Feldspar is a group of minerals composed of potassium, sodium, calcium, and other alkali metals or alkaline earth metals in the form of aluminum silicate. Potassium feldspar, also known as orthoclase, belongs to the monoclinic crystal system and is typically found in shades of flesh red, white, or gray. The potassium feldspar series mainly includes orthoclase, microcline, sanidine, etc. A grinding machine is utilized for the production of potassium feldspar powder which finds applications across various industries. Market research indicates that potassium feldspar powder accounts for approximately 50-60% as raw materials in the glass industry and 30% in the ceramic industry. The remaining portion is employed in chemical industry processes such as glass flux production and ceramic body ingredients along with applications like ceramic glaze preparation, enamel raw material manufacturing, abrasives production using glass fibers and welding rods among others. Potassium feldspar powder primarily serves purposes in glassmaking and ceramics while high-quality variants are employed for TV display glass shells.
Production Process of Potassium Feldspar Powder
In the dry production process of potassium feldspar powder, grinding machines of various specifications are selected based on the requirements for the final powder. Different grinding methods may involve distinct processes, yet they share similarities overall. Grinding primarily relies on mechanical force and employs Raymond mill, high pressure ring roller mill, and vertical mill for production purposes. The entire production process is divided into four steps, with the addition of an extra step involving ultra-fine vertical grinding to enhance secondary powder selection. The dry production process of potassium feldspar powder encompasses crushing, grinding, grading, dust collection, drying, and packaging.
The Production Steps are a s Follows
Feldspar Breaking → Feldspar Grinding → Feldspar Powder Grading → Feldspar Powder Collection → Feldspar Powder Packaging
The First Stage: Crushing potassium feldspar
Large pieces of potash feldspar are transported to the raw material warehouse by special vehicles, and then the material is sent to the jaw crusher for crushing by a forklift/manual. It is broken into pieces smaller than the feed size of the mill (10-30mm).
The Second Stage: Feeding potassium feldspar
The potassium feldspar crushed by the crusher is lifted by an elevator to the storage hopper, which is then emptied and evenly fed to the main machine through a feeder.
The Third Stage: Grinding in mill
After entering the mill, potassium feldspar products that meet grinding requirements are screened by a screening system and collected through a pipeline. The fine powder of potassium feldspar is discharged as finished product through a discharge valve, while unqualified powder falls back into the main machine for re-milling.
The Fourth Stage: Collecting potassium feldspar powder
Potassium feldspar powder enters a pulse dust collector through a ventilation pipe connected with the mill, and then it goes into a powder collector for packaging. The air flow from pulse dust collection and purification passes through residual air pipe above the dust collector before reaching blower in circulation mode. Except for positive pressure from blower to grinding chamber, all other pipes operate under negative pressure ensuring good indoor air quality.
How to Choose Potassium Feldspar Mill
Potassium feldspar can be ground using various mills, such as YGM Raymond mill, pendulum mill, vertical mill, and CLUM ultrafine vertical mill. Additionally, HGM ultrafine ring roller mill can also be utilized. For coarse powder production ranging from 80 mesh to 400 mesh, it is recommended to employ YGM Raymond mill with a production capacity of several tons per hour. If there is sufficient investment capital available, the vertical mill can be chosen due to its low maintenance costs and reduced need for parts replacement. To produce powders finer than 325 mesh up to 2500 mesh or even nano-sized powders with a fineness of 2 microns, both CLUM ultra-fine vertical mill and HGM ultra-fine ring roller mill are required. When utilizing CLUM ultra-fine vertical mill in the production process, it is possible to install a secondary powder selection system.
Feldspar Grinding Mill Recommended
YGM Raymond Mill
Capacity: 1-50 t/h
Feed Size: 35 mm
Powder Fineness: 80-325 mesh
Mill Advantage
- Reasonable structure, small footprint, solid system.
The Raymond mill is designed with a reasonable structure that optimizes its performance while minimizing its physical footprint. Its compact size allows for easy installation and integration into existing production lines or facilities. The robust system ensures stable and reliable operation, providing a solid foundation for efficient material processing.
