Kaolin Dryer for sale

Kaolin Dryer for Sale

Kaolin is the mineral raw materials required in dozens of industries such as papermaking, ceramics, rubber, chemical industry, coatings, pharmacy and national defense. Kaolin is commonly used in papermaking industry. Its power consumption is only 30% of the parallel products. Coal consumption is only 50%, and the index of material is higher than the nationwide standard after drying process.

Kaolin dryer is otherwise known as kaolin drying machine or kaolin drum dryer, which is not only applicable for granular materials, but also used for drying viscous, pasty materials or materials with higher water content and special requirements. The covers for the two ends of kaolin dryer host are highly sealed, which is energy saving and environmental protection. 

What is Kaolin/Bentonite?

Kaolin, also known as china clay, is a soft white clay mineral composed primarily of kaolinite. It is a hydrated aluminum silicate formed by the natural weathering of aluminum-rich rocks like granite. Bentonite is another type of absorbent clay, primarily composed of montmorillonite. While they have different properties, both are extracted as a wet, plastic mass with high moisture content (often 20-35%). To be used in any high-value application, this water must be removed through a carefully controlled drying process.

What are Kaolin Used For?

Dry kaolin is a versatile and essential industrial mineral. Its most valuable applications are where its whiteness, chemical inertness, and particle shape are critical.

• Paper: It is used as a filler to improve brightness and opacity, and as a coating to create a smooth, glossy surface for printing. This is the largest market.
• Ceramics: It is a fundamental ingredient in porcelain, whiteware, and sanitaryware.
• Paints & Coatings: It acts as an extender, improving the texture and durability of paint.
• Plastics & Rubber: It is used as a functional filler to enhance strength and reduce cost.
• Refractories: After being calcined (heated to a very high temperature), it is used to make fire bricks and other heat-resistant materials.

What is the Difficulty when Drying the Kaolin?

Drying kaolin is a balancing act with three major challenges.

1. Stickiness: Wet kaolin filter cake is extremely sticky and plastic. In a standard dryer, it will form large, hard balls with a dry outer shell and a wet inner core, making uniform drying impossible.
2. Contamination: The ultimate value of kaolin is its brightness. The #1 enemy of brightness is iron contamination. Even microscopic particles of rust from a standard carbon steel dryer will stain the kaolin, drastically reducing its price.
3. Heat Damage (Calcination): If kaolin is overheated (a process called calcination), its chemical structure changes, and its valuable properties for applications like paper coating are permanently destroyed. It becomes an inert filler.

What is a Kaolin Dryer?

A kaolin dryer is a highly specialized piece of industrial equipment designed to overcome these challenges. The most common type is a rotary dryer for kaolin, but it is dramatically different from a standard dryer. Every surface that touches the product, including the internal drum and lifters, must be made from Type 304 or 316L stainless steel to prevent iron contamination. It must also incorporate special features to handle the sticky feed and operate at precise, often lower, temperatures to prevent heat damage.

Why is Professional Kaolin Drying Crucial for Its Value?

The drying process directly determines the final grade and sale price of your kaolin.

• Brightness & Purity: Professional drying in a stainless steel, indirect-fired system is the only way to protect the kaolin’s natural whiteness from iron and fuel contamination.
• Moisture Content: High-value applications demand a precise final moisture content, often less than 1%. Only a dryer with advanced controls can achieve this level of consistency.
• Particle Integrity: A gentle drying process preserves the delicate, plate-like structure of kaolin particles, which is critical for its performance in paper and coatings.

In short, a cheap, poorly designed dryer will produce a low-grade, contaminated product. A professional clay dryer machine produces a high-purity product that commands a premium price.

Applications of Kaolin Dryer

Kaolin drying machine is utilized extensively for drying concentrate powder, slag, limestone, coal, slag, clay, kaolin in and other materials in building materials, metallurgy, chemical industry, cement industry, etc. It is especially suitable for kaolin, clay and bentonite. After nearly 25 years of development, the new generation of kaolin dryer is energy saving and consumption reducing.

Application of Kaolin Dryer

What is the Structure of Kaolin Dryer?

A true kaolin dryer is a feat of engineering, built for purity and control.

• Full Stainless Steel Contact Parts: This is non-negotiable. The drum interior, feed and discharge chutes, and all internal lifters are made from polished 304 or 316L stainless steel.
• Dispersing/Anti-Clogging Device: The feed end features a specialized chain or paddle system that aggressively breaks up the sticky wet kaolin cake before it can form balls or clog the dryer.
• Indirect Heating System: The heat source (burner) is separate from the drying chamber. Clean, hot air is passed through a heat exchanger or the drum is heated externally, so the products of combustion never touch the kaolin.
• Back-Mixing System (Optional but Recommended): A system that mixes a portion of the dry product with the wet feed to pre-condition it, reducing stickiness and improving flow.

How Kaolin Rotary Dryer Works

As key equipment in kaolin drying process, kaolin drying machine can be installed as a standard alone device as well as a complete system with other machines like dust collecting system, feeding machine, conveyor, mixer, etc. 

