METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CERAMIC SLABS AND / OR TILES

Description

305.104.BI.24! ! Description METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SLABS AND / OR TILES CERAMICS On behalf of: BALELLI, Aldo Tomaso #! Designated Inventor: BALELLI, Aldo Tomaso * * *! Technical field The present invention relates to a method and a system for the $%! production of ceramic slabs and tiles, as well as a plant for producing such products. Known art The need to mass produce ceramic products has been known for some time, particular products such as slabs, tiles and similar products. $#! Tiles, like ceramic slabs, are usually produced with a standardized technological system, which provides for the dosage of materials first, continuously, to mix the different components intended to be part of of the dough. These are normally materials with physical and very different rheological properties: for example plastic materials, fluxes, stabilizers, "%! etc. Each component serves to control one or more qualitative parameters of the product, such as stability in green, dry, and cooking conditions, to obtain quality desired quality of fired ceramic tiles, for example made tangible by the colour of the dough, from the water absorption capacity, from the regularity dimensional, the absence of surface defects and many other parameters "#! measurable. ! "! 305.104.BI.24! ! The production process then proceeds with the grinding of the raw materials for reduce them to a sufficiently fine grain size. In the case of dry milling, the raw materials, dosed according to a specific recipe, they are previously dried until they obtain a #! determined degree of humidity. The dried raw materials are then subjected to a grinding process, all together or separately, and then mix the individual components and obtain a ground mixture. Subsequently, a certain amount of flour is added to the ground mixture. of water, and possibly, in addition or in substitution, a certain $%! mixture of clays previously dissolved in water using propeller dissolvers. The ground mixture is thus hydrated, up to a water content of approximately 18% in weight, is treated to obtain a product in granular form, for example by means of a rotating drum, called a granulator. Subsequently the humidity of the granulated product is reduced to a content of approximately 8%, $#! for example using a fluid bed dryer, until powders are obtained “granulate” with a predetermined water content. In the case of wet milling, however, the raw materials are added with a high quantity of water, usually equal to 35% of the total weight, inside a mill, usually a rotary drum mill, "%! loaded with spheres, usually made of alumina, to obtain the ground raw materials, to the desired grain size, in a fluid form, in which they are called “slip”. The slip is then dried in atomizers, to bring the water content back to a value between usually between 6 and 8% and obtain “atomized” powders. "#! In known plants, which operate wet grinding, the aforementioned atomizers ! &! 305.104.BI.24! ! they extract the water from the slip, receiving the latter in a pressurized flow, at about 27 bar, in the nebulized state, in countercurrent to a flow of hot air at a temperature of approximately 500°C. The atomizer has significant economic and environmental disadvantages, due to #! to the huge energy and water consumption, as well as to the emissions of fine particles and CO . As regards water consumption, the use of atomisers involves certainly a high ecological cost. It should also be considered that gases also come out of the atomizer chimney $%! dust, in addition to combustion fumes and extracted water. The dust emitted by ceramics is mostly silicon, the effect of which in lung disease is known to cause both silicosis, tuberculosis and cancer. In addition to workers inside the factories, it is important to consider the exposure of the population and therefore the potential negative impacts that $#! The release of these harmful dusts into the atmosphere has a negative impact on health. Finally, it is important to highlight how atomizers also emit high amount of CO . These are therefore considerable emissions, with a negative impact on both environmental, as well as economic, which should not be overlooked. "%! Processes using dry grinding also have an impact considerable, for the purchase and energy supply of bed dryers fluid, usually used for drying granulated powders. In both cases, dry and wet grinding, the known plants include silos with a capacity of at least 80 tons, to store the powders "#! obtained and which have a humidity between 6% and 8%. Storage ! '! 305.104.BI.24! ! It preferably lasts about 48 hours, to allow the degree of homogenization of humidity of the individual grains. These silos require space in warehouses of height remarkable, as well as belts for loading and unloading materials. The impact in terms of investment is considerable, particularly for #! the purchase of silos, usually made of carbon steel, often made of stainless steel stainless steel, of the complex system required for loading and unloading and for the controls, of the expensive dust extraction systems, as well as for the construction of warehouses of adequate height, even over 25 metres. Furthermore, despite the use of extraction systems, it is observed that dust Unwanted $%! remain, albeit in small quantities, in the work environment, thus representing a toxicity risk for the workers in the department. Both dry grinding and wet grinding require high energy consumption, in the form of gas or other heat sources. As a result of the respective grinding processes, dry or wet, the powders $#! granulated or atomized must be both sufficiently moist to take on the plasticity necessary for shaping the ceramic product or slab, traditionally performed by pressing, both dry enough to present the necessary flow fluidity, in the storage silos and in the phases loading the presses. "%! According to known methods, the shaping of powders, whether they are “granulated” or “atomized”, usually occurs through pressing. Forming by pressing can be intermittent, continuous or semi-continuous. Intermittent pressing involves a compressive action on the powders, "#! fed into specific molds of the desired size. ! #! 