Análisis comparativo para la optimización del defloculante usado en la etapa de molienda para la elaboración de baldosas en una empresa cerámica

Abstract

The ceramic sector is one of the most relevant industries within the country's economy. Its constant growth leads companies producing flat ceramic to optimize their processes and become increasingly more efficient. Then, in the wet grinding and atomizing stages, one of the important variables to control is the deflocculant, which improves the rheology of the ceramic suspension using the least amount of water possible therefore less water to eliminate during atomization, reflected in lower energy consumption. In this degree work, the optimal dosage of the mixture of deflocculants with sodium silicate and sodium polyacrylate from different suppliers was determined, complying with the physicochemical requirements for barbotine established by the company. For the porcelain technology, the two optimal mixtures of deflocculants were: 1) 75% sodium silicate and 25% Spanish polymer and 2) 95% sodium silicate and 5% Mexican polymer, managing to increase the production of atomized powder by 1.55% and 2.54%, respectively, and a total annual economic savings of 4.52% and 17.68%, in each case. On the other hand, in stoneware technology, the optimal mixtures were: 1) 75% sodium silicate and 25% Spanish polymer and 2) 90% sodium silicate and 10% Mexican polymer, increasing the production of atomized powder by 3.05 % and 1.74% with each mixture, linked to a total annual economic savings of 7.29% and 18.45%, respectively.