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Generalized Locking Profile for Angular Particles ‐ Locked Particle Theory
Author(s) -
Meloy Thomas P.,
Clark Nigel N.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
particle and particle systems characterization
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.877
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1521-4117
pISSN - 0934-0866
DOI - 10.1002/ppsc.19860030204
Subject(s) - rod , comminution , spheres , particle (ecology) , materials science , granular material , fraction (chemistry) , mineralogy , physics , composite material , chemistry , metallurgy , geology , chromatography , medicine , oceanography , alternative medicine , pathology , astronomy
Locked particles are defined as those comminuted or particles which contain both gangue and target material. By considering the shape of the comminuted particles and assuming their random distribution in the ore body prior to comminution, it is possible to derive locking profiles which give the frequency of occurrence of particles which have a given fraction of their volume occupied by target material. For most particle shapes (spheres, angular particles, angular plates and rods) the locking profile is a deep U‐shaped curve. This suggests that few particles by number contain about 50% target material while a far greater number contain either very little or very much target material. Such a conclusion is important in planning separation processes for locked particles in the mineral industry.