The scale-up of grate-discharge continuous ball mills

Dimensionless selection functions for the grinding of material in continuous gratedischarge mills can be scaled in terms of normalized quantities of feed rate, geometric mean size of the particles and the mill length-to-diameter ratio. Simulations using the scale-up criteria together with the lumped-parameter grinding model yield results for mills of different lengths and operating at different feed rates that are in excellent agreement with the observed values.     

Scale up of lifters in ball mills

Liner design and lifter geometry in tumbling mills are very important in comminution kinetics and energy consumption. In terms of the parameters of the batch grinding model, the breakage rate function decreases as lifter size increases while the breakage distribution function is independent of the lifter size. However, the specific energy consumption is not a function of lifter size. Reducing the lifter height from 2.54 cm to 0.32 cm increases the production from this mill by 37%. When the mill is operated without any lifters, the charge apparently slips inside the shell resulting in lower breakage kinetics and higher energy consumption.     

Beitrag zur feinstmahlung von industriemineralen

Industrial minerals of a high degree of fineness such as kaolinite, calcite and barite are used to an increasing extent in the chemical industries as filling material in the manu-facturing of paper, paints and plastics or as ingredients of ceramic products. Grains smaller than 5 μm can be produced by dry grinding in a jet mill or by wet grinding in drum mills. To avoid impurities due to wear, these mills are lined with rubber or plastic and ceramic balls are used as grinding bodies.Our investigations in a jet mill show that the fineness of the ground product depends on the feed rate and on the air volume. The grain sizes received in the drum mill are influenced by feed rate, pulp density, speed of rotation and by the grinding bodies (density, size).REM-photographs of mill discharge in the grain-size ranges 10-5 μm and below 5 μm indicate that in both the grains mainly show crystal planes as boundaries. After dry grinding the grains show smooth and clean faces; thus is traced back to the impact effect of the air streams. In wet grinding the fine grains are very prone to form agglomerates.     

Modeling of the classification behavior of the diaphragms used in multi-chamber cement mills

A new approach has been developed for describing the classification that arises at the diaphragm in multi-chamber ball mills. Fourteen industrial scale cement mills have been sampled in this study and after mass balancing, model fits of the equipment were done. Successive mill product predictions for the sampled conditions were achieved, and requirements to build up an optimization capable model are discussed.     

Production of carbonate and silica nano-particles in stirred bead milling

This paper presents the experimental results of the mechanical production of silica and carbonate colloidal particles below 100 nm using two types of stirred bead mills (i.e., DCP Superflow 12 and PML H/V). It is shown that the stirred bead mill with very small beads can be used as an efficient equipment for the production of the colloidal particles in nanoscale from the feed materials of several microns in sizes at high energy consumptions. The DCP Superflow mill with high power densities is superior for the effective size reduction and production rate, compared to the conventional PML H/V mill with lower power densities. The smaller particles could be produced by the DCP Superflow mill at the same level of high energy inputs as from the PML H/V mill. The “grinding limit” for the processes in the mills has been discussed.     

A theoretical analysis and control study of open-circuit grinding

Regrinding is an essential step in many mineral processing flowsheets as a final preparatory step for mineral separation. It is normally carried out in open-circuit ball mills or rod mills. Wide fluctuations occurring in the hardness and size distribution of feed materials to regrinding mills result in a nonuniform product fineness and processing inefficiency. Using a previously developed regrinding model, this paper presents the dynamic analysis and design considerations of a control system for open-circuit grinding, using the traditional P-, PI-, and PID-control algorithms. This study shows the utility of simple analysis techniques in designing a mineral process control system with special attention given to the effect of sampling and analysis time on control system performance.     

Comparative study of microstructural characteristics and stored energy of mechanically activated hematite in different grinding environments

Hematite concentrate was mechanically treated using different milling machines and experimental conditions in air atmosphere. The changes in phase constitution, particles size, specific surface area, lattice parameters and X-ray amorphous phase fraction of activated hematite were determined. It was found that the agglomeration of the particles take place during extended milling with accessible pores for Nitrogen gas. The higher media surface brought about the largest specific surface area whatever milling devices used. After 9 h of grinding with higher media surface, the maximum and minimum specific surface area resulted from the grinding in the tumbling and vibratory mills, accounting for 6.83 m²/g and 18.42 m²/g, respectively. For the same grinding condition, tumbling mill produced the lowest X-ray amorphous phase. The maximum X-ray amorphous material estimated around 85% from the grinding in the planetary mill with higher media surface for 9 h of milling.     

