Effects of grinding and dehydration on kaolin in a steam jet mill

• Published in: Clay minerals Vol. 56; no. 1; pp. 75 - 84
• Main Authors: Wang Zhe, Wang Zhe, Li Hong, Li Hong, Chen Haiyan, Chen Haiyan, Lu Juan, Lu Juan, Leng Hao, Leng Hao, Xiao Junhui, Xiao Junhui, Wang Shuai, Wang Shuai
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Middlesex Mineralogical Society 01.03.2021; Cambridge University Press
• Subjects: beneficiation; clastic sediments; clay mineralogy; clay minerals; Comminution; Compressed air; Cost control; Dehydration; Dry grinding; Economic geology; effects; Filter cake; fine-grained materials; grinding; Grinding mills; Kaolin; kaolin deposits; kaolinite; Moisture content; nonmetals; Particle size; Particle size distribution; production; properties; sed rocks, sediments; Sedimentary petrology; sediments; sheet silicates; silicates; Size distribution; Steam jets; Viscosity; Water content; China
• ISSN: 0009-8558; 1471-8030
• DOI: 10.1180/clm.2021.18

Steam jet milling was applied for the first time to ultra-fine grind the filter cake (moisture content 23.80%) produced by a kaolin concentrator. The material was dehydrated and dried simultaneously during grinding, and the final ground sample met the moisture content requirement for powder products of <2%. The particle size of the ground kaolin samples decreased and the particle-size distribution was more concentrated, indicating that the steam jet milling was more effective for kaolin processing than the conventional dry grinding process. In addition, steam jet milling can improve the whiteness and decrease the crystal order of the samples, thus improving the kaolin properties in follow-up applications.