305.104.BI.24! ! Continuous or semi-continuous pressing is suitable for the production of slabs ceramics and possibly ceramic tiles or "sub-formats", obtainable by cutting the obtained sheets, after forming and / or cooking. #! According to the continuous process, a layer of powders, atomized or granulated, having a width and thickness corresponding to the product to be obtained, is placed on a first belt placed in continuous and uniform advancement, and pressed for progressive crushing by a second belt placed above the first. Compaction occurs due to the difference in thickness between the layer of $%! atomized incoming and outgoing. According to the semi-continuous process, the atomized or granulated powders are brought forward on a belt and pressed directly on the belt, from high-power presses. More precisely, the powders advance on the belt, reach the press workstation, are stopped for $#! to be subjected to the compression action, after having been previously loaded under the press in a predetermined quantity. Subsequently, the pressed powders advance again on the belt. In both cases, after forming, the formed product can be trimmed laterally. The waste resulting from trimming can be reintroduced into the cycle "%! productive only after specific reworking. A limitation of all the above mentioned types of forming is that the possible formats, especially the maximum formats, are conditioned by the sizing of the forming machine chosen for the plant. Even the smallest formats are predetermined by the pressing machine, as there are important "#! technological and mechanical limitations in the compaction of small formats and, ! (! 305.104.BI.24! ! at the same time, it is not convenient to cut the sheets to obtain formats smaller than submultiples, due to the inevitable and costly waste. For example, from a maximum width format of 1600 mm it is it is possible to obtain by cutting sub-formats of side equal to a submultiple, for example #! example of 800 mm, 400 mm or 200 mm, while it is not convenient to get formats of 600 mm, 900 mm or 1000 mm, due to the amount of waste that is generated would result. Furthermore, a press for a maximum format of 1800 mm could also press a smaller format, for example 1600 mm, but this would reduce production efficiency, due to operation at reduced capacity $%! pressing and, furthermore, could cause the onset of mechanical problems and technological. The forming processes usually employed are therefore very rigid and they do not allow you to easily obtain any format. Since the format is one of the aesthetic characteristics of the product, the $#! the above mentioned forming processes do not allow tile manufacturers to differentiate yourself from the competition through format. A forming process is also known which involves a pressing action extrusion. This process is based on the preparation of a dough ceramic in plastic form, characterized by a humidity of around 16 – 18%, "%! which makes it suitable for forming using an extrusion press. The extruder press, operating under vacuum by means of one or more propellers, forces the plastic mixture through a geometry matrix corresponding to the format to be obtained, therefore having the desired width and thickness. However, this method has considerable limitations in its use, as more than one "#! certain size and below a certain thickness of the product to be !) 305.104.BI.24! ! get, it is not usable. Presentation of the invention The aim of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned problems, devising a method and system for the production of slabs and / or tiles #! ceramics that allow you to flexibly obtain the desired formats. A further object of the invention is to provide a method and a system which decouple the choice of formats to be produced from the machines as much as possible forming installed in the plant, both in terms of maximum producible format, which is used to optimise the sub-formats resulting from cutting the sheet. $%! Another aim of the invention is to propose a method and a system which allow to minimize, in particular, the consumption of thermal energy and waterfall. It is a further aim of the invention to provide a method and a system for the production of ceramic slabs and / or tiles capable of minimising the impact $#! environmental, in particular with regard to the emission of dust and carbon dioxide carbonic. A further object of the invention is to provide a system for the production of ceramic slabs and / or tiles with a smaller footprint compared to systems of a known type, with certainly reliable operation, for use "%! versatile, as well as relatively inexpensive. Furthermore, the purpose of the invention is to provide a plant in which the forming means can be used for a wide range of formats, as well as for the optimization of the sub-formats obtained by cutting the cooked product. Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and a system which "#! allow energy to be recovered from at least one phase of the process itself. ! *! 305.104.BI.24! ! The above mentioned purposes are achieved, according to the present invention, by the method for the production of ceramic slabs and / or tiles according to claim 1, as well as from the system according to claim 10. The method for producing ceramic slabs and / or tiles involves #! prepare a measured quantity of ceramic mixture in a plastic form. By ceramic mixture in “plastic form” we mean a ceramic mixture suitable to be formed by an extrusion process. Preferably, to obtain the ceramic mixture in plastic form, the method It involves preparing a measured quantity of solid raw materials, adding $%! to it a certain percentage by weight of water, to grind the same dosed quantity of solid materials by means of a measuring apparatus wet grinding, adding to it a certain percentage in weight of water, in order to obtain a slip with an initial content of humidity. The method can then provide for separation by means of a group $#! separator a first quota of the given percentage of water from the slip, by means of mechanical separation, for example by a filter press, to obtain the ceramic mixture in plastic form. Alternatively, preferably, to obtain the above mentioned ceramic mixture in the form plastic, the method may involve grinding the above-mentioned dosed quantity of "%! solid raw materials by means of a dry grinding apparatus, and, if necessary, dissolve particularly wet clays in water. The method it can then be expected to add a certain amount of flour to the dry-ground mixture percentage of water, and / or the aforementioned clays previously dissolved in water, to obtain a ceramic mixture in plastic form with a certain "#! percentage of water, so that it is capable of being formed by ! +! 