High-Whiteness, Ultra-Fine Clay Grinding with Zero Iron Contamination & Precise Particle Control Specialized ball mill technology for kaolin, bentonite, ball clay, fire clay, and other industrial clay minerals. From ceramic-grade body powders to paper coating pigments, our systems deliver high whiteness retention, narrow particle size distribution, and low operating cost — chosen by ceramic, refractory, and non-metallic mineral processing plants worldwide.
Our clay ball mill is a high-efficiency horizontal grinding system designed for producing consistent, high-purity clay powders and slips. Available in dry or wet configurations with ceramic lining, it serves the ceramic, paper, refractory, paint, and chemical industries.
Materials & Process Flexibility
Our clay ball mill handles a broad spectrum of clay minerals and process conditions:
Core Clay & Non-Metallic Minerals:
· Kaolin / China clay — paper coating, ceramics, paint, rubber, cosmetics, fiberglass
· Ball clay — ceramic body plasticizer, tableware, sanitaryware
· Fire clay / refractory clay — refractory bricks, mortars, foundry
· Bentonite — drilling mud, cat litter, iron ore pelletizing, waterproofing, landfill liner
· Ceramic clay body mixes — wall and floor tiles, porcelain, vitreous china
· Feldspar — ceramic flux, glassmaking
· Quartz / silica — ceramic glaze, glass, filler
· Talc — paper, cosmetics, paint, ceramics
· Calcium carbonate (marble/limestone) — paper filler, paint, plastics
· Dolomite — glass, ceramics, refractory
· Other industrial minerals and chemical powders
Process Options:
· Dry grinding with hot air — for moist clay (up to 15-20% moisture), simultaneous drying and pulverizing
· Dry grinding with air classifier — for precise particle size control in coating-grade kaolin and filler
· Wet grinding — for ceramic slip preparation, bentonite slurry, and paper coating
· Open circuit — simple layout for single-product clay powder
· Closed circuit — high output, precise fineness control, standard for high-value clay products
· Batch or continuous operation — batch for small specialty clays, continuous for large-scale production
From Clay Lump to Fine Powder or Slip: Engineered Precision in Every Step
Controlled Feeding – Clay lumps or filter cake (up to 50mm) are uniformly fed via a belt feeder or screw conveyor. For high-moisture clay, a hot air inlet at the feed end begins drying immediately.
Primary Grinding & Drying – Chamber 1 uses larger ceramic balls and wear-resistant alumina liners to break down clay lumps while hot air sweeps through, removing moisture. This simultaneous grinding and drying prevents clogging and maximizes throughput.
Controlled Material Transfer – A ceramic-lined intermediate diaphragm retains the grinding media while precisely transferring pre-ground clay to Chamber 2. The diaphragm prevents media carry-over and maintains whiteness.
Fine Grinding Zone – Chamber 2 employs smaller alumina balls and classifying liners to achieve the target fineness with minimal over-grinding. For ceramic bodies, particle size distribution is optimized for the required packing density and plasticity.
Classification & Collection – Discharge is conveyed to an air classifier or hydrocyclone. On-spec clay powder or slip is collected; oversize particles return to the mill for regrinding. A baghouse filter ensures clean emissions <10 mg/Nm³.
