*Cement Factories*
These are industrial plants that make *Portland cement* - the grey powder that binds sand + stone to make concrete.
# *How a Cement Factory Works*
The process has 4 main stages:
# *1. Raw Materials*
- *Limestone* ∼80% - main source of calcium
- *Clay/Shale/Sand* - source of silica, alumina, iron
- *Gypsum* - added at the end to control setting time
# *2. Crushing + Grinding*
Raw materials are crushed, dried, and ground into "raw meal" powder.
# *3. Burning in Kiln - The main step*
Raw meal is heated to *1450°C* in a huge rotary kiln.
This makes *clinker* - small grey nodules. Chemical reaction releases CO2 here.
Fuel used: coal, natural gas, petcoke, sometimes waste/rubbish.
# *4. Grinding + Packing*
Clinker + 3-5% gypsum is ground into fine cement powder.