The Kaolin ProcessJ. Branan Homeroom

Ridge Road Elementary3rd Grade

Photo:www.Thielekaolin.com

MiningKaolin is usually

transported by truck from the mine to the

processing plants, many of which are located at or

near the mine.

In our words: Picking kaolin up in a truck and

taking it to the plant.

StockpileClay Grades

A large supply of kaolin is gathered and held in reserve for use during a shortage or during a

period of higher prices.

In our words: Putting kaolin in a big stack so

you don’t run out.

Blending

…mixing different types of kaolin to achieve

optimum mix of particle size, and to equalize

variation of mix

In our words: mixing it up

Blunging

The kaolin is mixed with water and chemicals to create milk-shake-like

slurry. Slurry is simply the water and dispersed clay

mixture.

In our words: mixing the kaolin with water

Degritting

The slurried kaolin is transported through

pipelines where sand, mica and other impurities are

extracted with the help of gravity.

In our words: You are taking out the stuff you

don’t want

Mine Storage

…the storage of products in silos and

tanks

In our words: putting the kaolin in tanks

Pipeline

A pipeline is a long tubular conduit with pumps and valves for flow control; it is also used to transport kaolin over distances.

In our words: runs the kaolin to the places it

needs to go

PlantThe equipment and buildings

necessary to carry on kaolin

manufacturing is the plant.

In our words: a building where

they make kaolin

Plant Storage

…the storage of products in silos

and tanks

In our words: keeping the

kaolin in tanks

Screening

Screening the kaolin is passing it through meshed material to remove larger

pieces that are not needed.

In our words: kaolin is run through a screen where large

pieces are taken out.

Magnetic SeparationThe kaolin slurry is pumped through highly compressed fine stainless steel wool. When it is energized, it separates the

magnetic minerals and allows the non-magnetic kaolin to pass through.

In our words: The magnet helps take out the stuff they don’t want in the kaolin.

Plant Storage

…the storage of products in silos

and tanks

In our words: keeping the

kaolin in tanks

Classification

…organizing the kaolin by classes or

types.

In our words: puts the kaolin with

others like it

Plant Storage

…the storage of products in silos

and tanks

In our words: keeping the

kaolin in tanks

Screening

Screening the kaolin is passing it through

meshed material to remove larger pieces that

are not needed.

In our words: kaolin is run through a screen

where large pieces are taken out.

Leaching

Leaching the kaolin involves dissolving

out the soluble parts by percolation.

In our words: boiling the kaolin to take out the parts they don’t

want.

Plant Storage

…the storage of products in silos

and tanks

In our words: keeping the

kaolin in tanks

Filtration

Large rotary vacuum filters remove water

from the slurried kaolin.

In our words: It takes the water out of the kaolin

Plant Storage

…the storage of products in silos and tanks

In our words: keeping the

kaolin in tanks

Screening

Screening the kaolin is passing it through

meshed material to remove larger pieces that

are not needed.

In our words: kaolin is run through a screen

where large pieces are taken out.

Spray Drying

Spray drying kaolin is a method of producing a

dry powder from a slurry by rapidly drying

it with a hot gas.

In our words: spraying it with hot air to dry it

ShippingShipping involves shipping the kaolin to other parts of the country

and world.

In our words: Sending the kaolin to the people who buy it.