Malvern cements process control in Spain
Malvern Instruments has more than 50 of its Insitec on-line particle size analysers installed in cement plants throughout the world. Particle size distribution is one of the key parameters measured during the cement manufacturing process: it is used to predict the compressive strength of the product and to indicate the effectiveness of the milling process. This not only ensures a high quality product, but also results in savings in energy costs.
Malvern's on-line Insitec analyser was installed at the Holcim plant in Jerez, Spain, to improve control of the three different grades of cement produced there. In many cement plants, silos are contaminated with cement of different quality: changing from a high to a low quality specification produces a cement with a higher specification than is required until the new parameters are achieved. Using on-line particle size analysis, it took Holcim less than five minutes to ensure that cement fineness matched the set points when changing cement quality. This faster response time meant that silo contamination was avoided. And as on-line measurement is instantaneous, the sample is returned to the main cement line, avoiding loss and spillages.