To provide more eco-friendly building materials to the construction industry in eastern Canada, Lafarge is changing the way it produces cement at its plant in Bath, Ontario.
Since its creation in 1973, the Lafarge Bath Cement Plant has held significant importance in Canada. With more than 100 skilled workers, the plant currently produces more than 1.1 million tons of cement per year.
The Lafarge plant is responsible for supplying cement to several major infrastructure projects that contribute to the growth and development of several local cities.
Lafarge to create OneCem
Rather than continuing to produce general use cement (GU), the plant is being retrofitted to create OneCem, a product that generates less carbon dioxide.
While production of OneCem generates less CO2, its use also reduces the carbon footprint of construction projects. Typically cement represents only 11 per cent of a concrete mix, but it may account for 80 per cent of all energy to produce concrete.
The conversion to OneCem is part of Lafarge’s plan to reduce its carbon footprint that will save more than 140,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year
As part of the Lafarge cement plant retrofit, the kiln dryer required replacement. Sarens was responsible for the removal of the old kiln dryer and the installation of the new unit.
The kiln is the part in charge of drying cement during the manufacturing process, so it plays a key role in cement production going forward.
To meet the Lafarge project’s objectives, Sarens had a one-week deadline to remove the old kiln and transport, lift and install the new one. To meet the deadlines, Sarens had a week before the start of the lift to ensure the conditions were suitable and to assemble the crane that would later carry out the lifting of the furnace, saving valuable time to meet the proposed objectives.
For the required lifts, Sarens utilized some of its most experienced operators to ensure the safe and efficient execution of the project.
Liebherr LR1600
A Liebherr LR1600 crawler crane was also required, a model with a maximum 660-ton lifting capacity. The crane was configured with 48 metres of main boom and 36 metres of derrick mast, weighing a total of 231,935 kg.
Counterweight requirements for the lift included 65 tons of counterweight in the carbody, 150 tons in the superstructure and an additional 250 tons in the superlift tray, adding up to a total weight of 696,803 kg.
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“The features of the LR1600 added to the smooth execution of lifting the 664-ton furnace that the LR was commissioned to lift,” said Luke Goodfellow, Sarens Area Manager.
“With skilled and professional personnel paired with the powerful LR1600 crawler crane, Sarens was able to exceed expectations for this project.”
Sarens provides crane rental, heavy lift and engineered transportation services. The company maintains one of the world’s largest inventories of cranes, transporters and special rigging equipment.
With more than 100 entities in 65 countries, Sarens employs more than 4,500 people worldwide.
