Better Bulk Handling 

New, Efficient Solutions Can Help Cement Producers Adapt To Ever-Changing Circumstances. Edited by Mark S. Kuhar Dry bulk ports and terminals, such as those used by cement producers, are in a state of constant change. The materials they handle change and so, too, do the quantities.  Operators are constantly having to adapt to new requirements. They want to automate their…

Read More

Cracking the Code

Anti-Aging Solutions For Cement Plants And Tackling New Challenges Due To Refuse Derived Fuel. Edited by Mark S. Kuhar Fulfilling a large order may mean that a cement plant needs to keep running at full capacity over extended periods. This creates risk as major cracks and wear can develop in equipment.  Vladimir Filipov, key customer manager at repair specialist Remoterm,…

Read More

The Raw Truth

New Raw Mill Increases Productivity And Efficiency At CalPortland’s Mojave Plant. Edited by Mark S. Kuhar At CalPortland Co.’s Mojave plant, kiln production was being limited by the raw mill, which couldn’t cope with the increasing demand of a hot market. The company made the decision to invest in a new mill, and settled on an OK raw mill 48-4…

Read More

The Economics of Workplace Safety

Justifying Safety Investments Is Greatly Enhanced By Quantifying What Most Financial Managers Refer To As ‘Intangible Costs.’  By Dennis Blauser Conveyor safety is not a modern trend bred by government regulation; it’s a common-sense idea as old as the first conveyor design. In the modern age, safety is a key factor in worker protection, reduced insurance rates and a lower…

Read More

Unlocking Your Silos’ Full Potential

A Lack Of Regular Cleanings Can Lead To Reduced Storage Capacity, Lost Material, Blockages And Even Structural Damage.  By Dennis Blauser Silo cleaning is a critical part of any facility’s maintenance schedule. Without regular cleanings, stored material can become compacted, leading to reduced storage capacity, lost material, blockages and even structural damage.  This can have a serious impact on a…

Read More

Time for AI?

Artificial Intelligence Is Changing The World, And The Cement Industry Is No Exception. Should We Be Worried, Or Is It The Time To Embrace The Revolution?  By Jonathan Rowland We need to talk about how good AI is getting. So read a headline from the New York Times in August 2022. Since then, public interest in artificial intelligence (AI) has…

Read More

Mitchell Milestone

Nestled In Limestone-Rich Indiana, A New Flagship Plant Leaves No Doubt That Heidelberg Materials North America Is All In On Negating Carbon Dioxide Emissions. By Don Marsh On a scale of new clinker capacity – and environmental metrics tuned to carbon-minded market and regulator sentiments – no North American and few cement plants globally will match Heidelberg Materials’ rebuilt Mitchell,…

Read More

Perfecting the Process

World’s Largest Calcined Clay Kiln Requires Precise Metering And Blending. By Ernesto Duran Argos Rio Claro, Colombia, owned and operated by its parent company Cementos Argos, wanted to achieve a higher clinker substitution rate for its portland cement, by blending alternative cementitious materials. This substitution is helping to advance the company’s sustainability drive to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050…

Read More

Smart Kiln Maintenance

Refractory Maintenance Is Unavoidable, But An Experienced Crew With The Right Equipment Can Minimize Scheduled Downtime And Virtually Eliminate Installation Mistakes That Could Lead To Emergency Maintenance. By Heather Harding Time is money. No place is this adage more appropriate than the manufacturing industry. When even one piece of the system is down, whether for routine maintenance or an unexpected…

Read More

Silo Inspections Can Save Lives

Though It’s Important To Inspect Silos Frequently, In-House Silo Inspections Carry Too Many Limitations And Safety Concerns To Warrant Skipping A Professional Assessment. By Dennis Blauser In the summer of 2022, a grain silo in Iowa had a catastrophic failure. Two workers were unloading grain into a holding shed onsite at the time of the silo failure. Though one worker…

Read More
1 2 3 20