GB2111038A - Method for preparing ceramic material in particular mixes for tile manufacturing, and apparatus implementing said method - Google Patents

Method for preparing ceramic material in particular mixes for tile manufacturing, and apparatus implementing said method Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2111038A
GB2111038A GB08234531A GB8234531A GB2111038A GB 2111038 A GB2111038 A GB 2111038A GB 08234531 A GB08234531 A GB 08234531A GB 8234531 A GB8234531 A GB 8234531A GB 2111038 A GB2111038 A GB 2111038A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
slurry
mill
water
ceramic material
grain size
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB08234531A
Inventor
Rodiero Alieri
Filippo Marazzi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sacmi Imola SC
Ceramica Filippo Marazzi SpA
Marazzi Ceramiche SpA
Original Assignee
Sacmi Imola SC
Ceramica Filippo Marazzi SpA
Marazzi Ceramiche SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sacmi Imola SC, Ceramica Filippo Marazzi SpA, Marazzi Ceramiche SpA filed Critical Sacmi Imola SC
Publication of GB2111038A publication Critical patent/GB2111038A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G05CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05DSYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
    • G05D11/00Control of flow ratio
    • G05D11/02Controlling ratio of two or more flows of fluid or fluent material
    • G05D11/13Controlling ratio of two or more flows of fluid or fluent material characterised by the use of electric means
    • G05D11/135Controlling ratio of two or more flows of fluid or fluent material characterised by the use of electric means by sensing at least one property of the mixture
    • G05D11/137Controlling ratio of two or more flows of fluid or fluent material characterised by the use of electric means by sensing at least one property of the mixture by sensing the density of the mixture
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B02CRUSHING, PULVERISING, OR DISINTEGRATING; PREPARATORY TREATMENT OF GRAIN FOR MILLING
    • B02CCRUSHING, PULVERISING, OR DISINTEGRATING IN GENERAL; MILLING GRAIN
    • B02C17/00Disintegrating by tumbling mills, i.e. mills having a container charged with the material to be disintegrated with or without special disintegrating members such as pebbles or balls
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B02CRUSHING, PULVERISING, OR DISINTEGRATING; PREPARATORY TREATMENT OF GRAIN FOR MILLING
    • B02CCRUSHING, PULVERISING, OR DISINTEGRATING IN GENERAL; MILLING GRAIN
    • B02C25/00Control arrangements specially adapted for crushing or disintegrating
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B28WORKING CEMENT, CLAY, OR STONE
    • B28CPREPARING CLAY; PRODUCING MIXTURES CONTAINING CLAY OR CEMENTITIOUS MATERIAL, e.g. PLASTER
    • B28C7/00Controlling the operation of apparatus for producing mixtures of clay or cement with other substances; Supplying or proportioning the ingredients for mixing clay or cement with other substances; Discharging the mixture
    • B28C7/02Controlling the operation of the mixing
    • B28C7/022Controlling the operation of the mixing by measuring the consistency or composition of the mixture, e.g. with supply of a missing component
    • B28C7/024Controlling the operation of the mixing by measuring the consistency or composition of the mixture, e.g. with supply of a missing component by measuring properties of the mixture, e.g. moisture, electrical resistivity, density
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65GTRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G53/00Conveying materials in bulk through troughs, pipes or tubes by floating the materials or by flow of gas, liquid or foam
    • B65G53/30Conveying materials in bulk through pipes or tubes by liquid pressure

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Crushing And Grinding (AREA)
  • Preparation Of Clay, And Manufacture Of Mixtures Containing Clay Or Cement (AREA)

