Cement

SAMPLE PROBLEMS
Components of Portland Cement
Tricalcium Silicate (C3S) hardens rapidly and is largely responsible for initial set and early
strength. In general, the early strength of Portland cement concrete is higher with increased
percentages of C3S.
Dicalcium Silicate (C2S) hardens slowly and contributes largely to strength increases at ages
beyond 7 days.
Tricalcium Aluminate (C3A) liberates a large amount of heat during the first few days of
hardening and, together with C3S and C2S may somewhat increase the early strength of the
hardening cement (this effect being due to the considerable heat of hydration that this
compound evolves). It does affect set times.
Tetracalcium Aluminoferrite (C4AF) contributes very slightly to strength gain. However, acts as a
flux during manufacturing. Contributes to the color effects that makes cement gray. It affect the
clinkering temperature
A cement clinker contains 22.3 % SiO2, 6 % Al2O3, 2.2 % Fe2O3, 63.8 % CaO, 5.2 % MgO.
Calculate the composition of the solid product in terms of the actual chemical compounds
present.
Compounds present Basis: 100 g of Cement clinkers
3CaO.SiO2 mass MM mole
SiO2 22.3 ÷ 60 0.3717
2CaO.SiO2
Al2O3 6 ÷ 102 0.0588
3CaO.Al2O3 Fe2O3 2.2 ÷ 160 0.01375
4CaO.Al2O3.Fe2O3 CaO 63.8 ÷ 56 1.1393

MgO
Compounds present Basis: 100 g of Cement clinkers
3CaO.SiO2 mass MM mole
SiO2 22.3 ÷ 60 0.3717
2CaO.SiO2
Al2O3 6 ÷ 102 0.0588
3CaO.Al2O3
Fe2O3 2.2 ÷ 160 0.01375
4CaO.Al2O3.Fe2O3 CaO 63.8 ÷ 56 1.1393
MgO

mole 4CaO.Al2O3.Fe2O3 = 0.01375

mole 3CaO.Al2O3 = 0.0588 - 0.01375 = 0.04505
mole remaining CaO = 1.1393 - 3(0.04505) - 4(0.01375) = 0.94915
Compounds present Basis: 100 g of Cement clinkers
3CaO.SiO2 mass MM mole
SiO2 22.3 ÷ 60 0.3717
2CaO.SiO2
Al2O3 6 ÷ 102 0.0588
3CaO.Al2O3
Fe2O3 2.2 ÷ 160 0.01375
4CaO.Al2O3.Fe2O3 CaO 63.8 ÷ 56 1.1393
MgO
mole remaining CaO = 1.1393 - 3(0.04505) - 4(0.01375) = 0.94915
3x + 2y = 0.94915
x + y = 0.3717
x = 0.20575
y = 0.16595
Basis: 100 g of Cement clinkers
mole MM mass % mass
3CaO.SiO2 0.20575 x 228 = 46.911 47.15
2CaO.SiO2 0.16595 x 172 = 28.543 28.69
3CaO.Al2O3 0.04505 x 270 = 12.164 12.23
4CaO.Al2O3.Fe2O3 0.01375 x 486 = 6.683 6.72
MgO 5.2 5.23
S 99.501
The charge to a Portland cement rotary kiln contains 20 % dried building clay (72 % wt SiO 2, 16
% Al2O3, 7 % Fe2O3, 1.7 % K2O, 3.3 % Na2O) and 80 % limestone (95 wt % CaCO3, 5 %
impurities). When the temperature reaches about 900 oC, the calcinations of limestone to
lime and carbon dioxide occurs. As the temperature continuous to rise to about 1450 oC, the
lime reacts with the minerals in the clay to form such compounds as 3CaO.SiO2, 2CaO.SiO2,
3CaO.Al2O3, 4CaO.Al2O3.Fe2O3. The flowrate of CO2 from the kiln is 1250 m3/h at 1000 oC and 1
atm. Calculate the feed rates of clay and limestone (kg/h) and the weight percent of Fe2O3 in
the final cement.
 F2 80 % of Total Feed is limestone
 
CaCO3  CaO + CO2
F1 95 wt % CaCO 3
nCO2 =
20 % of Total Feed is 5 % impurities =
dried building clay 72 % wt SiO2 1000 oC and 1 atm.
C balance
16 % Al2O3 Kiln CO2 = 1250 m3/h
0.95 F2 ( = 11.96
7 % Fe2O3 F2 = 1258.9 kg
1.7 % K2O Product, P
F1 = 1258.9 ) = 314.7 kg
3.3 % Na2O 3CaO.SiO2
OMB
2CaO.SiO2 314.7 + 1258.9 = P + 11.96(44)
Required: Flow rate of F1 and F2 3CaO.Al2O3 P = 1047.4 kg
% Fe2O3 in P = x 100 = 2.1 %
% Fe2O3 in P 4CaO.Al2O3.Fe2O3

Basis: 1 hr operation