Introduction
Dispersants reduce energy consumption and waste rate in the ceramic industry by forming stable, low-viscosity slurries, resulting in higher production efficiency, less water usage, and reduced defect formation.
By preventing particle agglomeration, the grinding, drying, and firing processes are improved, thereby enhancing grinding efficiency, reducing drying energy demand, and increasing firing efficiency, which promotes energy conservation.
Reducing energy consumption
• Shortening grinding and mixing time: Dispersants improve the fluidity of the slurry, thereby reducing the energy required for grinding and mixing raw materials. This can also reduce labor costs.
• Lowering sintering temperature: Certain dispersants, especially when used with recycled materials, can improve the quality of the final product without increasing the sintering temperature. This is because dispersants help form a more uniform mixture, allowing it to effectively sinter at lower temperatures.
• Improving energy efficiency: Improving slurry fluidity and increasing grinding efficiency mean that ceramic bodies can be processed with lower overall energy consumption.
Reduce waste
• Enhance the utilization of recycled materials: Dispersants help integrate recycled ceramic waste, industrial by-products, and other waste materials (such as glass) into new ceramic products. Dispersants improve fluidity and adhesion, enabling these materials to be utilized more efficiently and thus reducing the demand for primary raw materials.
• Reduce water consumption: By improving slurry fluidity, dispersants reduce the amount of water needed to prepare workable mixtures.
• Reduce landfill waste: By using recycled materials, dispersants help divert waste that would otherwise be sent to landfills.
Dispersants play a dual role in ceramic production, achieving energy saving and consumption reduction while enhancing quality. By optimizing the rheology of slurries, they can significantly shorten grinding time, reduce firing temperature, and promote the effective utilization of recycled materials, thereby directly reducing energy consumption and raw material costs in the production process. At the same time, stable dispersion effects reduce body defects and significantly lower the scrap rate. This optimization at the process source makes dispersants a key additive for ceramic enterprises to achieve green manufacturing and a win-win economic benefit.