Problem
The Secil Group, one of Portugal's leading cement producers since 1930, operates three cement plants in Portugal, with an annual production capacity of around 4 million tons. The Secil-Outão plant, certified for its commitment to sustainability and adherence to international standards, was exploring ways to revamp its existing preheating tower to optimize material flow and enhance production efficiency. Excessive buildup in the kiln inlet, smoke chamber, calciner, and cyclones was compromising plant performance, leading to reduced productivity, increased downtime, and higher maintenance costs.
Solution
As a result of the 'Walk the Preheater Audit' conducted by Meteoro, Martin's distributor in Portugal, several solutions were recommended to address the issue, maximize cleaning efficiency, and enhance safety. Martin® Hurricane Air Cannons, known for their highly effective and compact design, were proposed to keep material moving. In total, sixty-seven Martin® Hurricane Air Cannons, with varying capacities (35-liter, 70-liter, and 150-liter), were strategically installed according to the plant's design. These were paired with SMART™ Series High-Temp Nozzles, which can be accessed without removing the air cannons, and Thermo Safety Shields, which act as a safety barrier, enabling timely and safe maintenance of air cannon systems.
Results
Six months after installation, the plant's team observed a significant reduction in material buildups, leading to optimized material flow, reduced downtime, and improved production efficiency. Enhanced safety through the minimization of potential hazards was another key benefit for both the plant and its employees. The company expressed satisfaction with the system's performance and the comprehensive technical support provided throughout the project.