EFFICIENT WET STARCH PREPARATION SYSTEM FOR GYPSUM BOARD PRODUCTION

摘要

The present invention provides a wet starch preparation system for gypsumwallboard comprising a loss-in-weightstarch feeder, a venturi mixer, a vacuum pick-up unit for supplying the drystarch from the feeder at an adjustable rate to theven-turi mixer, a first water pump for supplying water at an adjustable rateto the venturi mixer to form a starch pre-dispersion of fromabout 2% to about 10% by weight starch and a second water pump for supplyinggauging water to the starch pre-dispersion, thesystem equipped with appropriate system controls. The present system providesmore efficient use of starch such that the amountof pregelatinized starch is at least about 10% less than a system in which thestarch is not pre-dispersed in water prior to the boardmixer. The system can be used to make gypsum-containing products includinggypsum wallboard having increased board strengthand reduced board weight.