Arrange the following major stages of cement manufacturing in the correct chronological sequence, from initial raw material handling to the final product stage.
- 1Quarrying and extraction of limestone and clay from natural deposits
- 2Crushing and blending limestone with clay in exact proportions to form raw meal
- 3Heating the raw meal mixture at high temperatures in a rotary kiln to produce clinker
- 4Grinding cooled clinker together with a small percentage of gypsum to form fine cement powder
Answer
The correct sequence of cement production is: Extraction of limestone and clay, Crushing and blending raw meal, Heating in a rotary kiln to produce clinker, and Grinding clinker with gypsum.
Cement manufacturing begins with raw material extraction from quarries (limestone and clay). These raw materials are crushed and blended to form raw meal. The mixture is then calcined in a rotary kiln at temperatures up to 1450 °C to form clinker nodules. Finally, clinker is pulverized with a small quantity of gypsum (to retard flash setting) to produce commercial cement powder.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Raw material processing sequence in cement chemical industry