The St. Marys plant has won an award from the Portland Cement Association for finding a simple solution to remove excess dust from a hot air duct used to transfer air from the kiln to the coal mill. The Company installed a diverting device in place of a pipe which used to drop the dust onto a wheelbarrow. The wheelbarrow was then moved manually. However, since dust fell onto the floor, the worker often had to push the wheelbarrow through several inches of dust. With the diverter, the dust falls directly onto the clinker belt and is removed. Not only is there no longer any need for the wheelbarrow but the dust no longer falls onto the floor and builds up.

The award is part of an annual competition held by the PCA in the United States and Canada. The aim is to recognize innovation in the areas of health and safety in the cement industry and is open to all cement manufacturing and processing plants in North America. There are about 300 entries every year. The winners are chosen on the basis of originality, cost effectiveness and the level of impact on health and safety in various areas. These include pyro-processing where the St.Marys coal mill hot air duct was chosen.

The award includes a US$800 cash prize and the plant will be recognized at the IEEE-IAS/PCA 47th Cement Industry Technical Conference to be held in Kansas City in May. The winning entry will also be featured in the May/June issue of Cement Americas magazine.