Fig 1. Cement Plant Layout

Prior to starting work on general arrangement drawings, the Owner agrees to a set of codes and design criteria that will govern the design of the new plant. Another key component is a survey of the area, which is especially important for a Brownfield plant expansion.

The GA review should start in the conceptual planning stages to assure an optimum and economical equipment arrangement.

Stairs provide the primary access to floors, platforms, walkways and equipment. Equipment located more than 2 meters above floor level should be provided with stairs and a platform for access. Ladders are not used except where space is limited. It is also acceptable to use a ladder to access nuisance dust filters or some instruments to which stair access is not practical.

Layouts should provide a minimum 1 meter clearance for walkway areas and maintenance access around equipment. Some equipment requires additional space for maintenance; i.e., removal of components. Standard mandatory height clearance in access platforms need to be at least 2.2 meters minimum in all areas.

Fig 2. Belt Conveyor Arrangement with Platform Accessible by Stairs

The optimization of conveying equipment to minimize its length needs to be done without compromising design parameters. Several factors that should be reviewed include the air gravity conveyor’s slope angle, the conveyor’s load angle, speed and radius, chute angles, apron feeder’s load angles, etc.

Fig 3. Belt Conveyor Loading, Transport, and Discharge Arrangement

Various configurations of material transfer chutes are used in plant design. Considerations for chute designs should include the type and characteristics of the material handled such as particle size, moisture content, flow characteristics, and abrasiveness. Chute slope angles are specified in the Design Criteria and shall be steep enough for material to flow by gravity. Chutes having long vertical drops shall be “laddered” down in order to control momentum.

Overhead hoist beams for equipment maintenance should be provided when the equipment is not accessible by mobile hoists or when the equipment cannot be handled manually. Maximum hoist loads must be indicated on the GAs. For example, equipment that should be provided with overhead hoists includes crushers, process fans, clinker breakers, bucket elevators, pumps, air compressors, equipment drives, etc. For large equipment like roller mills, a bridge crane should be provided.

Fig 4. Hoist to Service Bucket Elevator and Belt Conveyor Drives

Dust suppression systems should be considered where dust is generated. Proper dust suppression systems are normally used at emission points followed by adequate filter sizing, and material discharge. GAs are reviewed to ensure that dust suppression/collection parameters in the Design Criteria are being followed.

Fig 5. Dust Control System at Material Transfer

Special attention shall be provided to explosion vents. Design shall ensure that no structure or walkway is close to the expansion wave from an explosion.

The above directions are general guidelines, but revisions that have a greater scope may apply depending on regulations and the Owner’s specific requirements.

The general arrangement review ensures an optimum design and an efficient and cost-effective equipment layout, adequate accessibility to install and service equipment, and a safe and dust-free workplace.

The main contributor to this article was Pompeyo D. Ríos, Senior Consultant & Project Manager – at PEC Consulting Group. Mr. Ríos has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the Universidad Metropolitana, Caracas, Venezuela, and a Master’s in Business Administration, Finance and Accounting from Regis University, Denver, CO

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