Following a request from the University of NSW (UNSW), 24 second-year materials science students visited our Berrima Cement Works in late October.
In addition to generally learning more about the cement-making process and industry, the educational visit aimed to assist the students in completing a comparative report about sustainable cement processing options that they need to do as part of their studies.
Upon arrival, the Berrima team welcomed the students, took them through a safety induction and then gave a presentation about the history of the Berrima Cement Works, capacity upgrades undertaken at the facility and the contribution of Boral cement to the infrastructure of Australia.
Gabriel Paicu, Berrima’s Technical Manager, took students through the process/operations of materials, material handling, raw grinding, pyro processing, fossil fuels, alternative fuels and grinding parts.
The students showed great interest in pyro processing, chemical reactions and heat transfer components, in particular.
A few aspects of cement making that the students were taken through included:
- Wet processing vs dry processing
- Fossil fuels vs alternative fuels
- Limestone vs alternative raw materials
Students took a tour of the Central Control Room (CCR) and were shown the process of equipment control parameters, logic and alarms. They then visited the CCR roof to see the kiln and preheater tower and get a general view of the plant.
The students were very enthusiastic, passionate and eager to learn more about the cement industry, indicating that the future of engineering in Australia is in good hands. Hopefully one day some of the students will come and join the Boral team.