GCC And PCC Processing Machines

Ground Calcium Carbonate VS Precipitated Calcium Carbonate

 
Ground calcium carbonate (GCC) and precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) are two common forms of calcium carbonate used in various industries, but they differ in origin, properties, and applications. 


 

Speed ​​Reading： Choose GCC for cost-sensitive, large-scale applications like construction, plastics, or standard coatings. Choose PCC for high-quality, performance-critical applications like pharmaceuticals, high-end paper, or specialized coatings.

 

1. Production Process

GCC (Ground Calcium Carbonate)
 

• Derived from natural sources like limestone, marble, or chalk.
• Produced by mechanically grinding the raw material to desired fineness.
• Retains the original crystalline structure of the source material.

 
PCC (Precipitated Calcium Carbonate)
 

• Manufactured through a chemical process involving the reaction of calcium hydroxide with carbon dioxide.
• Has a controlled crystal morphology and particle size.

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2. Particle Size and Shape

GCC
 

• Irregular particle shape.
• Particle size distribution depends on grinding technology.

 
PCC
 

• Uniform particle size with well-defined shapes (e.g., spherical, rhombohedral, scalenohedral).
• Allows precise control over particle size and morphology.

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3. Purity and Whiteness

GCC
 

• Purity depends on the raw material quality.
• May contain natural impurities.

 
PCC
 

• Higher purity and brightness due to controlled synthesis.

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4. Applications

GCC
 

• Widely used in construction, as a filler in paints, plastics, rubber, and paper.
• Cost-effective for bulk applications.

 
PCC
 

• Preferred for high-performance applications requiring specific properties, such as in pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, and high-quality paper.

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5. Cost

GCC
 

• Generally less expensive due to simpler production.

 
PCC
 

• More expensive due to the chemical synthesis process.

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6. Performance

GCC
 

• Suitable for applications where precision is less critical.
• Lower dispersibility compared to PCC.

 
PCC
 

• Offers better dispersibility, opacity, and gloss in coatings and paper.
• Preferred for its controlled properties and higher performance in specialized applications.

 

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GCC And PCC Processing Machines

 
The production of Ground Calcium Carbonate (GCC) and Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC) involves different processing equipment due to the distinct production methods. Here's an overview of the primary machines used for each:
 

1. GCC Processing Machines

GCC is produced by grinding natural sources of calcium carbonate such as limestone or marble.
 

GCC Processing Machines	Purpose	Types
Crushers	Break down large chunks of raw material into smaller, manageable sizes.	Jaw Crushers Cone Crushers Impact Crushers
Grinding Mills	Pulverize crushed material into fine powders.	Raymond Mills: For coarse and fine grinding. Vertical Roller Mills: Energy-efficient grinding with precise control. HGM Ultrafine Grinding Mills: Produces fine powders up to 2500 mesh, ideal for applications requiring ultra-fine GCC.
Classifiers	Separate particles by size to achieve consistent product fineness.	Air Classifiers Cyclone Separators
Material Handling Equipment	Move raw and processed materials.	Conveyor Belts Bucket Elevators Pneumatic Conveyors
Packaging Machines	Pack GCC powder for distribution.	Valve Bag Filling Machines Bulk Bag Loaders.

2. PCC Processing Machines

PCC is synthesized through chemical reactions, requiring more specialized equipment.
 

PCC Processing Machines	Purpose	Types
Reaction Tanks (Reactors)	Facilitate the chemical reaction between calcium hydroxide (slaked lime) and carbon dioxide.	Stirred Reactors Batch Reactors
Filtration Systems	Remove impurities and ensure product purity.	Plate and Frame Filters Rotary Vacuum Filters
Crystallizers	Control crystal formation to achieve the desired particle shape and size.	Continuous Crystallizers Batch Crystallizers
Dryers	Remove moisture from the PCC slurry.	Spray Dryers (preferred for high-purity PCC). Rotary Dryers
Milling and Classification Systems	Further refine particle size and shape for specific applications.	Ultra fine vertical grinding mills Jet Mills Air Classifiers
Surface Treatment Equipment	Modify PCC particles for better performance in specialized applications.	Surface Coaters (e.g., stearic acid coating).
Packaging Machines	Pack PCC powder for industrial or pharmaceutical use.	Valve Bag Filling Machines Bulk Bag Loaders.