Exshaw cement plant retires kiln 4

The LafargeHolcim Exshaw plant in Alberta, Canada, has reached a major milestone in its upgrade project: the retirement of kiln 4. The company invited back 84-year-old Tony Levstik, who retired from Lafarge Canada Inc. in 1994, to do the honours.

"It seemed only right that we invite Tony to shut down the kiln. He was a first generation Kiln 4, A Operator when the kiln was installed in 1975," says Plant Manager, Jim Bachmann. "It's a historic day for us. At the time of the plant's expansion in 1975, the 600-foot kiln was the latest technology with the best pollution control available. This marks the end of the era and beginning of a new one."

Kiln 4 is being replaced by kiln 6, a new kiln that reduces SO₂ emissions by approximately 30%, NO_X by 75% and greenhouse gas emissions from combustion by 25%. The new kiln will also have a state-of-the-art baghouse to collect particulates, replacing the old gravel bed filter technology. Kiln 6 is due to come online by spring 2016.

To celebrate this major expansion milestone, Lafarge hosted a Kiln 4 Retirement Luncheon for employees who shared their best stories about operations over the years.

Adapted from press release by Katherine Guenioui

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/the-americas/02122015/exshaw-cement-plant-retires-kiln-4-95/