Reviewing a Decade of Online Particle Sizing

Zementwerk Berlin GmbH & Co KG has been using Insitec on-line laser diffraction particle sizing (Malvern Instruments) systems to optimize cement production for more than a decade. This collaborative article reviews the company’s experience of real-time particle sizing, examining the implementation of closed loop control and the economic benefits that advanced control strategies have delivered. These include an increase in plant throughput of 2%. The use of on-line analysis in the production of ‘environmentally friendly’ slag cements is a particular focus.