Time is money. This mantra applies to every manufacturing industry. The production of cement clinker is a complex system with many pitfalls. The three main components, the kiln, the raw meal and the refractory material, must be kept in harmony. Any small disturbance of one component can have a major impact on the whole system. If the kiln does not run smoothly, the risk of the refractory material being damaged over a short timeframe increases. If the composition of the raw meal is variable, not only can off-spec clinker be produced but the refractory lining can also be damaged. Once the refractory material is affected, it loses its protective effect and the kiln shell can overheat and deform. High consequential costs arise. Costs for refractory material only make up a minor part of the operating costs, but they form the basis for a running kiln and thus for a properly maintained cement plant.
展开▼
