Hope Cement continues to upgrade plant

In the second half of the year, the plant undertook two projects to increase the efficiency and productivity of its pyroprocessing line. New burners were installed on both kilns, increasing the throughput of fuel to boost the efficiency of the manufacturing process. The plant also installed new cyclones to speed up the rate at which raw material is fed through the preheater and into the kilns. The uprated kiln feed system was supplied and installed by Claudius Peters. 

The kiln upgrade also helped the company continue its drive to increase the use of alternative fuels as substitutes for traditional fossil fuels. According to a company spokesperson, alternative fuel usage increase by 20% through the main burner, following the upgrade to that system. Currently, the plant uses scrap tyre chips, refuse-derived material, and meat and bone meal as alternatives fuels.

In addition to the kiln upgrade, the plant also secured a “significant contract” with major utility for the supply of PFA – a waste-product of the coal-fired power industry that is used as an alternative raw material in the cement-making mix. The use of PFA will effectively reduce the plant’s SO₂ emissions, as well as allowing Hope to reduce its use of shale, thus extending the life of its shale quarry.

The plant began preparations to received increased volumes of PFA in 2H16.

Hope Cement was purchased last year by Breedon Group, a leading independent supplier of construction materials to the UK market, for £251.9 million. The business reported earnings of £10.9 million last year on revenues of £121.3 million last year.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/09032017/hope-cement-continues-to-upgrade-plant/