Bentonite is a type of absorbent clay that is formed from volcanic ash and is commonly used in various industries, from oil drilling to pet litter manufacturing. Transforming bentonite clay into pellets enhances its manageability, application efficiency, and product consistency. To achieve this, specialized equipment known as granulators are employed. Below are some of the granulators that are suitable for making bentonite pellets, along with their unique characteristics and applications.
Disc Granulator (Pan Granulator)
Principle and Application
Disc granulators machine work on the principle of granule formation by agglomeration and size enlargement through rolling motion. They are widely used for processing fine powdery materials into round pellets. Bentonite, being a fine powder, is well-suited for this type of equipment.
Advantages
- Simple structure and easy to control
- Uniform pellet size
- Suitable for a continuous or batch process
Rotary Drum Granulator
Principle and Application
Rotary drum granulator machines are large cylindrical drums that rotate on an inclined axis. This equipment is preferred in large-scale production of bentonite pellets due to its high capacity and continuous operation.
Advantages
- High efficiency and large capacity
- Suitable for large-scale production
- Can handle a wide range of material moisture levels
Double Roller Granulator
Principle and Application
Extrusion granulation machine work by pressing powder between two rotating rollers to form pellets. They are ideal for compounds like bentonite that require compaction and densification rather than moisture-based agglomeration.
Advantages
- No need for drying or cooling steps
- Suitable for making dense and hard pellets
- Low energy consumption
Selection Considerations
When selecting the most suitable granulator for bentonite pelletizing, factors such as the scale of production, desired pellet quality, energy consumption, and initial investment cost should be considered. It is also critical to think about the end-use of the bentonite pellets, as different applications might require varying pellet characteristics. Consulting with equipment manufacturers and running trial granulations can help in choosing the optimal granulator for a given application.