305.104.BI.24! ! extrusion. According to a prerogative of the method according to the invention, it is then provided for extrude the ceramic mixture into plastic form using an extruder unit featuring a matrix having a material outlet opening, having a #! different shape, in size and / or geometry, from the shape of the cross-section of the product to be obtained. In particular, the aforementioned opening preferably has a substantially equivalent area, but not less, therefore equal or greater, to the cross-sectional area of ​​the ceramic product, tile or slab, desired. $%! In particular, the shape of the aperture of the above matrix is ​​independent, in different particular, from the shape of the section of the product to be obtained, sheet or tile. More precisely, the shape of the matrix opening optimizes the flow of the ceramic mixture through the matrix itself. The extruded dough is then preferably sectioned to a length $#! predetermined and continuously formatted until it takes on the desired format through a plastic deformation process through roller rolling, implemented by a training group. Cutting can be done immediately after plastic forming, or after drying, or cooked product. "%! Subsequently, the formed dough is dried, to extract a second share of the percentage of water, by means of a drying group. Finally, the dough is cooked and dried in a cooking equipment. The method according to the invention allows the production of tiles and / or slabs "#! ceramics, especially large format, using a shaping method, ! $%! 305.104.BI.24! ! comprising an extrusion phase and a subsequent rolling phase, which overcomes the limitations of known forming methods for such products, which, in particular, use extruder groups having format extrusion matrices. For “format extrusion matrices “format extrusion” means that the known matrices for tiles and / or slabs #! ceramics have a moulding shape that reproduces the sheet-like form, that is, thin rectangular, to be produced. These known matrices, therefore, present the disadvantage of offering a high resistance to extrusion, which is transmitted to the material pushing device, usually made by one or more propellers, of the extruder group. This resistance is greater the higher the $%! ratio between the perimeter and the cross-sectional area of ​​the ceramic product to be obtained, therefore especially in large formats. In particular, in the known methods the difficulties increase as the width of the desired slab or tile increases, therefore of the perimeter of the section of the product format coming out of the press and with the decrease in thickness, therefore in cases of thin section. $#! Preferably the method can have the advantage of avoiding, in the case of the dry grinding, the use of clay dryers, which otherwise cannot be ground. The method, in fact, preferably involves dissolving the clays in water, and then add them to other materials, for example feldspars and / or sands or other clays schistose, dry ground. "%! The method can also avoid the use of spray dryers, called “atomizers”, for the extraction of water from the slip, in the case of wet grinding. This it leads to significant savings in plant costs and resource consumption energy, mainly natural gas, and water, as well as a reduction of the environmental impact, in terms of water consumption, CO2 emissions and "#! fine dust. ! $$! 305.104.BI.24! ! The method according to the invention is preferably carried out continuously, not thus requiring some storage for the homogenization of the content of humidity of the “granulated” or “atomized” material. The product coming out of the dry and wet grinding or wet grinding, by #! extraction of water preferably through mechanical processes, can feed the extruder press directly, except for any treatments intermediate mechanics using known type machines, for the optimal introduction of the material in the extrusion press. Therefore, the process can eliminate storage silos, which are necessary both $%! for atomized powders, in the case of wet grinding, than for powders regranulate, in the case of dry grinding. This may result in a considerable savings, avoiding the purchase of silos, but also of structures load-bearing and service metal structures, loading and unloading systems and installations dust extraction. Even in terms of civil engineering, warehouses require $#! lower investments, since, not having to house the storage silos and wet grinding equipment can be sized to more limited heights. With the known forming methods it is therefore difficult, if not impossible, and in any case uneconomical, extrude directly into large tiles or slabs "%! size, meaning by large size, for example, square formats having dimensions such as 800mmx800mm, 1000mmx1000mm, 1200 mmx1200mm, 1600x1600 mm, and rectangular sheets with dimensions such as for example 1200mmx 2400mm, 1600mm x 3200 mm, with standard thicknesses, for example 10 or 20 mm, but also and above all with thin thicknesses, equal for example to 4 or 6 "#! mm. ! $"! 305.104.BI.24! ! In fact, the known matrices, with format output, i.e. having a shape with width and thickness substantially equal to that of the desired product, require a propeller or several considerably large propellers, capable of generating action dynamics, but also friction, equally considerable. Furthermore, in the methods known with #! format output, the maximum format width is set by the size diameter of the propeller, or propellers. For example, to produce a sheet with a width of 1600 mm and a thickness of equal to 14 mm, with a 40 mm trim on each side, a drying shrinkage of 6%, a 7% firing shrinkage and a 5mm firing correction on each side is necessary $%! to obtain, after forming, a plate 1,920 mm wide and 16 mm thick thickness, equivalent to a cross-sectional area of ​​30,720 mm, and perimeter equal to at 3872 mm. According to known methods, the extrusion press, operating with format extrusion, should have a matrix with an outlet mouth of almost 2 meters, generating $#! high friction and forces on the matrix, while the maximum size would still be limited by the maximum width of the matrix. According to the invention, however, the matrix simply needs to be equipped with an exit opening having an area of ​​approximately 30,720 mm, without having to have, necessarily the final shape, therefore the width and thickness, of the "%! finished tile, but rather a shape more suitable for the correct extrusion flow of the material. For example, the above mentioned shape can be for example about 960 mm in width and 32 mm in thickness, or 640 mm in width and 48 mm in thickness, or any shape chosen according to the fluidity of the material, which keep the cross-section at no less than 30,720 mm. "#! This leads to a significant reduction in the press outlet opening ! $&! 