The kaolin dryer is installed at a certain angle. When the kaolin rotary drying machine works, wet kaolin is introduced into the drum and is lifted up to the top of the interior by the lifting plates inside. During the falling, the moist material is crushed by the blades which are rolling at a high speed. This process is repeated until the wet kaolin is dried and moved to the exit of the cylinder under the effect of the gravity. At the same time, scorching wind from the direct-fired hot-blast furnace makes the heat transformation realized and blows the dried kaolin out into the conveyor. Thus, the drying process is completed.

Working Principle of Kaolin Dryer

What is the Price of Kaolin Dryer?

The kaolin dryer machine price is significantly higher than a standard industrial dryer, ranging from $150,000 to over $2,000,000. The high cost is due to several key factors. The primary driver is the extensive use of expensive stainless steel instead of carbon steel. Additionally, the required indirect heating system is more complex and costly than a simple direct-fired burner. Finally, the sophisticated control systems needed for precise temperature regulation add to the price. While the initial investment is higher, it is essential for producing the high-purity kaolin that commands a premium market price.

Advantages of Zoneding Kaolin Dryer Machine

• Large processing capacity, which is from 1.9-76TPH, and the drum volume is alternative from 9m³ to 285m³, thus it is of low fuel consumption and low drying cost;
• High temperature resistant, which is targeted at the refractoriness of kaolin and can realize fast drying of kaolin with high temperature wind;
• Strong scalability. It takes the production surplus into account, even small increases of the yield; there is no need to replace the equipment;
• It adopts self-aligning tug structure, so that the tumor rolling ring has good matching, which greatly reduces the wear and power consumption;
• The specially designed wheel structure greatly reduces the horizontal thrust caused by inclined working of the equipment;
• Strong anti-overload ability, the cylinder has a smooth operation and high reliability.

Environmental Protection Value of the Kaolin Drum Dryer

>>> Equipped with pulse dust collector, the kaolin dryer can further reduce the dust content of the exhaust; 

>>> Well-sealed host of the drum, the electricity consumption is 30% of parallel machines and the coal consumption only 50%, which is energy-saving and environmental protected.

How to Maintain the Kaolin Dryer?

Maintenance focuses on purity and performance.

• Regular Cleaning: For producers making multiple grades, the dryer must be designed for easy cleaning. ZONEDING uses bolt-in, polished lifters and large access doors to simplify cleaning and prevent cross-contamination.
• Seal Inspection: The seals at the feed and discharge ends are critical for preventing air leaks, which can affect temperature control and efficiency. They should be inspected regularly.
• Drive System: The main drive and tires should be kept lubricated and aligned according to the manufacturer’s schedule to ensure smooth rotation.
• Heat Exchanger: If using an indirect system, the heat exchanger tubes must be inspected and cleaned periodically to maintain thermal efficiency.

What are the Advantages of Kaolin Dryer from ZONEDING?

ZONEDING has engineered kaolin dryers specifically to protect your product’s value.

• Guaranteed Purity: We use 100% stainless steel (304 or 316L) for all contact parts and insist on indirect heating to eliminate any risk of contamination. Your kaolin’s brightness is our top priority.
• Proven Anti-Clogging Design: Our dryers are not just rotary dryer for sticky materials by name. They feature a robust mechanical dispersing device at the feed end, engineered to actively break up wet kaolin and prevent clogging before it starts.
• Precise Temperature Control: Our systems use advanced PLC controls and multiple temperature sensors to maintain the exact drying profile needed, ensuring you dry the kaolin perfectly without ever getting it hot enough to calcine.
• Designed for Easy Cleaning: We understand the need to run different grades. Our dryers feature bolt-in lifters and sanitary-inspired design to make cleanouts faster and more thorough.

How to Choose the Right Kaolin Dryer?

Choosing the right machine is a critical technical decision.

1. Demand Stainless Steel: Do not compromise. If a supplier suggests carbon steel, they are not a kaolin expert. Specify 304 or 316L for all product contact surfaces.
2. Insist on Indirect Heating: To protect your product’s purity and brightness, reject any direct-fired design. A clean heat source is non-negotiable.
3. Ask About Anti-Clogging: Ask for a detailed explanation and drawing of their mechanism for handling sticky wet feed.
4. Discuss Your End Product: A professional supplier will ask about your target brightness and application (paper, ceramics, etc.) to determine the correct drying temperature profile and whether a gentle spin flash dryer might be a better option than a rotary dryer.

Kaolin Dryer Manufacturer

Zoneding Machinery is an experienced kaolin dryer supplier with an about 40-year history. Zoneding has introduced advanced technology from Germany, America, Japan and other countries and has established its own production series. We have types of high-quality kaolin dryer machine for sale to meet the requirements of different sizes of plants. When it comes to kaolin dryer price, we have the greatest affordable price in the same industry. Free consultant and 24-hour service are offered here. You can chat online with our skilled sales or leave an online message. We will contact you within 24 hours and offer you customized solutions based on your need.

General Specification