Analysis of the gold recovery profile through a cyanidation plant

Leaching in the grinding circuit is currently practiced in plants that process gold ores with low content of cyanide consuming minerals. The high gold recovery observed in the grinding–classification section of the plant is commonly explained by the inherent high initial dissolution rate of gold observed in gold ore cyanidation, or by the intense agitation prevailing in grinding mills. For understanding this leaching behavior of gold ores, the grinding, classification and leaching sections of a gold processing plant are analyzed through reconciliation of operating data. It is found that gold circulation in the grinding circuit is quite different from the flow behavior of other species due to the strong gold separation effect in the hydrocyclones, which produces quite large residence time for gold-rich particles. The results presented in this study demonstrate that the residence time of these particles in the grinding circuit can be as long as in the leaching tanks and might be the dominant factor in explaining the high dissolution of gold in this section.     

Effect of a material-flow model in prediction of particle-size distributions in open- and closed-circuit mills

A size-continuous breakage-kinetics model is postulated and supported with industrial grinding-mill data. It is shown that the kinetics parameters include the effects of possible classification at the mill discharge. The estimated parameters were then used in the kinetics model to simulate the behavior of a grinding mill in open- and closed-circuit operation. While material transport and kinetics are equally important in open-circuit operation, heavy recycle in a closed circuit makes a detailed material-transport model for grinding unnecessary. In effect, the mill can be considered as backmixed. This suggests that more emphasis should be placed on modelling the classifier than the development of detailed material-transport models for the grinding mill.     

A laboratory study of high chromium alloy wear in phosphate grinding mill

Grinding mills are commonly used in the Florida phosphate industry to reduce particle size. The corrosion of metallic grinding media and mill liner is a very serious problem, particularly under acidic conditions as encountered in the Florida phosphate fertilizer industry. A statistical Box–Behnken Design (BBD) of experiments was performed to evaluate the effects of individual operating variables and their interactions on the wear rate of high chromium alloy during phosphate grinding. The variables examined in this study included grinding time, solution pH, rotation speed, mill crop load, and solids percentage. The wear tests were conducted using a specially designed grinding mill whose electrochemical potential can be controlled. The most significant variables and optimum conditions were identified from statistical analysis of the experimental results using response surface methodology (RSM). It has been shown that solution pH had the most significant effect on the wear rate. The optimum process parameters for minimum wear rate were solution pH at 8.7, rotation speed at 61 rpm, solid percentage at 65% and crop load at 58%.     

Petroleum Migration Direction of the Silurian Paleo-pools in the Tarim Basin, Northwest China

The results obtained in this paper indicate that carbazole-type compounds have high thermal stability and also show stability in oxidation and bio-degradation. This kind of compounds still has a high concentration and complete distribution in the analyzed dry asphalt samples, showing that they are particularly useful in studying petroleum migration of paleo-pool. During the basin＇s first-stage of oil-gas pool formation in the Silurian in Tazhong and Tabei areas of Tarim Basin （at the end of Silurian period） and the second-stage in the Awati area （in Permian）, the petroleum experienced a long-distance migration. During the formation of the Silurian paleo-pools in Tazhong Uplift at the end of Silurian, the petroleum mainly came from the lower and middle Cambrian source rocks in the Manjiaer sag. The petroleum migrated towards the southwest-south entering the Silurian reservoir beds in Tazhong first. Then, it further migrated within Silurian from northwest to southeast along the highs of the Structural Belts to the region of the Silurian pinchout boundary in Tazhong. In Tabei Uplift, during the first-stage of pool formation, the petroleum was also from the lower and middle Cambrian source rocks in the Manjiaer sag. It migrated northwest entering the Silurian reservoir beds in the Tabei Uplift firstly, and then the migration continued in the same direction within the Silurian reservoirs and finally the petroleum was trapped in higher positions. During the second-stage pool formation in the Silurian beds in the areas around Awati sag, the petroleum mainly came from the lower-middle Cambrian source rocks in the Awati sag. The petroleum migrated from the generation center to Silurian reservoirs in all directions around the sag through major paths, and the petroleum was finally trapped in higher locations.     

