Energy Optimization of Wet Grinding Processes with an Agitated Media Mill

摘要

Comminution processes are frequently used to optimize product properties or to improve their application. In wet grinding processes non-soluble solids are stressed in liquids (suspensions) and comminuted. For a comminution range from 500 urn (feed material) to the nanoscale <100 nm, agitated media mills are frequently used. In a mostly cylindrical, stationary grinding tank small grinding beads (grinding media) are contained. These are activated by means of a rotating shaft with agitators, causing the beads to collide or rub against each other (impact or shear flows). The agitators can have different geometries and, for example, they can be shaped like discs or pins. The geometric design influences the percentage of shear or impact processes. The solid particles are stressed between the grinding beads. Depending on the comminution requirements, grinding media in different sizes are used. Their diameter can vary from 6 mm to around 30 μm.