Cement producers face competitive challenges to maintain high quality standards, meet environmental pressures, and operate cost efficient processes. Cement plants strive for consistent raw material quality with minimal chemistry deviation, from quarry to silo to customer. Lengthening the life of the quarry, reducing waste and fuel, and minimizing outside raw materials costs all require process control and constant monitoring of cement production.
Here you'll find information about online bulk material analysis and control; material handling; level, density, and flow measurement; emissions and personnel safety monitoring; informatics; and elemental and phase analysis in the laboratory—for use at both the quarry and the cement plant.
See how representative samples can be obtained directly from a material stream in this 3-minute animated video.
See where elemental online analyzers, x-ray analyzers, belt scales, weigh belt feeders, level sensors and indicators, flow detectors, impact weighers, stack emission gas detectors, material storage tracking software, and other instruments are used in the cement process.
X-ray fluorescence allows the analysis of major and minor oxides present in the raw materials and products found in the cement industry. A WDXRF spectrometer configured as a sequential-simultaneous unit can be used to identify various elements utilizing two types of sample preparation, depending on the differences of mineralogy.
Wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) allows measurement of up to 84 elements in samples of various forms and nature: solids or liquids, conductive or non-conductive. Advantages of XRF over other techniques are speed of analysis, generally easy sample preparation, very good stability, precision and wide dynamic range (from ppm levels to 100%). This study shows a WDXRF instrument permits the analysis of a large variety of oxide materials with good accuracy.
Quantitative analysis of clinker phases is a very interesting challenge faced by the cement industry. Analysis of phases such as free lime in clinkers and limestone additions in cement by XRD has been extremely useful in controlling the kiln process and the quality of the end product respectively. This case study compared quantitative results obtained on a series of clinker samples (industrial samples taken under real kiln operation conditions) using three methods.
Workability is the ability of a fresh (plastic) concrete mix to fill a given form/mold properly with the desired work (vibration) and without reducing the concrete’s quality. Rheometers and viscotesters measure the yield stress of cement paste and concrete, and help determine their workability.
Belt conveyor scales have become an important part of most bulk material handling facilities. However, lack of simple maintenance will potentially cause significant reduction in the accuracy capabilities of these instruments. Here are tips on how to create a routine scale maintenance procedure and a maintenance checklist chart.
XRF (X-ray fluorescence) is a non-destructive analytical technique used to determine the elemental composition of materials. XRF analyzers determine the chemistry of a sample by measuring the fluorescent (or secondary) X-ray emitted from a sample when it is excited by a primary X-ray source. Each of the elements present in a sample produces a set of unique fluorescent X-rays ("a fingerprint") for that specific element, which is why XRF spectroscopy is an excellent technology for qualitative and quantitative analysis of material composition.
How accurate is it? Is it safe? Learn more in these resources.
XRF and PGNAA Analysis of Cement (webinar)
Watch a complete overview of how Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) can work together to provide consistent kiln feed, greater throughput, streamlined processes, and more comprehensive analysis of cement operations.
Gamma Radiation Safety Guide
Instruments and devices containing radioactive material are subject to regulation by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), an Agreement State, or in Canada, by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). An Agreement State is a state with which the NRC has entered into a written agreement under Section 274(b) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (see also Title10 CFR Part 150.15).
For more information:
Access a targeted collection of scientific application notes, case studies, videos, webinars and white papers for the coal, minerals, and cement industries.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website.
If you continue without changing your settings, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on Thermo Fisher Scientific websites. However, you can change your cookie settings at any time at the bottom of this page.