305.104.BI.24! ! extruder, the related purchase costs and electricity consumption. Furthermore, according to the invention, with the same matrix it is also possible to produce formats of slabs with a width greater than 1600 mm, decreasing their thickness, equal surface area of ​​the product section exiting the matrix, #! simply by rolling at smaller thicknesses; following for illustrative purposes the cited example, to obtain, with the same matrix, a final format of 1800 mm for 12.44 mm thickness. Therefore, according to the invention the requirements in terms of sizing of the extrusion press, such as die width, $%! sizing of the propeller or propellers, resulting in cost reduction systems and energy consumption. The method according to the invention involves the use of an extrusion die, shaped in such a way that the ratio between the perimeter of the section and the the surface area of ​​the section should be reduced as much as possible. This allows us to obtain $#! a surface area of ​​the material exiting the matrix, equivalent to the surface area of ​​the final format of the desired tile or slab, but of a different shape. Furthermore, the method according to the invention allows to partially release the choice of extrusion press with the desired format or thickness, being able to obtain larger formats with a smaller thickness, or formats with a smaller width at "%! greater thickness, with the same extrusion press, simply by choosing a matrix having an opening of suitable section, and / or sectioning the product into exit from the extrusion press, in order to obtain the volume quantity of material corresponding to the desired format, and varying the lamination procedure. "#! The method according to the invention allows to produce large tiles or slabs ! $'! 305.104.BI.24! ! formed by extrusion, not by format, otherwise extremely difficult, for the reasons stated above. Likewise, the method allows to reduce the size of the press extruder, thus reducing purchase and maintenance costs and consumption of #! equipment. The method according to the invention allows to release the size of the extruder press, as well as the maximum size of the die, from the format maximum producible. In fact, according to the invention the maximum obtainable size no longer limited by the width of the die or the power of the press $%! extruder. The method allows to release the related sub-formats resulting from the cutting of the produced slab, which can be of any desired size, avoiding scraps. In fact, the size of the plate can easily be an exact multiple of the subformat. $#! The cross-section area of ​​the product exiting the extrusion press, therefore from the matrix, can be chosen according to the size and thickness of the tile or desired plate. The shape of the matrix is ​​advantageously chosen as a function of the friction, based on to the fluidity of the material to be extruded, however independent of the shape of the "%! tile or slab to be produced, taking into account the area of ​​the opening of the matrix. After extrusion, the method involves sectioning the product into output at a predetermined length based on the desired format, and then proceed to continuously form the product by crushing, in "#! particular by rolling, through one or more forming groups in ! $#! 305.104.BI.24! ! succession, including rollers or similar equipment, up to achieving the desired format. Plastic deformation is expected through one or more successive laminations. The rolling phase preferably includes both axial rolling, #! carried out by means of rollers oriented perpendicular to the direction of material advancement, to thin and lengthen the material, is a transverse rolling, carried out using inclined rollers, for example at 45°, with respect to the longitudinal direction of material feed, to increase specifically the width of the product. $%! Alternatively, or in addition, you can plan to rotate, for example, a 90 degree angle, the extruded product, previously sectioned to size default, to laminate it with axial rolling until the size is obtained appropriate to the width of the desired slab or tile, and then rotate the material of the same angle again and continue the process of $#! axial rolling until obtaining the measurement corresponding to the length of the slab or tile, as well as the desired width and thickness. It should be emphasized that the method according to the invention does not present the limitations resulting from the deaeration of the powders and the intermittent forming of the known type of forming systems, and therefore allows to produce at speeds of "%! higher progress. Furthermore, the plastic forming forces required are significantly lower than the forming forces by pressing, with obvious savings in electricity and maintenance, as well as machine costs. In particular, the plastic forming proposed by the invention avoids the disadvantages "#! of pressing forming, especially the high pressures required ! $(! 305.104.BI.24! ! from pressing, the abrasion wear of the moulds, at the contact surface between press and material, which makes frequent adjustments necessary replacements. The molds, among other things, are particularly expensive, especially if they feature particular graphics that shape the surface of the slab and / or the #! tile, known as “structures”. According to the invention, however, the surface of the tile being thus formed still plastic, it is possible to print, by pressing with a continuous roller of known type, the desired graphics or decorations, both on the upper side and on the side of the brand, low cost. $%! The ceramic material just preformed by lamination can be sectioned in shape, preferably by means of known type of flying cuts, and trimmed at the edges. Currently the lateral trimming of ceramic material slabs formed with systems known, especially from atomized, presents a difficulty in recycling the material trimmed, as it is pre-pressed material, and requires special $#! recycling systems through flouring, re-humidification, and reintroduction into the pressing cycle, with maximum recycling volume limits, or, in the worst cases, the dilution of the recycled material with water and its reintroduction into the cycle atomization, affecting costs and environmental impact. On the contrary, thanks to the method according to the invention, the trimmed product is already "%! suitable for re-entering the extrusion process without any quantitative limit, and without requiring any additional compliance process. The tiles formed by rolling can then be transferred to a mesh transport or similar means for an initial drying, in order to provide a level of mechanical rigidity that allows it to be transported on rollers. "#! The tiles thus dried can then be placed in a dryer ! $)! 