- Adjustable particle size: 80-325 mesh
One of the key advantages of the Raymond mill is its ability to adjust the particle size of the final product according to specific requirements. With a range from 80 to 325 mesh, it offers versatility in meeting various industrial needs across different sectors such as mining, construction materials, and chemical engineering.
- The main transmission device of Raymond mill adopts closed gear box and pulley, which ensures smooth transmission and reliable operation.
To ensure smooth transmission and dependable operation, the Raymond mill incorporates a closed gear box and pulley as its main transmission components. This design choice minimizes frictional losses during power transfer while effectively protecting sensitive internal mechanisms from external contaminants or damage.
- The important parts are made of high-quality castings and profiles to ensure the durability of the entire equipment.
Recognizing the importance of durability in heavy-duty industrial applications, all critical components of the Raymond mill are constructed using high-quality castings and profiles. These premium materials offer exceptional strength, resistance to wear-and-tear, corrosion protection, ensuring prolonged service life even under demanding operating conditions.
- The adoption of a centralized control system in the electrical system has greatly enhanced the efficiency and convenience of operating the mill. With this advanced technology, the mill can now achieve unmanned operation, eliminating the need for constant human intervention. This not only reduces labor costs but also minimizes potential errors caused by human factors.
HGM Ultrafine Grinding Mill
Capacity: 0.2-45 t/h
Feed Size: ≤20 mm
Powder Fineness: 325-3000 mesh
Mill Advantage
- The output is 40% higher than other mills, making it a highly efficient and productive machine. This increased output not only saves time and energy but also maximizes the overall production capacity of the mill.
- Key components of this mill are made from wear-resistant materials, ensuring their durability and longevity. With a high utilization rate of 2-5 years, users can rely on this equipment for extended periods without worrying about frequent replacements or repairs.
- One notable feature of this mill is its adjustable particle size range, which spans from 325 to 3000 mesh. This flexibility allows users to customize the final product according to their specific requirements, whether it be fine powders or coarser materials.
- High security and reliability are guaranteed due to the rigorous design of the mill. Every aspect has been carefully engineered to prevent any loose screws or potential damage that could compromise its performance or safety standards.
- In addition to its exceptional functionality, this mill operates as a closed system, contributing towards an environmentally friendly approach in industrial processes. By minimizing dust emissions and preventing any leakage of materials during operation, it aligns with green ideals by reducing environmental impact while maintaining optimal productivity levels.
CLUM Ultrafine Vertical Grinding Mill
Capacity: 1-20 t/h
Feed Size: <20 mm
Powder Fineness: 300-3000 mesh
Mill Advantages
- High grinding efficiency: Compared to the ball mill, the vertical mill provides a significant advantage in terms of reducing power consumption. By saving 20~30% of power consumption, it not only contributes to cost savings but also promotes energy conservation and environmental protection.
- Strong drying capacity: The vertical mill can efficiently grind raw materials with high water content up to 15%, allowing for effective drying during the grinding process without requiring additional equipment or processes solely dedicated to drying.
- Multi-functional: In addition to its primary function as a grinder, the vertical mill serves multiple purposes including crushing, drying, grinding, separation, and conveying. Its versatility makes it an indispensable tool in various industries such as cement production and mineral processing.
- Low noise and less dust: One notable advantage of using a vertical mill is its low noise level compared to traditional mills like ball mills. With no direct contact between the roller and the mill itself, metal impact noises are minimized resulting in a quieter working environment (approximately 20~25 dB lower). Furthermore, due to its completely enclosed negative pressure operation mode, dust generation is significantly reduced during milling operations.
- Low wear rate and minimal metal pollution: The wear rate of components within a vertical mill is remarkably low when compared to other types of mills available on the market today. With metal wear rates ranging from only 5~10g/t (grams per ton), this ensures prolonged service life while minimizing potential contamination caused by excessive metal abrasion.