FLSmidth has been awarded a contract for process and quality optimisation of 17 cement plants recently acquired by the CRH Group, based in Dublin, Ireland using FLSmidth's ECS/ProcessExpert and QCX/BlendExpert products. FLSmidth's ECS/Process Expert system stabilises the process of the plant, optimises the production, manages and corrects process disruptions and minimises wear on plant equipment - all to ensure optimum plant performance. By improving equipment availability and utilisation, the system helps reduce operational and maintenance costs.

FLSmidth's QCX/Blend Expert system controls the proportioning of raw material feed to raw mills to obtain the desired chemical product quality with respect to chemical constraints, process constraints and material costs. The order is the large advanced process optimisation project awarded to FLSmidth and includes process optimisation of 12 kilns and 40 grinding mills, as well as quality optimisation of 14 raw mills. In addition, the order includes a service agreement, covering all 66 applications, where FLSmidth will provide 24/7 support and ongoing remote monitoring and optimisation by its process specialists.

CRH chose FLSmidth's solution due to FLSmidth's process knowledge and technologically superior solutions, as well as FLSmidth's ability to deliver the large number of systems within 14 months.