The Portland Cement Association (PCA) announced the winners of its inaugural Chairman’s Manufacturing Performance Awards, which recognizes associate members’ accomplishments in the advancement of cement manufacturing over the previous year. Associate members are suppliers, engineers and consultants that support cement companies in the production of high-quality cement in the most energy-efficient and environmentally sound way possible.
“Cement in various forms may have been around for centuries, but we are always looking for better, safer, cleaner and more efficient ways to manufacture high-quality products for our customers,” said Continental Cement President Tom Beck, who also serves as PCA vice-chairman and chairman of the PCA Manufacturing Technical Committee (MTC). “Cement producers don’t go it alone, and often work with companies like those being honored today that can bring the latest science and technology to bear on improving how cement is made.”
Presented at the PCA Summer Committee Meetings in Chicago, the awards recognize achievements in three main areas: innovative products, unique processes and best-in-class practices. Entrants presented to a panel of PCA member judges earlier this year during a joint meeting of the PCA Environment & Energy and MTC committees.
1st Place: FLSmidth Inc.
For development of an innovative down draft top-stage cyclone design, which sends de-dusted gas and material out through the cyclone bottom – lowering upstream airflow, reducing pressure drop and minimizing structural load. It also provides increased capacity, lower upper stage pressure drops, higher upper stage efficiencies and better specific fuel consumption.
2nd Place: RHI Magnesita
For the innovation of using panels of high MgO refractory systems to control excessive coating formations in basic and non-basic refractory systems. This innovation can reduce off-peak production and kiln downtime that normally would be required to eliminate these coating formations.
3rd Place: BWF Envirotec
For development of the Pulse Flow Analyzer, which measures and analyzes baghouse cleaning pulses to the thousandth of a second to deliver hard data, drive results and achieve best in class.
