RIKO® Technology generates totally hydrated bentonite and coal from foundry waste streams. This results in better performing bentonite and reduction of waste disposal.
Waste green sand extraction systems frequently contain large quantities of bentonite and coal dust. The RIKO® process utilizes this waste stream as a source of materials for green sand molding operations creating a high value and sustainable product.
Advantages of utilizing RIKO® in the green sand process include:
- Enhanced molding sand properties, due to a fully hydrated clay binder.
- Improved mold stability during the casting process, resulting in fewer casting defects and demonstrated by increased hot strength properties
- Generally improved molding sand performance
- Reduced bond consumption
- Elimination of dust disposal reducing labor and waste disposal costs.
Application
RIKO slurry, a combination of fully hydrated bentonite binder and carbon has a solid concentration of between 15 to 30% depending on individual foundry requirements. RIKO slurry is introduced to the return sand via the sand cooler or directly to the sand mixer during molding sand preparation. RIKO® compliments existing additions of dry premix with a direct substitution in a minimum 1:1 ratio; greater potential for reductions depends on the application and the foundry implementation.
Fully hydrated bentonite reacts faster than bentonite powder developing significantly improved molding sand properties at a faster rate. This advantage becomes more important when short mixing times are employed, or due to the thermal loading of the sand resulting from extreme variation in the casting program and ever increasing volumes of core sand used in the casting process.
It has been proven that a replacement of up to 20% of new bentonite can be directly replaced by the addition of RIKO slurry.
