Cement Grinding Plant with Agitator Mill for Fineness Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cement production methods lack flexibility in adjusting cement properties and require constant operation of secondary grinding equipment to achieve desired fineness levels.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a ball mill and classifier to separate cement into fines and coarse material, with a portion of the fines being further ground in a dry-operated agitator ball mill to produce a second cement that can be mixed with the first cement or used independently, allowing for adjustable fineness and flexible production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a two-stage grinding plant with continuous operation of secondary grinding equipment is used to achieve high fineness (above 500 m2/kg), then the desired fineness is achieved, but the production flexibility and adaptability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefinenessVSAvoidproduction flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by operating the secondary grinding equipment (second vertical roller mill) only during specific periods when energy supply is sufficient, rather than continuous operation. The system switches between using the first vertical roller mill alone and combining it with the second mill based on energy availability, enabling both high fineness production and production flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamics by making the grinding configuration adjustable and adaptable. The second vertical roller mill can be dynamically activated or deactivated based on energy supply conditions, and the classifier settings can be adjusted to achieve different fineness levels, providing both high manufacturing precision and production flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the second mill is constantly operated to maintain desired fineness levels, then consistent product quality is achieved, but energy consumption increases and production flexibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefineness consistencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic action by operating the second vertical roller mill only during periods when energy supply is sufficient. The control system monitors energy availability and activates the second mill accordingly, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining fineness consistency when the second mill is operational

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies parameter changes by adjusting the operational parameters of the grinding plant based on energy supply conditions. When energy is abundant, the second mill operates at full capacity; when energy is limited, the system adjusts by operating only the first mill with modified parameters, balancing energy consumption with product quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If a two-stage grinding plant with fixed configuration is used, then grinding efficiency is maintained, but the ability to produce customized cements with different properties is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrinding efficiencyVSAvoidproduct customization
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamics by making the grinding configuration adaptable to different production requirements. The second vertical roller mill can be selectively activated based on desired cement properties, and classifier settings can be dynamically adjusted to produce customized cements with different fineness levels while maintaining grinding efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies universality by designing the second vertical roller mill as a multi-functional unit that can be used for different grinding tasks depending on energy supply and product requirements. The same equipment serves both as a capacity booster during high-energy periods and as a customization tool for producing specialized cements, eliminating the need for separate dedicated equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables the production of customized cements with adjustable fineness up to 800 m^2/kg and reduces the need for constant operation of secondary grinding equipment, utilizing the agitator ball mill only when energy capacity is sufficient.

Implementation Method 1

Due to the large number of grinding media and the high kinetic energy of the grinding media introduced by the agitator of the agitator ball mill

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectKinetic energy:

Implementation Method 2

the cement starting material, which consists of cement clinker and other additives such as silica dust, pozzolan, fly ash, burnt slate, limestone and/or blast furnace slag and/or sulfate carriers, is ground in at least one ball mill and then divided into fines and coarse material in a classifier

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectClassification:

Data Source

PatentEP3665133B1Method and plant for producing cement
Publication Date: 2021.06.02 THYSSENKRUPP IND SOLUTIONS AG
  • EP3665133B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3665133B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3665133B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing cement, wherein cement starting material is ground in at least one ball mill and is subsequently separated into fine material and coarse material in a classifier, the coarse material being fed to the ball mill again. Subsequently, the fine material of the classifier is quantitatively divided into a first partial amount and a second partial amount. The first partial amount forms a first cement, while the second partial amount of the fine material is fed to a dry-operated stirred ball mill for further grinding and the resulting second cement is selectively mixed with the first cement or used as a separate product.