VALID PRACTICE

FOR THE
PRODUCTION PROCESS

#10 – BALL CEMENT MILL

MONITORING, INSPECTION & EVALUATION

Athens, December 2007

 Valid Practice #10

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 Valid Practice #10

BALL CEMENT MILL

MONITORING, INSPECTION & EVALUATION
1. BALL CEMENT MILL INSPECTION
1.1. Circuit efficiency
The evaluation of the circuit efficiency involves sampling at specific locations of
the circuit. In particular, the necessary samples include:
1. Mill outlet
2. CM filter outlet
3. Separator inlet
4. Separator rejects
5. Separator fines
6. Separator filter outlet
7. Final product
Separator Sep.
Filter Filter
Fan

3 CM Filter

High efficiency
Dynamic 2
Clinker Gypsum Separator
Additives
CM
Filter
Fan
4
6

1 Air
CM compressor

The above locations should be sampled under stable operating conditions and at
least three times per location. Also is should be noted that ideally all sampling of
the above locations should be done at the same time.
Based on the sieve and Blaine values of the mill outlet and the filter outlet we
calculate the percentage of the separator feed that comes from the mill outlet.
Also, using the same principle we can calculate the amount of the separator filter
returns to the final product.

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 Valid Practice #10

Based on the sieve and Blaine values of the mill outlet and the filter outlet we
calculate the percentage of the separator feed that comes from the mill outlet.
Also, using a mass balance we can calculate the amount of the separator filter
returns to the final product.
As far as the circulation loading is concerned, it is a function of:
 Product fineness.
 Chamber I ability to prepare the feed for chamber II.
 In-mill fineness (mill exit Blaine) and hence the degree of particle
agglomeration and coating.
 Separator loading and hence separation efficiency.
 Grinding efficiency.
Each mill has its optimum circulation loading which is determined from operation
at different total feed set-points and will be higher for large diameter mill, large
separator and use of additive.

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