News

NEW ALLIANCE: COMAST and FCT ACTech

FCT ACTech is proud to announce its new partnership with COMAST Group—an alliance that brings together decades of expertise in material analysis and process optimization. COMAST, which includes the companies Comast, Symtek, and Xamtec, delivers advanced solutions across a wide range of industries such as cement, mining, metals, polymers, and hydrocarbons in South America. Renowned for their excellence in X-Ray Spectrometry, COMAST is committed to developing and sharing applied knowledge that drives quality and efficiency in industrial processes.

Through this partnership, FCT ACTech and COMAST will jointly support customers in:

• Enhancing process optimization and quality control
• Advancing environmental monitoring
• Reducing waste and increasing recovery rates
• Achieving fuel and energy efficiency
• Lowering operational and labor-related costs

Together, our teams offer a full-scope approach—from sample collection and preparation to analysis and metrological validation of results. In addition to state-of-the-art analytical instruments, COMAST provides tailored training and consulting services, backed by their own X-Ray Fluorescence and Diffraction laboratory in Bogotá, Colombia.

With over 30 years of experience, COMAST’s technical expertise and customer-centric approach make them a trusted partner for improving quality assurance, material analysis, and process control. This collaboration reinforces both companies’ commitment to delivering innovation and measurable value to customers in Americas.

OPTIMUM UTILISATION OF ENERGY RESOURCES 

OPTIMUM UTILISATION OF ENERGY RESOURCES AND REDUCING CO₂FOOTPRINT USING ON-LINE ANALYSER IN ALUMINIUM PRODUCTION PROCESS

Presentation made by Tamal K. Ghosh¹, Primal Chakraborty¹and Roger Meier² 

¹ICON Scientific Systems, Kolkata, India ²FCT ACTech Adelaide, Australia

Introduction of a new HRF measurement concept called HRTC

HRTC XRF ™stands for high-resolution real time continuous X-ray fluorescence. 

The availability of highly efficient, compact, solid-state energy dispersive XRF detectors opened the opportunity to build on-line x-ray systems, where the sample is presented on a continuous moving support plate to the x-ray beam and simultaneously the relevant x-ray response signal is collected. 

The compact design of the beam path completes the set-up for high obtainable count rates. 

“Wiser with ANALYSERS”, Dr.-Ing. Roger Meier, FCT-Actech

FREE DOWNLOAD

Dr.-Ing. Roger Meier explains why online analysers should form part of every cement plant’s CO2 emissions reduction strategy.

“X-Ray Vision”, Peter Storer, R&D Manager, FCT ACTech. Published in World Cement, July 2019

FREE DOWNLOAD

In “X-ray Vision”, Dr Peter Storer discusses the use of X-ray fluorescence for raw mix control.

Please fill out the form to access your free download of the article.

Successful RMX commissioning in Florida

Successful RMX commissioning in Florida

This month, we successfully commissioned an RMX for a cement plant in Florida, USA. The RMX Raw Meal Analyzer directly measures the elements Ca, Si, Fe, Al, S and Mg and calculates the hypothetical compounds LSF, C3S, C2S, C3A and C4AF.

Designed for post-mill installation, RMX features large sample intake and in-built sample preparation robotics, as well as an EdXRF module with state-of-the-art SDD detector for improved accuracy and repeatability.

Benefits include:

• Highly representative elemental analysis, taking into account recirculating kiln dust
• Incorporates sample preparation robotics and presentation system
• Accurate and repeatable results with virtually ‘zero’ drift
• Large sample size of 50-100g/min (1/4 pound per minute)
• 20 complete data points per hour
• Complete analysis of all major elements (Al, Fe, Si, Ca) plus S, Mg and (optional) Na and K
• Unique post mill installation ensures bias-free material presentation
• Stable, accurate calibration
• Compact size adapts easily to existing plant layouts
• Smart design for ease of use and increased safety
• Industrial grade touchscreen interface for local diagnostics, operation, and control

For more information about RMX, or to download the brochure, please click here

RMX delivers results

RMX Delivers Results

The first RMX analyzer for raw mix control was commissioned in December 2018 for a plant in Alabama, USA. RMX analyzes raw meal with elemental data updates every 2 minutes, with the real time data stream enabling frequent raw mix feeder adjustments in kiln feed LSF and C3S variation.

Since commissioning, the plant has reported excellent results achieved through the at-line installation of the RMX. Raw meal variation has been reduced by 44%, resulting in significant improvement to kiln feed variability, while clinker free lime variability has also been measurably reduced.

“The kiln operators report that the mix is easier to burn, and the kiln is easier to control,” a representative said.

“Before we had to target a lower C3S to assist with kiln operation, now we can target 63-64 and achieve higher early strengths.”

The RMX is part of FCT ACTech’s X-Series range which includes a suite of analyzers for raw mix, clinker quality and cement blends control, as well as elemental and mineralogical analyzers for the mining and mineral processing industries.

The X-Series range is the next generation evolution from the same patented technologies that propelled the Continuous On-Stream Mineralogical Analyzer (COSMA) to the forefront of process control technologies 20 years ago.

To learn more about the X-Series range, please click here