Salt looks simple, but making clean and usable salt is not easy. Before salt reaches our kitchen or factories, it goes through many steps in a salt processing plant. Each step needs a special machine to do the job properly.
In this blog, we will learn about the main machines used in salt processing plants and what each one does. Everything is explained in easy language, so it’s fun and simple to read.
Why Are Machines Important in Salt Processing?
Raw salt comes from the sea, salt lakes, or underground mines. This raw salt is not ready to use. It may contain:
- Dirt
- Sand
- Stones
- Extra minerals
- Moisture
Machines help:
- Clean the salt
- Make it safe to eat
- Improve quality
- Save time and effort
Let’s look at the key machines one by one.
1. Salt Crusher
What Does It Do?
A salt crusher breaks large salt rocks into smaller pieces.
Why Is It Needed?
Raw salt often comes in big lumps. These are too large to wash or dry properly. Crushing makes the salt easier to handle.
Where It Is Used
- At the beginning of the process
- In both sea salt and rock salt plants
2. Salt Washer
What Does It Do?
A salt washer cleans the crushed salt using water.
Why Is It Needed?
This machine removes:
- Mud
- Sand
- Dust
- Surface impurities
Clean salt is safer and looks better.
How It Works
- Salt is mixed with clean water
- Dirt separates and washes away
- Clean salt moves to the next stage
3. Centrifuge Machine
What Does It Do?
This machine removes extra water from washed salt.
Why Is It Needed?
After washing, salt becomes wet. Too much water can:
- Cause salt to clump
- Slow down drying
- Reduce quality
How It Works
It spins very fast, throwing water out while keeping salt inside.
4. Salt Dryer
What Does It Do?
A salt dryer removes remaining moisture from the salt.
Why Is It Important?
Dry salt:
- Flows easily
- Lasts longer
- Does not stick together
Types of Dryers
- Hot air dryers
- Rotary dryers
Drying is one of the most important steps in salt processing.
5. Pulverizer or Grinding Machine
What Does It Do?
This machine grinds salt into smaller particles.
Why Is It Needed?
Different uses need different salt sizes:
- Fine salt for cooking
- Medium salt for food processing
- Coarse salt for industrial use
Grinding helps achieve the right size.
6. Screening Machine (Salt Grader)
What Does It Do?
A screening machine separates salt by size.
Why Is It Needed?
After grinding, salt particles are not all the same size. This machine:
- Sorts fine, medium, and coarse salt
- Helps produce uniform quality
How It Works
Salt passes through mesh screens with different hole sizes.
7. Iodization Machine
What Does It Do?
This machine adds iodine to edible salt.
Why Is It Important?
Iodine:
- Helps prevent health problems
- Supports brain development
- Is essential for human health
Only table salt usually goes through this machine.
8. Mixing Machine
What Does It Do?
It mixes iodine evenly into the salt.
Why Is It Needed?
Even mixing ensures:
- Every grain contains iodine
- The salt is healthy and safe
Poor mixing can lead to uneven iodine levels.
9. Conveyor Belt System
What Does It Do?
Conveyor belts move salt from one machine to another.
Why Is It Useful?
- Saves time
- Reduces manual labor
- Keeps the process smooth and continuous
Without conveyors, workers would need to carry salt manually.
10. Packing Machine
What Does It Do?
This machine packs salt into bags or packets.
Why Is It Important?
Packaging:
- Protects salt from moisture
- Keeps it clean
- Makes it easy to transport and sell
Types of Packing
- Small packets for homes
- Large bags for industries
11. Weighing Machine
What Does It Do?
It measures the correct amount of salt for each pack.
Why Is It Needed?
- Ensures accurate weight
- Builds customer trust
- Meets legal standards
Each packet must have the right quantity.
12. Quality Testing Equipment
What Does It Do?
These tools check salt quality before it leaves the plant.
What Is Checked?
- Purity
- Moisture level
- Color
- Safety
This step ensures the salt is safe to use.
How All Machines Work Together
All these machines work like a team.
- Crusher breaks the salt
- Washer cleans it
- Centrifuge removes water
- Dryer dries the salt
- Grinder reduces size
- Screen sorts particles
- Iodization adds nutrients
- Mixer blends evenly
- Conveyor moves salt
- Packing machine seals it
Each machine plays an important role.
Different Salt, Different Machines
Not all salt is the same.
- Table salt needs washing, drying, iodizing, and fine grinding
- Industrial salt may need less refining
- Animal feed salt follows different rules
Plants choose machines based on the type of salt they produce.
Why Modern Machines Matter
Modern machines help:
- Produce cleaner salt
- Increase speed
- Reduce waste
- Improve safety
- Lower labor effort
They also help plants meet health and quality standards.
Final Thoughts
Salt plants use many machines, each with a special job. From crushing raw salt to packing clean, ready-to-use salt, every machine plays an important role.
Even though salt looks simple, making it clean and safe takes careful work and smart machines. Next time you use salt, remember the long journey it took to reach your table!
