To save energy, modern cement plants preheat the materials in a preheater tower before they enter the kiln. From the preheater, the material now enters the kiln at the upper or feed end. They emerge from the lower end of the kiln as a new substance, red-hot particles called clinker. It's now considered portland cement. From the grinding mills, the cement is conveyed to silos where it awaits shipment.
Most cement is shipped in bulk by transport trucks or railroad cars.
Some of the finished product is bagged for customers who need only small amounts of cement. Copyright Lehigh Portland Cement Company, All Rights Reserved.