Text version of the page

Creating a Platform of Productivity for the Gypsum Market

Clyde

TRANSFORMING PROCESSES NO LIMITS INFINITE POSSIBILITIES

Materials Handling

Gypsum is a mineral used prevalently in themanufacture of gypsum wallboard, often referred to as plasterboard or drywall. Gypsum wallboard is used as a material in the construction industry and is being increasingly regarded as an environmentally friendly product due to its thermal insulation, sound insulation and pollutant protection characteristics. Global production of wallboard is forecast to continue to grow by 6per cent year-on-year, for the next few years, with production rising to 8230Mm

2

bythe end of 2007.

In an effort to sustain the growing global demand forwallboard many of the leading operators have extended and expanded their current production facilities, whilst developing new production plants.One of the raw materials that is now being more commonlyutilised in the production of gypsum wallboard is desulphogypsum (DSG). DSG is a synthetic form of gypsum derived from fossil-fuelled sources and is being used as a viable substitute to mined gypsum. Of the many new production facilities being built around the world, most will be utilising DSG as a raw material.In recent years, Clyde Materials Handling has developed aseries of pneumatic conveying solutions, which have the ability to transport mineral gypsum, DSG and other materials and additives used in the manufacture of both wallboard and plaster.

Transforming Processes

Clyde Materials Handling is an established customer-drivensolutions provider, which utilises its knowledge, expertise and technologies to transform the production processes of itscustomers who operate within the gypsum industry.Clyde Materials Handling has helped their global gypsumcustomer base transform the way in which they operate their processes, which has enabled them to generate sustainable economic benefits and maintain their positions as leaders in their market.Clyde has used its Research, Development and Testing facilityto analyse and test various materials used in the production of wallboard and plaster. By utilising this approach, Clyde Materials Handling has been able to identify the most energy efficient and economically beneficial solution to successfully conveying materials in the gypsum market.Clyde’s pneumatic conveying solutions have been able totransport various materials in an unrestricted, controlled and continuous manner at low velocity, consuming low volumes of compressed air.Close customer communication has resulted in the creation ofunique and innovative solutions which have been able to handle DSG, which is a notoriously difficult material to convey pneumatically. Clyde developed a pioneering conveying technology called Autoflow, which is a specially adapted solution designed to handle abrasive and arduous materials in the gypsum industry, such as pre calcined DSG, calcined DSG, oversized stucco, glass reinforced gypsum (GRG) and heat resistant accelerators (HRA). Clyde’s pneumatic conveying solutions have also handled materials such as mineral gypsum, stucco, vermiculite, perlite, edge trim and lime, which are used in the production of wallboard and plaster. All of Clyde Materials Handling’s conveying solutions areenhanced through the use of the Clyde Dome Valve, widely regarded as the best material handling valve in the world. The Clyde Dome Valve has the ability to cut through static or moving columns of material through the use of its innovative inflatable seal mechanism, ensuring that a consistent