305.104.BI.24! ! rollers, preferably multi-level. According to the invention, the method may provide for the use, preferably and in a significant share, particularly a majority, both in the first and in the second second drying phase, of recovered thermal energy, produced not only #! from the first cooling zone, but also from the cooling zones final stage of the tile firing kiln. According to known methods, this energy, residual from the final cooling zones, It is not used in the tile production process, as, although it is high volumes of hot air are available, the temperature of this air flow is not $%! high enough to be used in any of the stages of the methods of production of a known type. Therefore, in known methods the residual hot air is expelled into the atmosphere without any effective recovery within the process. Therefore, the method according to the invention allows to significantly reduce the energy expenditure, as well as the environmental impact through an effective $#! recovery. According to a particular aspect, more precisely, in the case of grinding wet, it is possible to recycle a considerable portion of the process water, otherwise dispersed in the environment, avoiding atomization and extracting the water from the ceramic slip by mechanical means, for example by means of a "%! filter press. According to a further particular aspect, it is therefore possible to avoid the use of atomizers and therefore reduce, if not eliminate, the emission of fine dust in environment. In practice, the method therefore allows for the reduction of the emission of high-level dust. "#! silica content, which is known to be extremely harmful to the body. ! $*! 305.104.BI.24! ! Furthermore, in the case of wet grinding, the method preferably does not use fuel for extracting water from the slip, or, in milling dry, for drying clays and moistened ground material, and therefore it allows to avoid a considerable share of CO emissions in #! atmosphere, which instead are presented with the known methods. The system according to the invention, suitable for implementing the aforementioned method, comprises at least one piece of equipment for grinding a certain quantity dosed solid raw materials, an extruder group, a forming group by roller rolling of the material extruded from the extruder group, a $%! drying unit and at least one piece of equipment for cooking the material formed and dried. The grinding equipment can be of the wet or dry type, of known type. In the case of a wet process, the equipment includes preferably a separator group for separation, by means $#! mechanical, of an initial amount of water from the slip. In the case of a process dry, the apparatus preferably includes means for dosing water and the mixing of dry and wet components. The system may also include further known means, for example for the decoration, such as by glazing, and finishing the product. "%! A heat recovery group is also preferably provided to recover heat energy, at least partially, from the hot air produced by the furnace cooking and thus feed, at least partially, the drying unit. The aforementioned system is therefore more compact and relatively cheaper than a plant of a known type, for the production of ceramic slabs and / or tiles, both "#! from a plant engineering point of view, as well as for the required civil works. ! $+! 305.104.BI.24! ! Furthermore, the system according to the invention minimizes thermal energy consumption, electric and environmental impact, thus preserving the environment and the health of the population. Brief description of the drawings #! The details of the invention will become more evident from the description detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the method for producing ceramic slabs and / or tiles, illustrated for illustrative purposes in the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic plan of a plant for the production of $%! ceramic slabs and / or tiles according to the invention; Figures 2 and 3 show a schematic side and plan view respectively of a section of the system according to the invention; Figure 4 shows a flowchart, representing the operational phases provided for by the method according to the invention, in a first embodiment; $#! Figure 5 schematically shows part of a plant layout according to the invention, in a second embodiment. Embodiments of the invention With particular reference to Figures 1 to 3, the method according to the invention is feasible, for example, by a plant 10 for the production of tiles "%! ceramics. The system 10 preferably comprises at least one dosing group 1 of the raw materials or receives solid material in appropriate quantities. The system 10 according to the invention comprises at least one apparatus 2 for wet grinding of raw materials, for the production of a "#! aqueous suspension, usually called “slip”, a group ! "%! 305.104.BI.24! ! water separator 3 from the slip, an extruder group 4, in particular an extrusion press equipped with a special die, and a forming group 5. The system 10 also includes a drying unit 6 and an equipment of cooking 7 of the dried and formed dough obtained from the material through the #! process. The system may also include a sieving group S and possibly deferrization, placed between the grinding equipment 2 and the group separator 3, a shredding group M, interposed between the separator group 3 and the extruder group 4, a heat recovery group R1 and a recovery group $%! water R2, for the recovery of thermal energy from cooking equipment 7 and for the recovery of water quotas from the separator group 3 and possibly from the training group 5, respectively, described in detail below (see figures 1 and 3). The dosing group 1, of a known type, is configured to dose, by means of a $#! continuous weighing system, the different raw materials of a given recipe for the production of ceramic tiles. Dosing group 1 allows therefore to obtain a measured quantity of pre-established raw materials. The wet grinding apparatus 2, also known, can be made for example by a ball mill, configured to add to the "%! dosed quantity of raw materials a certain percentage by weight of water, in order to obtain, after grinding, the slip. This percentage by weight can be equal to 35%, or included in a appropriate range, for example of a few percentage points, around this value. The water separator group 3 from the slip is preferably of the type "#! mechanical. For example, the separator group 3 is made by means of a ! "$! 