Modeling of an open mill with scalped feed for the maximum production of a desired particle size range

ABSTRACT

Milling circuits play an important role in achieving the desired product; tonnage, size distribution, and properties, since they are directly linked to the comminution energy consumption for the whole process. A grinding model with a mathematical simulation was developed for an open milling circuit with a scalped feed from a hydrocyclone. The circuit was optimized by determining the optimal conditions in terms of energy consumption which would produce a floatable product having a desired size range (i.e., −75 to +9 µm) for a platinum-bearing ore. The simulation results showed an operating region comprising the best combination of the ball filling and mill speed to achieve the highest production of a floatable size class, with the minimum energy consumption.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Attainable region
• floatable size range
• milling parameters
• open circuit
• population balance model
• scalped feed

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the Waterval mine of Anglo American for supporting this project by supplying the ore that was used in this work. The University of South Africa (UNISA) is also acknowledged for supporting this work.