Abstract

A mixture of water and solid material to a constant ratio is introduced into a continuous cycle mill (6), until a slurry is obtained which is then filtered to separate the solid portion with grain size in excess of a preset value. The solid portion thus separated, is cycled back into the mill (6), while a measuring device (14) checks the slurry density and controls the water supply (15) to the mill such as to maintain the water/solid material ratio. The slurry is then transported to a homogenizing system <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Method for preparing ceramic material, in particular mixes for tile manufacturing, and apparatus implementing said method This invention relates to a method for preparing ceramic material, in particular mixes for tile manufacturing, and to an apparatus implementing said method.
The preparation of ceramic mixes has involved, heretofore, the introduction of base material (e.g.
coarsely pre-ground clay), with water added thereto, into a mill, wherein it was ground to a desired residue percent, to be then discharged in a fluid or semifluid state into storage tanks.
The resulting product, in slurry form, was next filtered and transported to stirring tanks, whence it was extracted for subsequent processing until part or all of the water present was removed and a final product obtained, which may be either in powder or paste forms.
In particular, where a powder product is aimed at, the slurry is introduced into apparatus, known as atomizer or spray-driers, wherein it is atomized and contacted with a hot air stream adapted to provide separation of the fluid portion from the solid.
Conventional preparation methods show deficiencies which affect the quality of the final product and involve high energy consumption levels.
From the quality standpoint, it should be noted that the grinding process is continued until a preset amount of residue is obtained, which is periodically checked from slurry samples. Consequently, before the minimum residue is achieved, also subjected to protracted grinding are those particles which already fall within the acceptance range of grain size. This results in proportionally longer grinding time requirements, or wider grain size ranges, while the higher grain size residue cannot be altogether eliminated. The presence of this residue is detrimental because it affects adversely the following processing steps. In particular, when said residue includes, for example, certain materials deriving from the use of scraps, such as copper granules, there arises during the firing step a not negligible formation of undesired spots and discoloration.
From the energy standpoint, it is to be noted that such prior methods fail to provide optimum condi tionsforthe mill operation and for the following steps of separation of the fluid portion from the solid portion. In fact, in viewofthefactthatsuch processing steps involve the delivery of heat, it is preferred that the water supply to the mill be reduced and the mill output rate slowed down from maximum, thus accepting a compromise situation.
In such conditions, material sorting is less effective.
It is a primary object of this invention to provide a novel method whereby the aforementioned disadvantages of prior methods can be substantially attenuated.
According to one aspect of the invention that object is achieved by a method for preparing ceramic material, in particular mixes for tile manufacturing, characterized in that it comprises the steps of grinding, in a continuous cycle mill, a mixture of water and a solid ceramic material of coarse grain size, until a slurry is obtained having grain size and solid portion to liquid portion ratio characteristics approaching those desired, redirecting said slurry through a sorter to carry out a separation from the slurry of material with grain size exceeding a preset limit value, returning the separated material into the mill while transporting the slurry to a homogenizing and storage system, measuring the ratio in said slurry, and controlling the water supply to the mill in accordance with the measured value of said ratio.
According to another aspect of this invention, an apparatus is provided for implementing said method, which is characterized in that it comprises a continuous cycle mill for grinding a mixture of water and solid ceramic material until a slurry is achieved having density and grain size characteristics approaching those desired, at least one slurry tank for receiving the slurry from said mill, a pump member for pumping said slurry from said slurry tank into a sorter operative to separate from the slurry, material with grain size exceeding a preset limit value, means for conveying said separated material to said mill and the slurry to a homogenizing and storage system and to a slurry solid portion.
to liquid portion ratio measuring device adapted to control the water supply to said mill such as to adjust the water to ceramic material ratio.
Further features will be more clearly understood from the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawing, where: Figure 1 is a schematical view of an apparatus according to the invention; Figures2 and 3 illustrate variations of the apparatus of Figure 1; and Figure 4 illustrates a variation ofthe grinding mill.
Making reference to Figure 1,this apparatus comprises two hoppers 1,2 adapted to contain coarse grain size material, such as clay.
From the hoppers the material is picked up, e.g. by means of respective auger extractors 3 and 4, and transported onto a conveyor belt 5.
The conveyor 5 transports the material to a continuous mill 6 of conventional design, e.g. of the ball gravity type wherein grinding is effected by impacting against steel balls contained within a tabular case set to rotate about a horizontal axis by a motor drive.
