A gypsum powder production line is a manufacturing system designed to convert natural gypsum rock or synthetic gypsum byproducts into fine, uniform powder. This material is widely used in construction, agriculture, and industrial applications.
Raw Material Preparation
The process begins with crushing and grinding the gypsum. Large gypsum blocks are fed into a crusher, which reduces them to smaller fragments. These fragments are then transferred to a mill—often a Raymond mill or ball mill—to achieve the desired particle size. Screens separate oversized particles, which are returned to the mill for further grinding.
Calcination Process
Ground gypsum powder is conveyed to a rotary kiln or flash dryer for calcination. In this stage, the material is heated to remove crystalline water. The temperature and residence time are carefully controlled to produce hemihydrate gypsum (commonly known as plaster of Paris) with consistent reactivity and setting time.
Cooling and Storage
After calcination, the hot powder passes through a cooler to lower its temperature. Proper cooling prevents agglomeration and maintains powder flowability. The cooled gypsum powder is stored in silos, equipped with aeration devices to prevent clogging and facilitate smooth discharge.
Packaging and Quality Control
Gypsum powder is typically packaged in bags ranging from 25 kg to 50 kg, though bulk loading into silos or tankers is also common for large consumers. Throughout the production line, sampling stations and laboratory equipment monitor moisture content, particle size distribution, and chemical composition to ensure consistent product quality.
Energy and Environmental Considerations
Modern production lines often recover waste heat from the calcination process to preheat incoming air, reducing energy consumption. Dust collectors and bag filters capture airborne particles, minimizing emissions and maintaining a clean working environment.
Applications
The resulting gypsum powder is used in wall plasters, cement additives, soil conditioners, and as a component in gypsum board manufacturing. Its predictable setting properties and smooth finish make it suitable for both large construction projects and small-scale renovations.
Processing demand survey
x