CEMENT: STORAGE, PACKING AND DISPATCH

We were discussing “Cements and its types” and “Clinker grinding process in cement manufacturing unit” in our previous posts. We have also seen the “Clinker storage system” in our recent post.

Today we are going to start here one very important topic i.e. Cement storage, packing and dispatch. We will understand the various terminologies and engineering concepts used in cement technology with the help of this category, but first read this article “Clinker cooling technology” and “Cement kiln refractory lining”.

Further we will go for discussion of clinker grinding, cement packing and dispatch, pollution control and much more facts about cement technology in our next post in this category of cement technology.

Let us see here, cement storage, packing and dispatch

Storage of Cement

Cement is stored in cylindrical silos of RCC type construction where air is supplied by various root blowers usually. Silos with bottom inverted cones are used due to lower specific power consumption.

Earlier cement was stored in wooden and steel casings. Now days, cement is packed in bags using either

1. Gunny / jute bags

2. HDPE bags with kraft paper lining inside

3. 5 ply kraft paper bag

Jute bags cause the highest spillage / leakage resulting in reduction in net cement content in transit. But the used jute bags have higher sale value as these can be re - used for cement packing unlike paper or HDPE bags.

The packers used are either stationary, which are very limited in capacity, or Rotary, which have a large capacity.

Now days, electronic weighing devices are used to ensure proper weighing of the packed bags within acceptable limits.

After cooling of cement

Storage of cement and packing into paper bags requires a reduction of cement temperature down to 65 C. During conveying from mill to storage silos, cement temperature is lowered by about 5 - 10 C. Cooling process in silos lasts several weeks. When storing hot cement in silos, lumps are formed from reaction between clinker minerals and water of hydration of gypsum.

If hot cement is packed in bags, the paper fibre deteriorates and the bags often tear apart.

Hence, cement coolers can be used to reduce the temperature of cement from 110 C to around 65 C by applying cold water at 15 C.

Do you have any suggestions? Please write in comment box.

We will see other topic i.e. “sources of pollution and control technology” in our next post in the category of Steel and cement technology.

I am very thankful to Mr. Subrata Bhaumik, Independent cement consultant, for providing such beautiful information and contents about cement technology.

Mr. Subrata Bhaumik has more than 50 (Fifty) Years (1965 - 2016) of Experience in Cement and other related Industry covering more than 100 assignments in cement plants with capacities ranging from 100 tpd to 10,000 tpd in India and abroad involving visit to 25 countries overseas in connection with work.

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