Blending and control systems technologies for cement raw materials revisited - PGNA analyzer application review - An example from Lafarge's Davenport plant in Buffalo, Iowa Usa

During the past 10 years, the cement-industry application of PGNA on-line analysis in the raw-mix logic of both new plants and as a retrofit has grown from a recent innovation to an industry standard practice. The variety of applications has grown and presents a challenge to designers to choose the optimum raw-mix logic. This paper briefly reviews the applications of analyzers and highlights some applications yet to come. The paper includes an in-depth discussion of one such application at Lafarge's Davenport plant where an analyzer and software substitute for further investment in feed equipment while enabling effective raw-mix control.