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DEM prediction of particle flows in grinding processes
Author(s) -
Cleary P. W.,
Sinnott M. D.,
Morrison R. D.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
international journal for numerical methods in fluids
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.938
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1097-0363
pISSN - 0271-2091
DOI - 10.1002/fld.1728
Subject(s) - grinding , comminution , mineral processing , breakage , mill , ball mill , process engineering , pulverizer , crusher , particle (ecology) , clinker (cement) , materials science , particle size , mechanical engineering , metallurgy , engineering , cement , geology , composite material , oceanography , portland cement , chemical engineering
Abstract Particle size reduction is a critical unit process in many industries including mineral processing, cement, food processing, pigments and industrial minerals and pharmaceuticals. The aim is to take large feed material and as efficiently as possible reduce the size of the particles to a target size range. Over time, a very large range of equipment has been developed to perform this for many materials and in many different conditions. Discrete element method (DEM) modelling is a computational tool that can allow detailed exploration of the particle flow and breakage processes within comminution equipment and can assist in developing a clearer and more comprehensive understanding of the detailed processes occurring within. In this paper, we examine the particle and energy flows in representative examples of the equipment used in many grinding processes. We study a 36′ semi‐autogenous mill used in primary grinding for mineral processing, a ball mill used for cement clinker grinding, a grinding table also used for cement grinding, a tower mill used for fine grinding both in mineral processing and for industrial minerals and finally for an Isamill, which is used for ultra‐fine grinding in mineral processing. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.