305.104.BI.24! ! filter press, which can be continuous or discontinuous, chosen depending on the minimum percentage of water in the mixture for correct grinding, taking into account account of the water-soluble substances that may be dissolved in the water, mechanically extracted. The separator group 3 performs the function of reducing #! the humidity of the slip up to a value of approximately 18%. The system 10 can usefully comprise, downstream of the separator group 3, a shredding group M, designed to reduce the size of the product partially dried by separator group 3. The reduction in size is useful and helps facilitate the entry of the product $%! in the extruder group or extruder press 4. The extruder press 4 has a die, which defines an opening, i.e. a mouth through which the plastic ceramic material is pushed to be so extruded. The aforementioned opening advantageously has a shape having an area $#! substantially equivalent to the cross-section of the product, tile or slab, from obtain, as well as, preferably, a perimeter as small as possible. In this way, the plastic material is extruded into a substantially distributed around a longitudinal axis. This shape usefully allows for obtain formats of any size, therefore also sheets or thin formats, "%! without defects. In practice the shape of the opening that characterizes the matrix is ​​not thin, as in the extruder presses usually used in the ceramic sector. For "thin" is in fact it means a section in which a transversal dimension, for example the width in the case of a rectangular profile, predominates over the other, for example the "#! thickness of the same profile, thus determining a concentration of the ! ""! 305.104.BI.24! ! surface around a major axis of the section. According to the invention, however, the shape of the opening of the matrix of the group extruder or extruder press 4 has a different shape, in particular independent of the cross-sectional shape of the finished product to be obtained. On the contrary, #! it is chosen according to the cross-section area of ​​the finished product, as well as the material flow dynamics at the outlet. The plant usefully includes cutting means to section the material extruded, in formation or formed. The forming group 5 is made by means of a conveyor belt, for example $%! of steel, or other material, possibly semi-porous, and by a series of rollers of forming 50, configured to crush the extruded product brought in advancement on the aforementioned conveyor belt, which also moves at the same time speed of the material. In practice, the forming takes place in this case by means of rolling, i.e. by plastic deformation of the extruded material. $#! More precisely, the forming group 5 may comprise forming rollers 50 arranged perpendicular to the direction of advancement of the plates and / or tiles in formation, alternating with forming rollers 51 arranged at an angle, for example 45°, with respect to the same direction (see figures 2 and 3). The training group 5 may also include orientation tools 52, suitable for "%! rotate the appropriately sectioned material, for example by 90°, on the plane of power supply, to optimize the shaping (see figures 2 and 3). The forming group 5 can also include one or more drying sections E, for the possible elimination of interstitial water, expelled during the lamination (see figure 1). "#! The plant 10 preferably comprises, downstream of the forming unit 5, a ! "&! 305.104.BI.24! ! decorating group, for example made by a series of decorating rollers, configured for the plastic impression on the product formed by structures suitable for provide a desired graphic and / or sub-brand. The plant 10 also preferably comprises a finishing station, for #! simplicity not represented in figure 1, to allow cutting to size and the lateral finishing of the preformed ceramic material ribbon, exiting from the forming group 5 which carries out the plastic deformation process. It is possible to foresee a pre-drying group on net or other means similar, configured to give rigidity to ceramic tiles or slabs, $%! sufficient for transport to the next stages. For example, the pre-group Drying is useful if the dryer group 6 is of the roller type. The drying unit 6, preferably with rollers, can be of a known type and is used for extract a second portion of the percentage of water initially introduced, from the plastic ceramic material. $#! Advantageously, the drying unit 6 is supplied with hot air coming, through the heat recovery group R1, from at least one cooking appliance 7, present in plant 10. It is observed that in the known systems, however, the heat coming from the areas of cooling of the firing kilns is not used in the ceramic process, in "%! when diluted in high volumes of air at temperatures around 80°C. In addition, the drying unit 6 can be associated with a device auxiliary power supply 60, to support the supply of thermal energy to the dryer group 6, for example when the supply of hot air comes from from the cooking appliance 7 is missing, for example if it is switched off, or "#! reduced. The auxiliary power supply device 60 can be made in the ! "'! 