A novel and direct approach for modeling and simulation of impact grinding

Abstract

A new era of particle breakage simulation has started recently with the advancement in discrete element method (DEM). Prediction of the breakage distribution as a function of specific comminution energy and material characteristics is of great significance for DEM simulations. King (2001) proposed a single parameter breakage model, consisting the parameter t(10) along with a tuning constant alpha. In the present study, single particle breakage data obtained from a series of drop-weight tests were fitted into the model to find out the corresponding values of the parameter and tuning constant. The dependencies of these values are studied and mathematically modeled against the specific comminution energies and material characteristics. Methods are suggested to predict the parameter t(10) with the help of JK model (Napier-Munn et al., 1996). Further, based on the proposed mathematical models, DEM simulations have been performed and validated experimentally. The central idea is to draw a direct approach that can simulate the particle breakage due to impact in a complex grinding environment. Relatively easier ways are discussed to predict t(10) and alpha of the single parameter breakage model which makes it a proper candidate for the modeling and simulation purpose. Also, it is reconstituted that alpha is a material characteristic, reasserting King's model as a single parameter model. (C) 2015 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.