Clay processing: which mixing device is vacuum-operated specifically to de-air (remove entrained air from) clay before shaping?

Introduction / Context:
In ceramics and brick/tile manufacture, clay must be homogenized and free of entrained air before extrusion or pressing. Air pockets cause cracks, blistering, and dimensional defects during drying and firing.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Industrial clay preparation prior to shaping.
• Focus on a device that operates under vacuum to deair.

Concept / Approach:
A vacuum pug mill blends, kneads, and simultaneously removes entrained air by drawing vacuum in the mixing chamber. This produces plastic, uniform, air-free clay suitable for continuous extrusion.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify equipment with both mixing and vacuum deairing functions → vacuum pug mill.Banbury and muller mixers are intensive mixers but typically lack integrated vacuum deairing for clay bodies.Therefore, select “Pug mill.”

Verification / Alternative check:
Equipment suppliers for ceramic industry list “vacuum deairing pug mills” as standard just before extrusion.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Banbury: designed for rubber/plastics compounding.Muller: sands/clay mixing without integrated vacuum deairing.None: incorrect because a standard device exists (pug mill).

Common Pitfalls:
Ignoring vacuum level and throughput matching; insufficient moisture control which still traps air despite deairing.

Final Answer:
Pug mill