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Moisture measurement in bulk solids including RMC

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Time Domain Refractometry (TDR) is a method used to measure the dielectric constant (water content) of a material.

Time Domain Refractometry (TDR) is a method used to measure the dielectric constant (water content) of a material. Metal conductors or rods are used as wave guides for the transmission of the TDR-signal. The device generates a high-frequency-pulse (up to 1GHz) which propagates along the wave guides at the speed near to light, generating an electromagnetic field around the probe. At the end of the wave guides, the pulse is reflected to its source. The resulting transit time from picoseconds to nanoseconds and dielectric constant provide an accurate measurement of moisture content. The moisture content is calculated inside the device and is available at standard analogue outputs.

IMKO, a German company, which part of the Endress+Hauser Group has developed a patented measuring method called TRIME® TDR method. With this technology it is possible to measure the transit time with a resolution of 3 picoseconds. The TRIME® TDR method has been successfully used more than 30 years in the process industry.

The TRIME® TDR -technique has an ideal measuring frequency between 600MHz and 1.2GHz and the measuring field penetrates deep into the material. The electromagnetic pulses generated in the TRIME device are high enough and constant for good resolution and accuracy of measurement. In addition, disturbing influences such as electrical conductivity have nearly no effect. Precise moisture can be measured in temperatures up to 120°C. TRIME® TDR technology is used in Solitrend product which helps to increase product quality and reduce energy efforts due to precise moisture measurement.

The senor used in Solitrend is in direct contact with the material. Calibration is a simple linear equation. Measurement field adapts itself to the shape of material and is quite large. It is also undisturbed by dripping water, air and dirt. The probes are extremely rugged for exceptionally long operational life. It also replaces time consuming lab analysis and manual sampling with continuous online measurement.

Both In line as well as portable probes measurements are available.

Application

  • The building industry. Moisture measurement in Ready Mix Concrete.
  • In line moisture content measurement in bulk material or goods like wood chips, pellets, animal food etc.
  • The glass and ceramics industry like silica sand, moulding sand, ceramics mass.
  • Food Industry. Malting plants, Corn, Sludge drying, Fluid bed dryers (inlet/outlet).

Limitations of other methods

Capacitance method – This method works with single measuring frequencies between 5-80MHz. The dielectric constant is influenced both by moisture and salinity. It is very difficult to distinguish between the two influences and precise moisture measurements are difficult to achieve.

Microwave method – The frequencies of microwave techniques are generally higher than 2GHz. This technique leads to loss in resolution and accuracy of measurement having negative influence on the readings.

Conductance or Resistance method – This method have very low measuring frequencies of about 4kHz. There is a strong influence of different salinity of the bulk material on the measurement. The difference in salinity is caused by different mineral contents temperature. Another problem of resistance method is the low penetration depth of the measuring field.

Near-Infrared method (NIR)-This method shows a very lower penetration depth and, therefore, considerable influences of material surface and thickness.

Scan the QR code for more information or write to us on info.in.sc@endress.com.

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Concrete

30-Day Traffic Diversion In Place For CC Road Works In Madhapur

Diversions in place from May 16 for cement concrete road works

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The Cyberabad Traffic Police issued a traffic advisory as road works begin for the laying of a cement concrete (CC) road from Jaya Shankar Statue to RRR Restaurant at Parvathnagar in Madhapur limits. The advisory indicated that traffic diversions will be in place for 30 days from May 16 to ensure the smooth flow of vehicles and to minimise congestion on the affected stretch. The measure aims to balance uninterrupted construction activity with the movement needs of commuters.

Traffic moving from Toddy Compound towards Parvathnagar village will be diverted at Parvathnagar junction towards Sunnam Cheruvu and the 100 feet road. Local motorists and public transport operators have been advised to follow the diversionary route as directed by traffic personnel on duty. Alternate routes and signage have been planned to mitigate delays and to manage peak hour congestion.

