Plaster of Paris Making Plant

Product Description:- Plaster of Paris is a white powder which hardens after coming in contact with water. The most important use of this product is in plastering in broken bone surgery. It is also used in making decorative tiles, sculpture, etc. Other uses of plaster of Paris include making slip cast refractory blows, architectural decoration for the formation of decorative friezes, cornics, columns, and other decorative features in interior finishes, making impression for dentures, inlays and for the casting of metal fillings, etc... Plaster of Paris is made from gypsum which is a non-metallic mineral. When gypsum is heated to 121⁰C, it loses a property of its water of crystallization and forms a quick setting cement of plaster of Paris.

Rational:- During the last 10 years, the building industry of the country has been expanding greatly. As a result all building materials hare been experiencing rapid growth in demand. Along with the expansion of building construction, the need for plaster of Paris has also bean increasing, Many new buildings. now use plaster of Paris for interior decorations with intricate and attractive designs in ceilings and columns. Though the raw material for making plaster of Paris is available in the country, commercial production of plaster of Paris has been non-existent. The domestic demand for this product is still being met by imports. Given the increasing demand for this product and the availability of the raw material, it is only economic common sense to promote the production of this product in the country. The Amhara Region is an ideal place for the plant since the raw material is found in many places.

Market Potential:- The great expansion of building construction in/all parts of the country is a clear indication of the existence of a substantial demand for plaster of Paris. The other uses of the product also increases its demand Plaster of Paris can be produced by any scale of operation and this will make a small scale plant financially viable.

Source of Raw material:- localities where there are gypsum deposits.

Process and Technology:- Raw gypsum is first broken into small pieces in a disintegrator. Lumps of white gypsum up to a maximum of 10cm sizes are washed with water to lower the silica, iron, aluminum oxide and carbonate in an open cement drying yard. If the raw material is marine gypsum, then it must be washed with water followed by further washing by dilute sulphuric acid to remove the chloride. Then the gypsum is pulverized and sieved and taken to the calciner for calcinations. The temperature of the calcining kettle is maintained between 120⁰C to 140⁰C to 3 hours with continuous mixing of the powder. Later the powder is ground in a ball mill to 200 mesh. The product is packed in airtight containers like polythene bags or drums. Main plant and machinery include ball mills, tray dryer, wash tank, filter pans, humidification chamber, calciner.