Cement Industry

Silo Cleaning Services and Equipment for the Cement Industry

Solutions for Hardened Build-Up in Cement Silos, Terminals and Kilns. Clinker, raw meal, and finished cement build-up is predictable. The consequences, lost storage capacity and downtime, are not. Mole·Master® clears every cement vessel type without human entry, without water, and without taking your plant offline.

Root Causes

Solutions for Hardened Build-Up in Cement Silos, Terminals and Kilns

Mole·Master® Services Corporation has been the leader in the silo and bin cleaning industry for over 40 years. During that time, our expertise has been established in solving lost storage capacity issues and downtime, the two most common problems that arise in cement silos, plants, and terminals.

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Numerous factors can cause clogging in cement silos. Material that is not fully cooled can create condensation, which then creates moisture that causes the raw meal, finished cement, or clinker to stick together or to stick to the walls. Additionally, cement silo walls can create more clogging issues than their steel counterparts, and moisture in the air can also dampen the material, causing clogging.

One of the best ways to help prevent lost storage capacity is to schedule regular silo inspections. Mole·Master® can fully examine power house silos, pack house silos, pre-heater towers, raw meal silos, kiln feed silos, conditioning towers, and more, detecting any problems within the silo or in the structure of the silo itself. Although the news may be that there are indeed structural issues or stoppages, catching these before the problem becomes too severe can help avoid downtime and can prevent the situation from worsening rapidly. Mole·Master® recommends periodic preventative maintenance like silo cleaning for the same reasons.

How We Solve It

Non-hydraulic tools, no water, and no one goes in.

Mole·Master® considers safety job one on any job. Proprietary silo cleaning technology negates the need for human entry, and non-hydraulic tools are used, so concerns about lost material can be minimized. CO2 Blasting with Safe-T-Shot® will also be used to break up particularly tough areas of build-up. Mole·Master® works quickly, efficiently, and effectively, so even if a plant is at full stop. It will return to full functionality quickly. These services also can assist in breaking up stoppages in gypsum and limestone storage vessels.

Aerial view of cement silo complex: Big-Mole operated remotely from the roof
Big·Mole System

Remotely operated from outside the vessel.

The operator controls boom movement, cutting head speed, and vacuum extraction from a panel on the ground. No one inside a 120-foot cement silo. Works on every vessel type, powerhouse, pack house, pre-heater tower, raw meal, kiln feed.

Technician deploying Safe-T-Shot® CO2 cartridge into a cement silo bore
Safe-T-Shot®

CO₂ blasting for the toughest rings: online.

When clinker or compact cement resists mechanical tools, Safe-T-Shot® CO₂ blasting removes up to 3 tons per electrically ignited shot, without cooling the kiln, without an open flame, and without entry. Pre-heater rings and kiln build-up cleared on a live plant.

Interior of cement silo showing heavy material build-up: Arch·Master® clears channels up to 152 ft deep
Arch·Master®

Channels up to 152 ft through bridged material.

The Arch·Master® portable auger drill creates flow channels up to 152 ft (45 m) deep through arched or bridged cement without entry. Ideal for deep silos where the cutting head cannot reach from the discharge cone alone.

15k PSI
Hydro Lancing for Conveying Lines & Condenser Tubes
Cement plant exterior with bulk cement in foreground and silos behind: Mole·Master® on-site cleaning
Specialty Services For Cement Plants

More than a cleanout: a full-scope industrial service.

Mole·Master® also offers specialized on-site industrial services for cement plants and terminals, including Pipe Cleaning, Structural Inspections, Vacuum Services, and Hydroblasting. Regular preventative maintenance schedules catch problems while they’re still low-cost, avoiding emergency shutdowns later.

  • Pipe Cleaning, up to 15,000 psi hydro lancing for conveying lines and condenser tube bundles
  • Structural Inspections. Certified engineer site visit with written report
  • Vacuum Services for dust and material removal
  • Hydroblasting for system coolers, pack house floors, and equipment exteriors
  • Gypsum and limestone storage vessel cleaning alongside cement projects
Equipment Available For Cement

Purchase, rent, or turnkey service.

You can rent or purchase the Arch·Master® or the Junior 360°® and you can also purchase Safe-T-Shot® CO2 blasting equipment. Mole·Master® will assist with Safe-T-Shot® equipment inspection and tube inspection as needed. Safe-T-Shot® is also available as a turnkey service with ATF-licensed operators. Mole·Master® can also inspect and recertify any brand of CO2 equipment already on site.

Cement plant or terminal?

Tell us the vessel type and the material. We’ll handle the rest.

Contact Mole·Master® today for the expert cement silo, terminal & kiln cleaning services & equipment that you need. Pre-heater tower, raw meal silo, pack house, clinker storage, give us the vessel and the condition, and we’ll tell you exactly what the project looks like.