Extraction procedure testing of solid wastes generated at selected metal ore mines and mills

Solid waste samples from a reconnaissance study conducted at ore mining and milling sites were subjected to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency extraction procedure (EP) leaching test Sites visited included mines and mills extracting ores of antimony (Sb), mercury (Hg), vanadium (V), tungsten (W), and nickel (Ni). Samples analyzed included mine wastes, treatment pond solids, tailings, low grade ore, and other solid wastes generated at these facilities Analysis of the leachate from these tests indicates that none of the samples generated leachate in which the concentration of any toxic metal parameter exceeded EPA criteria levels for those metals. By volume, tailings generally constitute the largest amount of solid wastes generated, but these data indicate that with proper management and monitoring, current EPA criteria can be met for tailings and for most solid wastes associated with mining and milling of these metal ores. Long-term studies are needed to determine if leachate characteristics change with time and to assist in development of closure plans and post closure monitoring programs.     

Labour supply and resource-based manufacturing in isolated communities: The experience of pulp and paper mills in north-central British Columbia

This paper examines determinants of labour sheds for new industrial ventures located in isolated communities and analyses comparatively several geographic and socioeconomic characteristics of workers hired by pulp and paper mills recently established in north-central British Columbia.     

大民屯凹陷古今地温场特征及其成藏意义

利用系统测温资料和试油资料研究了大民屯凹陷现今地温特征,利用磷灰石裂变径迹、流体包裹体均一温度恢复了古地温,利用EasyRo模型反演热史变化,并与东西部凹陷热史进行了对比。研究认为:(1)大民屯凹陷现今地温梯度较低,平均为2.9℃/100m。(2)磷灰石裂变径迹恢复古地温揭示大民屯凹陷古地温梯度较高,其中安福屯洼陷和荣胜堡洼陷分别4.07和3.6℃/100m,皆高于东部凹陷(平均为3.3℃/100m)。从而解释了其较低的生烃门限。(3)流体包裹体均一温度研究结果认为地质历史时期研究区热流体活动较强烈。以高凝油为主的安福屯洼陷油气充注为幕式快速运聚成藏,而以正常稀油为主的荣胜堡洼陷油气运聚为在异常高压下的快速运移和浮力作用下的缓慢运移相结合。(4)大民屯凹陷的热史演化特征明显不同于东部凹陷,与西部凹陷也有差异,整个热史演化程度较低,有利于高凝油油藏的保存。     

Performance of Sample Preparation for Determination of Gold in Samples of Geological Origin

We investigate the performance of sample preparation of gold ores using vibratory (bowl, ring and puck type) mills in common use in mineral analytical laboratories. The main criteria for effective grinding are using reduced grinding charge masses ≤ ca. 50% of nominal bowl capacity and using a grinding aid to prevent caking. We show that gold particles of millimetre scale can be comminuted to ≤ 100 µm by grinding in silica flour, bauxite, synthetic carborundum, or mixtures of silica and these materials using times of up to 5 min and that 95% < 50 µm is achievable with extended grinding. This suggests that modified grinding techniques can be used to make sample masses ≤ 5 g viable for routine determination of gold in geological samples. We also demonstrate homogenisation of a gold‐bearing copper sulfide mineral flotation concentrate alone and in mixtures with silica by extended grinding at reduced charge masses. To support this work, we develop a convenient new benchmark of gold ore sample preparation performance ‘G’, an apparent maximum gold particle size interpolated from replicate analytical variance in order to overcome the limitations of laborious sieve fraction analysis of gold particle size. We show useful agreement between G and sieve fraction analysis of gold particle size in samples and test the viability of G experimentally and by analysis of literature data.     

An Evaluation of the Effects of Primary and Cross‐Contamination during the Preparation of Rock Powders for Chemical Determinations

Quartz crystals from the Batatal site, Minas Gerais, southern Brazil, were used to determine quantitatively primary contamination when submitting the samples to milling processes. Crushing devices used were a primary steel jaw crusher (br1), a secondary tungsten carbide (WC) crusher (br2) and a hydraulic press with stainless steel plates (pr). Fragments with suitable sizes were then ground in different Fritsch planetary mills, equipped with agate, WC and chromium‐steel rings for 7, 4 and 3 min, respectively. Solutions of the powders were analysed initially with the TotalQuant^? method in a quadrupole ICP‐MS instrument, providing semi‐quantitative results for seventy‐five elements. Contamination from crushers and mills was visible in major and minor elements such as Fe, Mn and Ti, and noticeable in trace elements such as Cr, Co, Ni, Cu and also V, Zr, Sc; significant contamination was observed from W, Mo, Co, Ta and Nb (mainly by use of the WC devices). Little or no contamination was observed for Pb, REE, Sr and Rb, elements that are important in routine isotopic determinations. Cross‐contamination was tested by grinding either a granite or a basalt sample, followed by conventional cleaning with mica‐free quartz sand, before the working quartz powder was prepared.     

