Cement plant operators face constant pressure to reduce operating costs and emissions output. While trucks and trains have been the default solution for transporting limestone from the quarry to the plant, modern overland conveying technology provides a viable alternative. How can cement plant operators select the right overland conveying technology for their bulk materials transfer?
Trucks and trains have long been the traditional solutions for bulk material transportation for cement plant operators. Trains have the advantage of energy efficiency, but they require significant capital investment and are usually only deployed over very long distances. Additionally, trains have no route flexibility and do not provide continuous transport.
Truck fleets offer a flexible and scalable approach, which can even be outsourced entirely. However, truck transportation models also have limitations. Diesel-driven trucks have high operational costs due to fuel consumption and regular maintenance requirements. Cement plant operators must also consider the cost of controlling dust when using trucks.
At the same time, trucks have a negative environmental impact. Diesel engines contribute to carbon emissions and generate noise. In addition, material spillage during loading and unloading or en route to the destination contaminates the environment. In contrast, modern cement industry solutions like overland belt conveyors have several advantages, such as the elimination of intermediate transfer points, lower operating costs, and lower emissions.
What factors affect the choice of conveying technology?
A comparison of trucking versus conveying shows that modern conveyor technology offers a viable alternative to trucks for cement plant material transfer, given its ability to improve the plant’s operational efficiency. With this in mind, plant operators should consider the specific parameters of their application so that they can select the best conveying technology for their needs. Factors that may affect this choice include:
- The required mass of material to transfer in tph.
- The characteristics of the terrain, boundary or property lines, areas with restricted access, topography, road or water crossings, and other influencing factors.
- The nature of the material, especially the presence of large lumps, plus any potential environmental protection needed for either the material itself or the surrounding area.
The conveying technology
There are three main single-flight conveying solutions for cement plant materials transfer, each with advantages and disadvantages.
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