Into the mill 6, additionally to said material, water is also introduced from a water supply unit 7. The material and water are in a constant mutual ratio. For this purpose, continuous weighing is carried out on the conveyor 5, in order to provide a constant amount of material. Grinding in the mill 6 results in the formation of a slurry having grain size and density characteristics which largely correspond to the desired values.
The slurry is progressively discharged into a tank 8 whence a pump 9 pumps it to a sorter 10, e.g. a filter, which separates the coarse portion of the slurry. The thuslytreated slurry is transported, through a conduit 11, to a storage and homogenization system 12.
The separated portion is instead returned into the mill 6through a conduit 13.
Along the slurry return line, which extends from the tank 8 to the filter 10, there is arranged a device 14 effective to measure the ratio of solid portion to liquid portion in the slurry. The device 14, which may comprise a densimeter, controls an additional water supply 15 to the mill.
The apparatus described hereinabove operates as follows.
The solid material fed on the conveyor 5 and the water from the supply 7 are introduced into the mill 6 in a mutual ratio which corresponds to the mill maximum output rate and independently of any considerations brought into play by the subsequent homogenizing steps in the system 12. Upon leaving the mill, the slurry will then have a density which is a direct indication of the momentaneous performance of the mill. Returning of the slurry through the filter 10 results in the immediate recovery of slurry having the required grain size characteristics. The coarser and substantially dry particles which, being separated by the filter 10, are returned to the mill, cause a change in the overall component of the material relatively to the water, so that the outflowing slurry will have a higher density than the previous one.
The device 14, upon sensing that density difference, controls the supply 15, which will deliver additional water until the desired ratio is restored in the outflowing slurry.
The constant character of said ratio enables the mill 6 to operate at all times in a condition of utmost efficiency as regards production output and the properties of the slurry. The selection effected in the filter 10 only produces recirculation through the mill of that material which deviates from the required grain size. Thus, it becomes possible to obtain a slurry wherein the solid portion, as drawn out of the mill upon reaching the desired characteristics, is not subjected to further grinding. This, in turn, yields a final product the grain size whereof varies within a narrower range, as brought about, on one side, by preventing material which already falls within said grain size range from undergoing prolonged milling, and on the other side, by the absence of a residue. In this manner, fabrication of articles with a more homogeneous structure is favored.
The storage and homogenizing system 12 may be of any suitable type, known per se, for the final product to be obtained. Where a final product in powder form is aimed at, the system would comprise a device 12a, including for example one or more suction filters or centrifugal separators, capable of significantly reducing the water percent in the slurry. From the device 1 2a, the slurry is then passed to a conventional atomizer, whereat the removal of water is almost completed, until a powder with the desired properties is obtained.
It is a characterizing aspect of this invention that, to reduce the water percent, filters of the mechanical action type are used which require no significant energy (heat) input for their operation.
The invention described hereinabove is susceptibleto many modifications and variations. The embodiment of the apparatus, shown in Figure 2, provides for the separation from the base material of that component which has the required grain size characteristics. To this aim the material, instead of being fed directly into the mill 6, would be preliminarly loosened in a loosener 16 or another continuous ball gravity mill, with the addition of water from the supply 7.
A sorting filter 17 (or a hydrocyclone) will provide for the separation from the resulting mix of a slurry having already the grain size features aimed at, which is delivered through a conduit 18 directly to the homogenizing and storage system 12. The remaining solid portion is diverted into the mill 6.
The apparatus of Figure 2 further narrows the grain size range of the final product.
Figure 3 shows schematically a further embodiment which, in comparison with the former, utilizes a single filter 19, whereto are directed both the slurry from the tank 8 and that from the loosener 16, and which represents a simplification construction-wise, even though the filter should have, of course, a higher capacity.
To enable the level of the slurry in the mill 6 to be varied, two boxes 20, 21 (Figure 4) are provided in superimposed relationship with the mill inlet and outlet, with the interposition of sealing gaskets.
The invention provides for the utilization of an automatic level control at optimum operating conditions of the mill. To that aim, a special control is provided with controls, in accordance with the level of the slurry in the mill, the feed rates of the material to be ground and of water. Such a control may comprise, as an example, variable speed motors for driving the extractors 3, 4.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the two water supply units 7, 15 may be combined in one unit under control by the device 14.

