Cement crushing refers to the process of reducing the size of raw materials (such as limestone, clay, shale, etc.) used in cement production. The goal is to achieve the desired particle size for further processing in cement manufacturing. Here’s a breakdown of the key aspects:
1. Raw Materials for Cement Crushing
Common materials crushed for cement production include:
– Limestone (primary source of calcium carbonate)
– Clay or Shale (provides silica, alumina, and iron)
– Sand/Iron Ore (additional sources of silica and iron)
– Gypsum (added later to control setting time)
2. Crushing Process
The crushing process typically involves two stages:
– Primary Crushing: Large rocks are reduced to smaller pieces (about 6 inches) using jaw crushers or gyratory crushers.
– Secondary Crushing: Further reduction to finer particles (around 3/4 inch or smaller) using impact crushers, cone crushers, or hammer mills.
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3. Equipment Used
Common crushing machines in cement production:
– Jaw Crusher: For coarse primary crushing.
– Impact Crusher/Hammer Crusher: For medium-hard materials.
– Cone Crusher: For fine secondary crushing.
– Roll Crusher: Used for softer materials like clay.
4. Purpose of Crushing
– Increases surface area for better chemical reactions in kiln.
– Facilitates blending and homogenization.
– Reduces energy consumption in grinding.
5. Post-Crushing Steps
After crushing, materials are:
– Stored in pre-homogenization piles.
– Ground into fine powder in a raw mill before being fed into a kiln.
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