
Making the right moves
The opening moves in a chess game lay the foundation for every match. Likewise, assigning cement transport orders to contract hauliers plays a crucial role in the daily race for competitiveness. Algorithms can help p...
The preference for plastic
When using plastic packaging choosing the right bag and the corresponding technology is not easy. By Frank Goris, Arodo BVBA, Belgium. Arodo produces machines for perforated, labyrinth or sealed bags Whi...
Coming into port
While cement represents only a small part of the dry bulk shipping market, it has its own requirements in terms of port facilities and market dynamics. With seaborne trade continuing to grow, it is vital that ports u...
Ensuring IT security
The role of security is becoming increasingly important for companies looking to gain control over their IT landscape. By identifying vulnerabilities in existing technical architecture, absolute control and security ...
Finding failure
Roller presses are a popular choice for raw, pre-clinker or finish grinding. Online condition monitoring of its components can help detect early equipment failure and reduce downtime of the grinding section. By Dalog...
Establishing a Latin fan base
Latin America is a key market for the Boldrocchi Group. Recent projects include the supply of a range of fans for the Cementos Fortaleza plant in Tula, Mexico, and for the Oruro plant of Empresa Pública Productiva Ce...
Fabric filtration comes of age
Fabric filtration is increasingly seen as the best-available technology to help producers meet their goals, and with good reason. FLSmidth has introduced two important innovations in this area. Firstly, extra-long fi...
Early strength development
This month Arthur Harrisson discusses early strength development in concrete, which is affected by many variables in practice. In the two-stage process, which includes a setting and a hardening phase, he observes the...
Beneficiation of landfilled and ponded fly ash
With interest in the recovery and beneficiation of landfilled ash growing, ST Equipment and Technologies (STET) explains how its unique tribo-electrostatic belt separation system, long used for beneficiation of fresh...
Improved automation
The implementation of the IgnitionTM automation tool by LafargeHolcim’s Trbovlje cement plant in Slovenia has empowered the works with its simplicity and versatility, providing the producer with one system and almost...