Effect of fine particles on the kinetics and energetics of grinding coarse particles

Abstract

To delineate the effect of material environment on grinding parameters and specific energy distribution, mixtures of coarse (10 × 14 mesh) and fine (minus 100 mesh) material at different mass ratios were comminuted in a dry-batch ball mill. Data analysis showed that the breakage distribution function is environment-independent, whereas the breakage rate function of the coarse particles increases as the fraction of coarse material in the feed is decreased. Furthermore, the energy split factors indicate that the specific energy consumed by coarse material increases as the ratio of coarse-to-fine material in the mill feed decreases. If the grinding of coarse-fine particle mixtures is carried out wet, the breakage rate of the coarse particles is markedly enhanced over all feed compositions, probably because the fines are suspended in the liquid and thereby effectively removed from the grinding zone. © 1991.