Effect of chemical additives on the dynamics of grinding media in wet ball mill grinding

Recent papers on the role of grinding aids in wet ball mills indicate that certain polymeric aids favorably act by altering pulp rheology, leading to improved production rates at high pulp densities. Analysis of recent data indicates that there can be an improvement in terms of the production of fine particles per unit time, but on the other hand, the production per unit of expended energy remains the same. Our experiments indicate that there is a critical pulp viscosity above which the grinding media tend to centrifuge because the balls cannot be detached from the mill wall during the time of rotation. Under these conditions the mill power draft decreases and a smaller amount of fines is generated. The polymeric additives are able to reduce the pulp viscosity to a value less than the critical value so that the balls no longer centrifuge and the mill draws full power. From an analysis of the force field acting on a ball inside the mill, this critical viscosity can be estimated and the results are in agreement with experiment.     

胶莱盆地莱阳凹陷莱阳组储层成岩作用及孔隙演化

以野外露头、岩心观察为基础,综合采用普通薄片、铸体薄片、阴极发光薄片、扫描电镜、物性分析、黏土矿物X衍射等多种测试手段对胶莱盆地莱阳组砂岩储层特征、成岩作用及孔隙演化进行了研究。研究结果表明：受物源差异影响,凹陷东部以长石砂岩为主,凹陷西部以岩屑砂岩为主,富含各种塑性岩屑,莱阳组砂岩总体以低成分成熟度、中等结构成熟度为特征。压实作用、压溶作用和胶结作用是造成砂岩储层致密的主要原因。凹陷东部以胶结作用减孔为主,压实程度较弱,碳酸盐胶结物是造成砂岩孔隙度降低的主要胶结物。凹陷西部以压实作用为主,但绿泥石薄膜胶结物的存在有利于保存部分原生孔隙。莱阳组砂岩储层原生孔隙残留较少,多以次生孔隙为主。溶蚀作用,尤其是长石的溶解作用,对改善储层物性有重要作用。次生孔隙发育带主要在K₁llw、K₁ls中,成岩演化达中成岩A期,溶蚀型次生孔隙成为这一阶段主要的孔隙类型,其发育带往往是有利储层发育区。     

东海陆架盆地丽水西凹陷油气地球化学特征及其成因和来源

东海陆架盆地西部丽水西凹陷油气成因和来源争议较大。根据钻井地球化学分析测试结果、地震勘探资料,运用天然气地球化学、油气成藏过程研究思路,重新认识丽水西凹陷L36气田油气成因和来源,提出下一步油气勘探方向。L36气田天然气组分、干燥系数分析表明,天然气为“凝析油-湿气带”演化阶段产物,天然气成熟度R_o不小于1.1%。通过天然气碳同位素组成与中国近海典型油型气碳同位素特征的对比分析,认为L36气田天然气为油型气,估算天然气成熟度R_o在1.12%~1.14%之间,天然气来源于丽水西凹陷下古新统月桂峰组湖相烃源岩。L36气田产出的凝析油C₇轻烃具有甲基环己烷含量占优特征,与湖相烃源岩来源的凝析油C₇轻烃组成特征存在显著差异;中古新统灵峰组浅海相烃源岩具有甾烷C₂₇20R/C₂₉20R小于1、不含C₃₀4-甲基甾烷、伽马蜡烷含量低的特征,指示L36气田凝析油来源于下古新统灵峰组浅海相烃源岩,证实了丽水西凹陷除发育下古新统月桂峰组湖相烃源岩外,还发育有中古新统灵峰组浅海相烃源岩。基于以上对烃源岩的分析,提出了丽水西凹陷下一步的油气勘探目标,即凹中断背斜构造背景上的岩性圈闭、凹中断鼻及其构造背景上的岩性圈闭和仙桥构造带,为寻找丽水西凹陷新的油气储量阵地提供新的认识。     

Distribution function of comminution kinetics — Modelling and experimental study

A mathematical model for distribution function is developed considering the distribution of the number of fractures that can occur in a particle. It is shown as a consequence of the model that selection and distribution functions are intimately related through a single parameter — expected number of fractures per unit original size. This parameter can be comparatively easily obtained from batch experiments and can later be used to simulate industrial-scale grinding mills. Predictions of the model are amply confirmed by preliminary experimental results and other published observations. A correlation is developed to predict the parameter of the model from known equipment and operating variables for the particles used in the present study.