The Ambitious Port-Daniel-Gascons Project Remains On Track Despite Controversy. By Josie Smith As reported in the Cement America’s January 2014 feature, “McInnis Cement Thinks Big,” McInnis Cement announced financing and receipt of final permits to spur 2014–2016 construction of a 2 million-2.5 million tpy plant and marine terminal in Port-Daniel-Gascons, Quebec, Canada. Anchoring an export-driven business model, the marine terminal will…
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Have a Cup of Fuel
At Lafarge, Used K-Cups Pack a Second Life as an Alternative Fuel. By Josie Smith Lafarge Canada Inc. and Van Houtte Coffee Services Inc. have partnered to reduce the environmental footprint of both organizations by replacing a portion of Lafarge’s fossil fuel energy at the Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada, cement plant with 70,000 lb. annually of used K-Cup coffee and…
Read MoreFrom Regulation to Innovation
Using Monitoring Data to Transform Rules into Opportunities. By Michael Corvese Cement producers – especially those operating in the United States and Europe – are subject to a broad range of environmental regulation. In September 2015, U.S. cement producers will face a new series of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, which includes emissions limits and maximum achievable control technology (MACT)…
Read MoreSurging Sustainability
Cement Sustainability Initiative Backs Responsible Sourcing Scheme for Concrete. By Mark S. Kuhar Industry representatives from both the cement and concrete sectors recently met in Medellín, Colombia, to initiate the development of a responsible sourcing scheme (RSS) for concrete. The meeting was held during the International Concrete Sustainability Conference organized by the Ibero-American Ready-Mixed Concrete Association (FIHP) and the National…
Read MoreHolcim in the Driver’s Seat
Holcim (US) operates the largest single-kiln line cement-producing facility in the world: the Ste. Genevieve plant in Missouri. When the facility went on-stream in 2009, it required 28 large variable frequency drives (VFDs), with power ratings of 350 to 5,500 hp, to power its fans, mill drives and kiln drives. Ste. Genevieve produces hundreds of tons of cement per hour…
Read MoreSaying No to Noise
Lafarge Canada’s Exshaw, Alberta, Plant Installs a Stack Silencer That Has Reduced Sound Levels and Created Community Good Will. By Mark S. Kuhar The installation included 13 silencer modules. In January 2012, Lafarge North America finally said “no” to noise. At that time, they saw the completion of an intensive engineering project at its cement plant in Exshaw, Alberta, Canada, by…
Read MoreMcinnis Cement Thinks Big
New plant designed to serve Eastern markets with a price tag of almost $1 billion. By Mark S. Kuhar and Don Marsh
Read MoreTaking Control of Fugitive Material
Grupo Cementos de Chihuahua upgrades its bulk material handling conveyors, helping the company eliminate waste and reduce maintenance. By Mark S. Kuhar and Josephine Smith
Read MoreShoot the Cannons!
By Josephine Smith A Material Buildup Problem in a Cyclone Was Solved Using Air Cannons to Return Normal Flow to the System and Prevent Future Blockages.
Read MoreSaving Energy in a Cement Plant
By Dr. Stefan Lindner and Thomas Walther Rising Energy Costs, Increasing Pressure To Produce Returns, And The Environment Are Creating Tremendous Interest In Energetically Optimized Plant Concepts.
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