- Written by Mario Taddeo, Pyrotek Canada & Michael Dubovokich, Boral Cement
The burning zone of a rotary lime kiln has the highest process and shell temperatures of anywhere in the kiln. Increasing production by increasing burning temperatures necessitates the selection of higher quality basic wear lining brick (improved thermochemical resistance) to optimise the refractory campaign life. Such bricks also have higher conductivity and, with minimal coating formation, shell temperatures are further increased. The resulting high shell temperature can cause shell deformation, increased energy consumption, loosening of the refractory lining and rotational and migration issues. Until now, dedicated insulation linings have not been used in such intensely thermomechanically stressful applications due to their inherent softness and fragility. Rotary kiln lime producers have to tolerate unacceptably high shell temperatures and energy consumption in order to achieve increased production targets. To correct this, a 13mm thick structural insulation board manufactured by Pyrotek, with world’s best thermomechanical properties, was trialed in order to reduce the shell temperatures. Its performance was assessed over a three year campaign.
- Written by Peter Edwards, Global Cement Magazine
The use of Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs), such as slags and fly ash, in cement blends is a well-established methodology for reducing clinker factor while imparting beneficial properties to the eventual concrete product. Here Global Cement speaks to Charlie Zeynel of ZAG International Pty. Ltd., a company that sources, markets and sells a full range of minerals and raw materials as well as intermediate and finished products to a wide range of industries. What are the current trends and what can we expect from the SCM markets in the future?
- Written by Ad Ligthart, Cement Distribution Consultants
Global seaborne cement and clinker trading volumes are relatively small compared to global production levels but they are strategically important and have a significant impact on the profitability of the companies involved. Here, Ad Ligthart from Cement Distribution Consultants presents the latest cement and clinker trade patterns, with a focus on Chinese over-capacity and rapidly-developing import markets in Africa and the US.
- Written by Peter Edwards, Global Cement Magazine
As VDZ members sit down at the VDZ Annual Cement Conference on 27 - 28 September 2016, they will be doing so in one of the most technologically-advanced, environmentally-conscious and competitive cement industries in the world, as well as in a country where cement demand could be set to increase in light of massive new infrastructure spending...
- Written by Peter Edwards, Global Cement Magazine
The UK, EU and much of the rest of the world is still reeling from the UK’s shock decision to leave the EU in a referendum held on 23 June 2016. Although the country already has a new Prime Minister and the Pound has fallen somewhat against the Euro and US Dollar, the full economic and political effects of the decision, nicknamed ‘Brexit,’ will take years to unfold. Here Global Cement takes the views of Edwin Trout of the Cement Industry Suppliers’ Forum (CISF) in the UK, with his comments coming just days after the vote.
