Motion Analysis in Tumbling Mills by the Discrete Element Method

Abstract

The media motion in a ball mill is simulated using a numerical algorithm known as the Discrete Element Method. The motion of the charge is modelling by considering the forces acting at each contact point during a collision and following the movement of individual balls as per Newton's law. First, experimental verification of the model is shown. Then a few simulated results are shown for some interesting cases. For the first time it is possible to get information about the distribution of energy in the collision between balls. Also the cataracting and cascading motion of charge in large mills can be simulated accurately with this simulation program. © 1990, Hosokawa Powder Technology Foundation. All rights reserved.