Claims (12)

1. A method for preparing ceramic material, in particular mixes for tile manufacturing, characterized in that it comprises the steps of grinding, in a continuous cycle mill, a mixture of water and a solid ceramic material of coarse grain size, until a slurry is obtained having grain size and solid portion to liquid portion ratio characteristics approaching those desired, redirecting said slurry through a sorterto carry out a separation from the slurry of material with grain size exceeding a preset limit value, returning the separated material into the mill while transport ingtheslurryto a homogenizing and storage system, measuring the ratio in said slurry, and controlling the water supply to the mill in accordance with the measured value of said ratio.
2. An apparatus implementing the method of Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a continuous cycle mill for grinding a mixture of water and solid ceramic material until a slurry is achieved having density and grain size characteristics approaching those desired, at least one slurry tank for receiving the slurry from said mill, a pump member for pumping said slurry from said slurry tank into a sorter operative to separate from the slurry, material with grain size exceeding a preset limit value, means for conveying said separated material to said mill and the slurry to a homogeniz ing and storage system and to a slurry solid portion to liquid portion ratio measuring device adapted to control the water supply to said mill such as to adjust the water to ceramic material ratio.
3. A method according to Claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises the steps of preparing a ceramic material and water mix, passing said mix through a sorterfilterto prepare a slurry, delivering said slurry directly to said homogenizing system and milling the remaining portion of said mix.
4. A method according to Claim 2, characterized in that it comprises the further step of delivering to said filter also the slurry from the milling step.
5. An apparatus according to Claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a loosenerforforming a ceramic material and water mix, wherewith is associated a sorter filter connected to the homogenizing system and mill for conveying the slurry and separated material, respectively, thereinto.
6. An apparatus according to Claim 5, characterized in that instead of said loosener, a continuous ball gravity mill is provided.
7. An apparatus according to either Claim 2 or 6, characterized in that said mill comprises two boxes superimposed in sealed relationship on the inlet and outlet with the interposition of gaskets.
8. An apparatus according to any of Claims 2,5 and 7, characterized in that the homogenizing and storage system comprises a mechanical action device for reducing the water percent in the slurry.
9. An apparatus according to Claim 8, characterized in that said device comprises one or more suction filters or centrifugal separators.
10. An apparatus according to any of Claims 2, 5-9, characterized in that it comprises automatic control means for controlling the slurry level in said mill.
11. An apparatus according to Claim 10, characterized in that said control means control the inflow of material to be milled and water,
12. A method for preparing ceramic material, in particular mixes for tile manufacturing, and an apparatus implementing said method, all this as herein described, illustrated, and claimed, for the objects specified.
GB08234531A 1981-12-07 1982-12-03 Method for preparing ceramic material in particular mixes for tile manufacturing, and apparatus implementing said method Withdrawn GB2111038A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT03599/81A IT1168399B (en) 1981-12-07 1981-12-07 PROCEDURE FOR THE PREPARATION OF CERAMIC MATERIAL IN PARTICULAR OF MIXTURES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF TILES AND EQUIPMENT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS PROCEDURE

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2111038A true GB2111038A (en) 1983-06-29

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GB08234531A Withdrawn GB2111038A (en) 1981-12-07 1982-12-03 Method for preparing ceramic material in particular mixes for tile manufacturing, and apparatus implementing said method

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DE (1) DE3244426A1 (en)
ES (1) ES8404226A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2517590A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2111038A (en)
IT (1) IT1168399B (en)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2665844A1 (en) * 1990-08-20 1992-02-21 Cogema TREATMENT OF AGGLOMERATES OF SOLID PARTICLES SUSPENDED IN A LIQUID IN ORDER TO OBTAIN A CIRCULATING MIXTURE WITHOUT DEPOSITS.
EP0698412A3 (en) * 1994-08-22 1996-04-17 Nat Gypsum Co Continuous starch slurry manufacture
US5733499A (en) * 1994-11-09 1998-03-31 Ngk Insulators, Ltd. Method for producing ceramic substrate
ES2228187A1 (en) * 2001-04-11 2005-04-01 Joaquin Javier Aguilella Alvaro Enamels and ceramics decanting system includes a computer supplementing two interconnected receptacles, with pumping
EP2465611A1 (en) * 2010-12-15 2012-06-20 Euroelettra Ingeniería, s.l. Automatic system for setting the density and viscosity in products obtained by continuous grinding
WO2013120925A1 (en) * 2012-02-15 2013-08-22 Pr Ceramic Engineering Ges.M.B.H. Process for producing an operating compound for coarse-ceramic products and drying storage installation therefor
WO2015057729A3 (en) * 2013-10-15 2015-07-16 Corning Incorporated Systems and methods for skinning articles
CN108974948A (en) * 2018-07-16 2018-12-11 湖北甘宁石化新材料股份有限公司 A kind of Pneumatic conveyer that nitrogen circulation uses
US10611051B2 (en) 2013-10-15 2020-04-07 Corning Incorporated Systems and methods for skinning articles
US10634025B2 (en) 2011-11-29 2020-04-28 Corning Incorporated Apparatus and method for skinning articles
US10744675B2 (en) 2014-03-18 2020-08-18 Corning Incorporated Skinning of ceramic honeycomb bodies

