Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How does the semidry process of cement manufacturing work?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Cement
The cement-making process, from crushing and grinding of raw materials, through roasting of the ground and mixed ingredients, to final cooling and storing of the finished product.
In the semidry process of cement manufacturing, raw materials are first ground dry and then moistened to form nodules containing 10 to 15 percent water.12
These nodules are fed onto a traveling chain grate before they enter a shorter rotary kiln. As the hot gases from the kiln are drawn through the raw nodules on the grate, the material is effectively preheated. This method serves as an intermediate approach between the wet process—where materials are fed as a slurry—and the dry process, where materials are fed as a dry powder.12