Calcium Carbonate Grinding Process: Key Steps and Equipment Selection Guide

Calcium Carbonate Production Line

Calcium Carbonate Grinding Process: Key Steps and Equipment Selection Guide

Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) grinding is a critical process in industries ranging from pharmaceuticals to construction. Achieving the desired particle size distribution requires precise equipment selection and process optimization. This guide explores key steps in calcium carbonate grinding and provides expert recommendations for mill selection.

1. Calcium Carbonate Grinding Process Overview
1.1 Raw Material Preparation

Prior to grinding, calcium carbonate raw materials must undergo:

  • Primary crushing to ≤50mm particles
  • Moisture control (<5% for dry grinding)
  • Magnetic separation to remove ferrous impurities
Process Stage Target Size Equipment Options
Primary Crushing ≤50mm Jaw Crusher, Hammer Mill
Intermediate Grinding 100-500μm MTW/MTM Series Mills
Fine Grinding 5-45μm SCM Ultrafine Mill, LUM Vertical Mill
1.2 Grinding Technology Selection

Three principal grinding mechanisms apply to calcium carbonate:

  1. Impact Grinding: Suitable for coarse to medium fineness (45-150μm)
  2. Compression Grinding: Ideal for narrow particle distribution
  3. Attrition Grinding: Essential for sub-micron particle production
2. Equipment Selection Criteria
2.1 Key Performance Factors

When selecting calcium carbonate grinding equipment, consider:

Factor Requirement Measurement
Energy Efficiency ≤30 kWh/t (for D97=10μm) Specific Energy Consumption
Particle Size Control ±1μm variation Laser Diffraction Analysis
Wear Resistance ≥8,000 operating hours Grinding Media Life
2.2 Recommended Equipment Solutions

For fine to ultra-fine calcium carbonate production (325-2500 mesh), we recommend our SCM Ultrafine Mill series featuring:

  • Vertical turbine classification system for precise particle size control
  • Special alloy grinding components with 3× longer service life
  • Fully automated operation with PLC control

Key technical specifications of SCM series:

Model Capacity (t/h) Power (kW) Fineness (mesh)
SCM800 0.5-4.5 75 325-2500
SCM1000 1.0-8.5 132 325-2500
SCM1680 5.0-25 315 325-2500
3. Process Optimization Techniques
3.1 Energy Saving Measures

Implement these strategies to reduce grinding energy consumption:

  1. Pre-classification of feed material to remove fines
  2. Optimized air flow rates in pneumatic systems
  3. Use of high-efficiency classifiers
3.2 Quality Control Points

Critical parameters for consistent calcium carbonate quality:

  • Whiteness: ≥94% (measured by ISO 2470)
  • Particle shape: Aspect ratio 1:1 to 1:1.3
  • Surface area: 2-28 m²/g (BET method)
4. Advanced Solutions for Specialty Grades

For coated calcium carbonate or nano-grade applications (D50 < 1μm), our LUM Ultrafine Vertical Mill provides:

  • Multi-stage classification system with 99.9% classification efficiency
  • Special material grinding rollers for contamination-free processing
  • Integrated surface modification capability

Technical comparison of fine grinding solutions:

Parameter SCM Ultrafine Mill LUM Vertical Mill
Minimum Particle Size 5μm (D97) 0.5μm (D50)
Energy Consumption 25-35 kWh/t 40-50 kWh/t
Moisture Sensitivity ≤2% ≤5%
Conclusion

Selecting the optimal calcium carbonate grinding system requires balancing production requirements with operational costs. Our SCM and LUM series mills provide comprehensive solutions from coarse grinding to nano-particle production. Contact our technical team for customized system design based on your specific raw material characteristics and product requirements.