Bentonite is a fine-grained clay rock characterized by strong swelling upon hydration, high plasticity, and sorption capacity.
After processing, it is used in:
- foundry molds (improves sand cohesion and strength),
- drilling muds (provides density and stability),,
- cat litter (clumps on contact with moisture),,
- filtration/purification of oils and fats (“bleaching earth”)..
Key Specification
Product Variants and Technological Processes
Foundry / Drilling Grade Bentonite
- dry milling
- optional sodium activation (Na₂CO₃)
- moisture conditioning
- packaging in bags / Big-Bags
Clumping Bentonite (Cat Litter)
- crushing – drum/pan granulation
- or compaction – drying/cooling
- classification (e.g., 0.5–4 mm)
- dedusting and packaging
Acid Activation (Bleaching Earth)
- acid dosing in reactors
- mixing/heating, washing/dewatering
- drying
- milling/classification
- packaging
(High corrosiveness – acid-resistant materials and gas scrubbers required.)
Typical Line Components
- crushers and mills
- dryers/coolers
- screens
- drum/paddle mixers
- compactors and crushers
- drum or pan granulators
- coating stations
- silos with aeration and anti-bridging systems
- belt/bucket/screw conveyors
- packaging machines (25–50 kg bags, Big-Bag, bulk loading)
- central dedusting systems
- components in chloride-resistant construction
Safety and Maintenance
- bentonite dust is non-flammable but requires effective dedusting and reduction of uncontrolled emissions
- abrasiveness: wear liners in chutes/bends, monitoring of transport routes
- corrosiveness of acidic vapors (in acid activation): acid-resistant materials, scrubbers/neutralization systems, leak detection
- prevention of bridging in silos (aeration, vibrators, hopper angles), control of caking
Turnkey Scope of Supply
- process engineering (PFD, P&ID, balances, layout), structures and pipe racks, electrical & instrumentation
- delivery and installation: drying, activation, milling + classification, granulation (if applicable), silos, dedusting, packaging and bulk loading
- commissioning and optimization, documentation, training; list of critical spare parts and inspection schedule
Equipment Useful in Bentonite Processing
Mechanical conveyors
for internal transport processes in manufacturing and logistics companies.
Chamber feeders
as power supply elements in high-pressure pneumatic transport systems.
Industrial filters
for thorough purification of gases from dust and fine solid particles.
Ball mills
for grinding loose materials, using ball mills.
Industrial dryers
for effective drying of loose, dusty, fine-grained materials with varying granulation.
Industrial Mixers for Bulk and Liquid Materials
for effective mixing of loose materials, powders, granules, and combining them with liquids.
We shape the future of production
If you are looking for a general contractor for machines or an entire production line, please contact us.
Phone number +48 77 484 42 23
E-mail wakro@wakro.com.pl
Krępna, ul. Zdzieszowicka 51
47-330 Zdzieszowice, Polska