Police officials said the diversion had been planned to facilitate uninterrupted road works while maintaining traffic movement in the area. Commuters were urged to plan their travel accordingly and to cooperate with traffic staff managing the stretch. Authorities indicated that enforcement of diversions would be active and that violations could attract penalties.

The 30 day schedule is intended to allow contractors to complete the laying and curing phases with minimal interruption to vehicular flow. Residents and businesses in adjacent localities have been advised to factor the diversion into deliveries and travel plans. The traffic police promised continuous monitoring of the works and the operational diversions and emphasised that temporary inconvenience was necessary for longer term improvement of the road network. Traffic personnel will be stationed at key junctions and additional signage and temporary markings will be displayed to guide motorists and pedestrians through the revised alignments while public transport services will follow the diversion where feasible and operators have been asked to adjust timetables to minimise disruption.

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Concrete

HeidelbergCement India Receives Consent For Khandwa Grinding Unit

Consent granted by Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board

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HeidelbergCement India (HeidelbergCement India) has received regulatory consent to establish a cement blending and grinding unit at Village Dongaliya, Tehsil Punasa, District Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh. The consent was granted by the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and is dated 17 May 2026. The company disclosed the development in a filing made under Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.

The project plan envisages procurement of long term availability of fly ash and the allotment of land on lease for setting up the unit. The proposed facility is described as a blending and grinding installation which will process cementitious materials sourced from nearby operations and suppliers. Company filings state the measures required to secure raw material logistics and statutory compliance before commencing construction.

The addition of a grinding unit in Khandwa is intended to strengthen regional supply and improve logistical efficiency by reducing haulage distances for finished product. The unit is expected to complement existing capacities in central India and to offer flexibility in product mix through blending operations. The reliance on fly ash as a supplementary cementitious material will necessitate long term supply agreements with thermal power producers and coordination with waste utilisation policies.

The disclosure to the regulator and to the stock exchanges follows standard corporate governance practice and aims to keep investors apprised of capital expenditure initiatives. The company indicated that subsequent permits and clearances would be sought in accordance with applicable environmental and land use rules. The project is presented as part of HeidelbergCement India’s broader strategy to optimise capacity distribution and to respond to regional demand dynamics.

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Concrete

PROMECON introduces infrared-based tertiary air measurement system for cement kilns

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The new solution promisescontinuous, real-time tertiary air flow measurement in cement plant operations.

PROMECON GmbH has launched the McON IR Compact, an infrared-based measuring system designed to deliver continuous, real-time tertiary air flow measurement in cement plant operations. The system addresses the longstanding process control challenge of accurate tertiary air monitoring under extreme kiln conditions. It uses patented infrared time-of-flight measurement technology that operates without calibration or maintenance intervention.

Precise tertiary air measurement is a critical requirement for stable rotary kiln operation. The McON IR Compact is engineered to function reliably at temperatures up to 1,200°C and in the presence of abrasive clinker dust. Its vector-based digital measurement architecture ensures that readings remain unaffected by swirl, dust deposits or drift. Due to these conditions conventional measurement systems in pyroprocess environments are often compromised.

The system is fully non-intrusive and requires no K-factors, recalibration or periodic readjustment, enabling years of uninterrupted operation. This design directly supports plant availability and reduces the maintenance overhead typically associated with process instrumentation in high-temperature zones.

PROMECON has deployed the McON IR Compact at multiple cement facilities, including Warta Cement in Poland. Plant operators report that the system has aided in identifying blockages, optimising purging cycles for gas burners, and supplying accurate flow data for AI-based process optimisation programmes. The practical outcomes include more stable kiln operation, improved process control, and earlier detection of process disturbances.

On the energy side, real-time tertiary air data enables reduction in induced draft fan load and helps flatten process oscillations across the pyroprocess. This translates to lower fuel and energy consumption, fewer unplanned shutdowns, and a measurable reduction in NOx peaks. This directly reflects on the downstream cost implications for plants operating SCR or SNCR systems for emissions compliance.

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