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL103261C (en) * 1954-12-17
US2833482A (en) * 1957-03-26 1958-05-06 Weston David Automatic control for wet grinding mills
US3094289A (en) * 1959-10-29 1963-06-18 Bolidens Gruv Ab Rock grinding system
US3379421A (en) * 1966-12-14 1968-04-23 Westinghouse Electric Corp Control of material processing device

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2665844A1 (en) * 1990-08-20 1992-02-21 Cogema TREATMENT OF AGGLOMERATES OF SOLID PARTICLES SUSPENDED IN A LIQUID IN ORDER TO OBTAIN A CIRCULATING MIXTURE WITHOUT DEPOSITS.
EP0472459A1 (en) * 1990-08-20 1992-02-26 Cogema Compagnie Generale Des Matieres Nucleaires Process and apparatus for treating solid agglomerates, in suspension in a liquid, to ensure that a heterogeneous mixture can be conveyed in pipelines without deposits
EP0698412A3 (en) * 1994-08-22 1996-04-17 Nat Gypsum Co Continuous starch slurry manufacture
US5573333A (en) * 1994-08-22 1996-11-12 National Gypsum Company Demand responsive, continuous preparation of starch slurry for use in manufacturing gypsum products
US5733499A (en) * 1994-11-09 1998-03-31 Ngk Insulators, Ltd. Method for producing ceramic substrate
EP0857702A1 (en) * 1994-11-09 1998-08-12 Ngk Insulators, Ltd. Method for producing ceramic substrate
US5955392A (en) * 1994-11-09 1999-09-21 Ngk Insulators, Ltd. Zirconia ceramic green sheet
ES2228187A1 (en) * 2001-04-11 2005-04-01 Joaquin Javier Aguilella Alvaro Enamels and ceramics decanting system includes a computer supplementing two interconnected receptacles, with pumping
EP2465611A1 (en) * 2010-12-15 2012-06-20 Euroelettra Ingeniería, s.l. Automatic system for setting the density and viscosity in products obtained by continuous grinding
US10634025B2 (en) 2011-11-29 2020-04-28 Corning Incorporated Apparatus and method for skinning articles
WO2013120925A1 (en) * 2012-02-15 2013-08-22 Pr Ceramic Engineering Ges.M.B.H. Process for producing an operating compound for coarse-ceramic products and drying storage installation therefor
WO2015057729A3 (en) * 2013-10-15 2015-07-16 Corning Incorporated Systems and methods for skinning articles
US10611051B2 (en) 2013-10-15 2020-04-07 Corning Incorporated Systems and methods for skinning articles
US10744675B2 (en) 2014-03-18 2020-08-18 Corning Incorporated Skinning of ceramic honeycomb bodies
CN108974948A (en) * 2018-07-16 2018-12-11 湖北甘宁石化新材料股份有限公司 A kind of Pneumatic conveyer that nitrogen circulation uses
CN108974948B (en) * 2018-07-16 2024-03-15 湖北甘宁石化新材料股份有限公司 Pneumatic conveying device for recycling nitrogen

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2517590A1 (en) 1983-06-10
IT1168399B (en) 1987-05-20
ES518311A0 (en) 1984-05-16
IT8103599A0 (en) 1981-12-07
ES8404226A1 (en) 1984-05-16
DE3244426A1 (en) 1983-06-09

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