| Model | Dia.×Length (m) | Capacity (t/h) | Motor Power (kW) | Shell Speed (r/min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Φ1.5×5.7m | 1.5×5.7 | 1–3 | 90 | 29.7 |
| Φ1.8×7m | 1.8×7 | 3–6 | 185 | 25.4 |
| Φ2.2×7m | 2.2×7 | 6–10 | 245 | 24.5 |
| Φ2.4×8m | 2.4×8 | 10–15 | 315 | 22.4 |
| Φ3.2×9m | 3.2×9 | 20–35 | 800 | 18.7 |
Capacity based on dry kaolin/ball clay (feed moisture ≤5%, product 200 mesh). For higher moisture or finer product, capacity reduces. Custom sizes available.*
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Feed material | Clay lumps, filter cake (max size ≤50mm) |
| Feed moisture | Up to 15-20% (with hot air system) |
| Product fineness | 100 – 1250 Mesh (0.15 – 0.010 mm) |
| D97 target range | 10 – 45 µm (adjustable via classifier) |
| Grinding method | Dry (hot air) / Wet |
| Circuit type | Open‑circuit / Closed‑circuit (with air classifier or hydrocyclone) |
| Number of chambers | 1, 2, or 3 |
| Liner material | High alumina ceramic (92-99% Al₂O₃) / Flint / Rubber |
| Grinding media | Alumina balls / Flint pebbles / Porcelain balls |
| Dust emission | <10 mg/Nm³ (baghouse filter) |
| Whiteness retention | Iron contamination <20 ppm; whiteness loss <0.5% |
Complete Range for Every Clay Application
Our product line covers everything from small ceramic workshops to large-scale kaolin processing plants. Whether you need a dry grinding system with hot air for moist ball clay, a wet slip preparation circuit for sanitaryware, or an ultra-fine closed-circuit system for paper coating kaolin, our ball mills deliver. As an experienced ball mill manufacturer, we support your project from clay testing to custom design, installation, and after-sales service.
For Engineers & Procurement:
For ceramic-grade clays where whiteness is critical, ceramic-lined mills with alumina or flint media are mandatory. For high-moisture feed (>5%), integrate a hot air generator for simultaneous drying. For paper coating kaolin requiring D97 <15µm, a closed-circuit system with high-efficiency air classifier is recommended.
Tell us your clay type, required capacity, target fineness, and whiteness sensitivity. We will engineer the optimal ball mill solution.
Proven Performance: Global Clay Processing Field Results
Case 1: 100,000 TPY Kaolin Processing Plant, Southeast Asia
· Model: Φ3.2×9m Closed-Circuit Ball Mill with Air Classifier
· Feed: Washed kaolin filter cake (18% moisture)
· Product: Paper coating grade kaolin, D97 <15 µm, whiteness >90% ISO
· Result: Achieved 30 TPH dry output, whiteness loss <0.3% (ceramic lined), replacing an old Raymond mill. Energy consumption reduced by 20%.
Case 2: Ceramic Body Preparation Plant, Europe
· Model: Φ2.4×8m Wet Batch Ball Mill (2 units)
· Feed: Ball clay, kaolin, feldspar, silica sand
· Product: Ceramic slip for tableware, residue <0.5% on 63µm sieve
· Result: Slip consistency and casting rate significantly improved over the previous pebble mill. Alumina lining and balls ensured iron-free grinding for white body production.
Case 3: Bentonite Grinding Plant Upgrade, Middle East
· Model: Φ2.2×7m Dry Ball Mill with Hot Air & Air Classifier
· Feed: Bentonite lumps (12% moisture)
· Product: Drilling grade bentonite powder (200 mesh), API 13A compliant
· Result: Output doubled from 5 to 10 TPH after switching from open to closed circuit with dryer integration. Oil adsorption and swell index improved.
Whiteness & Quality Assurance: Beyond ISO 9001
· Whiteness Guarantee: For ceramic-lined clay ball mills, we guarantee iron contamination <20 ppm and whiteness loss <0.5% ISO. We measure whiteness on your sample before and after our pilot grind and commit to the result in full-scale.
· Pre-Delivery Test Run: Every clay mill is test-assembled and run without load before shipment. Ceramic liner integrity is inspected.
· Long-Life Ceramic Components: Our alumina liners and balls are sourced from top Chinese ceramic manufacturers, with guaranteed Al₂O₃ content (92%, 95%, or 99%) and wear rate.
· Process Performance Guarantee: We contractually guarantee capacity, product fineness, and specific energy consumption based on agreed feed specification.
Ready to Start Your Clay Processing Project?
Send an inquiry. You will receive:
A detailed quotation matching your clay type, capacity, fineness, and whiteness requirements.
A complete equipment list and plant layout drawing for your clay grinding system.
Reference cases from similar clay processing projects.
Your project details and samples are handled confidentially.
Kolev Equipment Technology Co., Ltd. is a large-scale private technology enterprise specializing in the research, development, production, and sales of mining and metal ore processing equipment. With over 20 years of experience in ultra-fine grinding, industrial drying, and crushing sand making industries, we provide intelligent solutions and mature supporting products worldwide.
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