Granulation by agglomeration of ceramic compositions ground in dry phase

摘要

The invention relates to the granulation by agglomeration of ceramic compositions ground in dry phase. The invention proposes an alternative to the method of wet-phase grinding and drying by atomization. The method consists of dry-phase grinding and preparing argillaceous ceramic compositions without binders, additives, or deflocculants from argillaceous minerals (about 60%) mixed with inorganic materials, grain sizes of less than 120 micrometers, in a horizontal rotary cylindrical device with deflecting paddles, the intake of said minerals, powdery materials and water takes place at one end of said device; and granules that are moved by said deflecting paddles are formed due to the rotation of said device. The outlet of the granulated material is at the opposite end of said device. The invention offers the following advantages: energy savings of 80%; savings in water consumption during granulation of 75-80% and 10-20% of additional savings in the pressure for pressing the granules. The time necessary to change from one ceramic composition to another is one hour, compared with several days using the current method of atomization. The method of granulation constitutes a novel environmental technology with zero air and water table pollution, and with much lower water consumption.

主权项

1. A method of granulation by agglomeration of argillaceous ceramic compositions ground in dry phase, comprising the steps of:
introducing, at room temperature, a ceramic composition of powdery components in dry phase with grain sizes of less than 120 micrometers, obtained from ground argillaceous minerals and inorganic material, in a horizontally arranged cylindrical device through a first end, the composition content being up to 60% of argillaceous mineral components with respect to the total introduced; introducing a specific amount of water without binders or additives in the cylindrical device, the specific amount of water determined based on the introduced ceramic composition and on the granulation to be obtained; continuously granulating said ceramic composition of powdery components non-stop inside the cylindrical device by moving said components for the formation of granules from said first end to a second end due to the rotating action of a central shaft with perpendicular bars provided with paddles at the ends thereof, the rotational speed of the shaft being between 500 and 3,000 rpm, maintaining the rotational speed and the amount of water constant when granulating the ceramic composition of powdery components, the rotational speed determined based on the introduced ceramic composition and on the granulation to be obtained; and extracting the granulated material from the cylindrical device through said second end.