According to Engineering News, Cement manufacturer PPC is attaining the benefits of an upgrade to the cooler on one of the kiln lines
at its Dwaalboom production facility in the North West province. PPC group technical services head Niru Govender says this has led to a prominent improvement in production capacity and the reliability of the production unit, enabling the facility to attain higher yearly clinker production and improved thermal efficiency of the clinker line.
“This is the first clinker cooler of its kind to be installed in the local cement industry. It incorporates the very latest thermally efficient cooler technology and has been sourced from a leading international supplier.”
Owing to the success of the upgrade, this type of cooler technology will be applied as the standard for all PPC’s new projects, and replace old cooler technology as it is phased out at PPC. The R70-million planned upgrade of PPC’s Dwaalboom kiln line will be completed by 2017 and will align with efficiency improvements and legislation. “The introduction of revamped quality control and quality assurance systems to ensure that PPC consistently delivers high-quality products is another example of the company’s commitment to continuous improvement,” Govender says.
PPC has also implemented an energy-monitoring and -management system that tracks and optimises energy consumption. This is being supported by the Department of Trade and Industry’s energy efficiency initiative, the National Cleaner Production Centre. PPC’s investment of R1.7-billion to upgrade PPC Slurry’s Kiln 9 in Lichtenberg is an example of the company’s ongoing focus on modernisation to contribute significantly to local infrastructure development going forward.
“These projects form part of the strategic approach that aims to double PPC’s business every ten years through a diversified product and solution strategy,” Govender concludes.