305.104.BI.24! ! shape of a burner inserted into an air supply pipe, preferably from the same heat recovery group R1. The cooking apparatus 7 is preferably a known type of roller oven. single-layer or multi-layer, suitable for firing for the production of slabs and / or #! ceramic tiles. It therefore includes 70 cooling zones, from which the R1 heat recovery group can take hot air, useful for power the dryer group 6 (see figure 1). The operation of the system which implements the method according to the invention is understandable from the preceding description. $%! In a first preparation phase, a specific recipe, a measured quantity of solid raw materials, suitable for the production of ceramic tiles. We then proceed, for example, to wet grinding the recipe, adding to this measured quantity a certain percentage by weight of $#! water, in order to obtain a slip, therefore an aqueous suspension of particles of solid materials. This percentage by weight can be for example equal to, greater than or less than 35%. We then proceed to separate a quantity from the ground slip in excess of water, that is, a first quota of the given percentage (in "%! weight) of water, initially introduced, by mechanical separation. The next phase involves the product coming out of the first separation of water is inserted into the extrusion press through a mechanical process 4. The material coming from the extrusion press 4, therefore of elongated shape, "#! advances in the forming group 5. In particular, the extruded material flows into a ! "#! 305.104.BI.24! ! shape suitable for extrusion, the section of which has a surface substantially equal to or slightly greater than the surface area of ​​the section of the slab or tile desired. In particular, the extruded material advances on the conveyor belt of the group #! trainer 5, suitably sized, sectioned to size, for example by cutting on the fly to the desired size, and in motion substantially at the same speed as the extruded product. The material is therefore continuously deformed, through a series of steps, operated by the forming rollers 50, 51 which, by progressively crushing the material, $%! for height difference with respect to the sliding plane, define the final dimensions of width and thickness, in accordance with the quantity of existing material: with the same quantity of material, different formats can be obtained larger sizes at lower thicknesses, or smaller sizes at higher thicknesses. Greater thicknesses for the same size or larger sizes for the same thickness $#! can be obtained simply by changing the outlet, i.e. the matrix, of the extrusion press, so that the cross-sectional surface of the dough extruded equals the cross-sectional surface of the desired product or sectioning the material to a length corresponding to the total volume of required material, varying its rolling form. "%! The rolling forming step(s) can be axial, i.e. with the 50 rolling rollers placed substantially perpendicular to the to the material feed axis A, for forming of the thickness and in length, and to a lesser extent in width, and / or with inclined rolling rollers 51, positioned inclined with respect to the feed axis A, for example 45°, or "#! however of an appropriate angle to obtain a greater ! "(! 305.104.BI.24! ! plastic deformation in the direction of the width of the slab or tile desired. Alternatively or additionally, the sectioned material can be rotated on the plane of power supply from the orientation means 52, for example 90°, to obtain the #! Sizing the width of the desired slab or tile. Subsequently, axial rolling can be carried out up to a predetermined measurement, to then start the rotation of the material again by means of the orientation means 52, for example 90 degrees, to determine the final measurements of the product, in width, length and thickness. $%! Following the forming operations through forming group 5, the material takes the form of a homogeneous layer, having thickness and desired width. The material thus formed continues to proceed without interruption, to be suitably cut to the desired dimensions, of sheets or sub-formats, always $#! proceeding without stopping, that is, continuously. Subsequently, this material is formed, cut and preferably finished to edges, which therefore has the shape of a slab or tile, albeit in a wet form and plastic, is introduced into the dryer group 6 where, thanks to the contribution energy supplied by the heat recovery group R1 and possibly "%! to the additional contribution of the auxiliary power supply device 60, can to be dried. Preferably it is possible to recover through an RS waste recovery line. materials left over from edge finishing or cutting (see figure 2), by inserting them into the extruder press 4. "#! Finally, the formed and dried material can be transferred, in a known manner, to the ! ")! 305.104.BI.24! ! subsequent production stages, such as decoration and firing. According to a different embodiment, illustrated for illustrative purposes in figure 5, the 10' system may include, in place of the wet grinding equipment a 2' equipment for the #! dry grinding of pre-dosed raw materials, e.g. a mill rollers. The 2' dry grinding equipment can be powered by a 1A dry material dosing system. The 10' plant also includes a 20' dry sieving unit, connected $%! at the entrance to the dry grinding equipment 2'. The 10' plant can also include a 21' wet clay dissolving unit, fed by a respective dosing system 1B. The dissolving group 21' is also fed by process water, introduced in adequate proportions for dissolve the clays. $#! Finally, the 10' plant can include, in the grinding section and preparation of the plastic mixture to be fed into the extruder press 4, as described above, a 22' mixer group, connected at the input to the dry sieving group 20' on one side and the dissolving group 21' on the other. For the rest, the 10' plant replicates, from extruder group 4 onwards, the same "%! groups described above, such as, in particular, the rolling group 5 and the drying group 6. The method according to the invention and the system which implements it therefore achieve the aim of reducing the consumption of thermal energy, water, as well as the environmental impact environmental impact of the production process of ceramic slabs and / or tiles. "#! In particular, the method according to the invention and the system that implements it are in ! "*! 305.104.BI.24! ! capable of significantly reducing dust and carbon dioxide emissions. The system described as an example is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants depending on different needs. In the practical implementation of the invention, the materials used, as well as the shape and #! dimensions, can be any depending on your needs. Where the technical features mentioned in each claim are followed by reference marks, such reference marks have been included only aim to increase understanding of the claims and consequently they they do not have a limiting value on the purpose of each element identified by title $%! example from such reference signs. ! "+!

