In refractory processing, the mixing (tempering) of ground refractory batch with water is commonly performed in which type of mill?

Introduction / Context:
After raw materials are ground and sized, refractories are mixed with water or binders to develop a plastic mass for shaping (moulding or extrusion). The equipment chosen affects homogeneity, plasticity, and throughput.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Task is batch mixing of fines with water to a workable plastic consistency.
• We are not discussing size reduction here, only mixing/tempering.
• Uniform wetting and de-airing are desired.

Concept / Approach:
Pug mills, with their counter-rotating paddles or blades in a trough, are purpose-designed to knead, blend, and homogenize damp ceramic masses. Ball/tube/rod mills are primarily for grinding, not for plastic mixing of already-ground batch. Consequently, a pug mill is the standard selection for tempering refractory mixes with water.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify the process step: mixing/tempering, not grinding.Match typical ceramics equipment: pug mill kneads and blends plastic bodies.Exclude grinding-oriented mills (ball, tube, rod).Choose “Pug mill.”

Verification / Alternative check:
Ceramics and refractory handbooks list pugging as the standard before extrusion/pressing of plastic bodies.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Ball/Tube/Rod mills: size reduction, not plastic tempering.Hammer mill: coarse size reduction, not kneading.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing wet-milling of slips with plastic pugging; they are different stages with different equipment.

Final Answer:
Pug mill