Boosting cement grinding efficiency: How polycarboxylate ether and triethanolamine work together

Abstract

Grinding is one of the most energy-intensive and costly processes in cement production, consuming nearly two-fifths of the total electrical energy. To enhance efficiency and mitigate environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas emissions and energy waste, grinding aids (GAs) are widely utilized, with amine-and glycol-based additives being the most common. While these additives enhance grinding efficiency and cement properties, they can negatively affect setting time and fluidity. Polycarboxylate ether-based water-reducing admixtures (PCEs) have emerged as promising alternatives due to their similar mechanisms of action. Studies indicate that PCEs can achieve comparable grinding efficiencies to conventional GAs, and their combination with triethanolamine (TEA) offers further performance benefits. This study investigated the time-dependent grinding efficiency of cement when TEA and PCE were used individually and in combination. A Bond ball mill was used for grinding experiments, with TEA, PCE, and a combined P-TEA additive (PCE and TEA in a 1:1 ratio) added at 0.05% of the total clinker and gypsum weight. Blaine fineness values (cm²/g) were measured after 2000, 4000, and 6000 grinding cycles. All GA types improved Blaine fineness compared to control cement, confirming their effectiveness. Among them, the P-TEA combination exhibited the highest performance, demonstrating a synergistic effect between PCE and TEA. These findings highlight the potential of combining PCE with traditional GAs to optimize grinding efficiency and cement performance. The superior results achieved with P-TEA suggest that tailored formulations integrating PCEs with conventional GAs could enhance both grinding efficiency and cementitious properties, contributing to more sustainable cement production.