Claims

305. 104.BI.24! ! 1. Method for the production of ceramic slabs and / or tiles, comprising the following phases: a. prepare a measured quantity of solid raw materials; $! b. grind said measured quantity of solid raw materials; c. before or after the grinding phase of the said dosed quantity of materials solid raw materials, add to it a certain percentage of water by weight and, finally, obtain a plastic ceramic mixture; d. extrude said plastic ceramic material by means of a group %#! extruder (4) featuring a die having an opening of material output, having a different shape, for dimensions and / or geometry, from the shape of the cross-section of the product to be obtained; e. continuously form the extruded ceramic material by means of a plastic deformation process through roller rolling, %$! implemented by a training group (5); f. dry said formed material, extracting a portion of said percentage of water, by means of a drying group (6); g. to cook the formed and dried material in a cooking equipment (7). &#! 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said the opening of the said matrix has a surface area substantially equal to greater than the surface of the section of the ceramic product, tile or slab, to be produced.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by: &$! fact that this phase and. of forming occurs through a succession of ! "#! 305.104.BI.24! ! forming rollers (50, 51), arranged perpendicular to a direction of advancement (A) of the material and / or inclined differently with respect to said direction of advancement (A), said rollers (50, 51) being able to crush said extruded plastic material, in width and thickness format $! desired.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by: fact that, provides for sectioning said extruded material, in formation or format, at a certain length.

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that %#! plans to rotate said sectioned format material on a respective feed plane containing said feed direction (A) by means of orientation (52), preferably 90°, to obtain the sizing of the width of the desired slab or tile.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by: %$! fact that the said phase of drying the said material occurs in several phases subsequent.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by: the fact that this drying phase takes place using hot air in excess, coming from said cooking equipment (7), conveyed by &#! a heat recovery group (R1).

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by: fact that said phase of b. grinding said dosed quantity of raw materials solid can occur dry or wet.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by: &$! fact that the said extruding phase is preceded by the treating phase ! "%! 305.104.BI.24! ! plastic ceramic material by means of a shredding unit (M), for reduce its size.

10. Plant for the production of ceramic slabs and / or tiles, comprising at least one apparatus (2, 2') for grinding $! a certain dosed quantity of solid raw materials, suitable for obtaining a plastic ceramic material, an extruder group (4) having a matrix having a material outlet opening, having a shape different, in size and / or geometry, from the shape of the cross-section of the product to be obtained, a training group (5) to continuously train %#! said extruded ceramic material, through a deformation process plastic through roller lamination (50, 51), a dryer group (6) to extract a certain amount of from the said extruded and formed material water, an apparatus for cooking (7) said extruded material, formed and dried. %$! 11. System according to claim 10, characterised in that said the opening of the said matrix has a surface area substantially equal to greater than the surface of the section of the ceramic product, tile or sheet, to be produced, to extrude said plastic ceramic material.

12. System according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterised by &#! fact that said forming group (5) comprises rolling rollers (50) arranged in a manner substantially perpendicular to a direction of feed (A) of the material and / or inclined rolling rollers (51), arranged with an inclination other than perpendicularity to the said same direction (A). &$! 13. System according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterised by ! "&! 305.104.BI.24! ! fact that includes cutting means for sectioning said material extruded.

14. System according to claim 13, characterised in that comprises orientation means (52), to rotate on a respective plane $! of feed containing said direction of advancement (A) said plastic material sectioned by said cutting means, preferably at 90°, and get the sizing of the width of the slab or tile desired.

15. System according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterised by %#! fact that the said grinding equipment (2, 2') is of the dry type or wet.

16. System one of claims 10 to 15, characterised in that includes a heat recovery unit (R1) to recover hot air in excess from the said cooking equipment (7) and to introduce it into %$! called dryer group (6). The Mandatory !!! ! ! ! Eng. Cristina Schiavone ! ""!