Crushing and Grinding Circuits

This course covers the basics of principles of comminution and classification, applications, selection of crushing/grinding equipment, optimization of existing grinding circuits, achievement of high yield / low specific production costs etc. Additionally, the course dives into size and surface characterization, definition / shape / size distribution, different physical properties. The participants can also gain knowledge in the areas of characterization of disperse systems (regular/irregular particles; functions; shape factors; mathematical functions, sphericity),volume and mass specific areas, analytical sieving, size ranging, chemical / mineral analysis, image analysis etc. Concepts related to crushing, grinding, cutting etc. are sufficiently covered in this course.

The following course/module was developed at the TU Bergakademie Freiberg.

Learning outcomes / Competencies:

• Develop Scientific Thinking: Acquire a classification-driven particle characterisation knowledge, enabling mineral/material engineers to define, select, apply and optimise crushing and grinding circuits.
• Definition & Characterisation: Integrate classification-sizing methodologies with measurements & sieving methods, equipping students with the ability to characterise and size particles (feed, fragments etc.).
• Breakage Fundamentals: Gain knowledge, analyze situations as to the reasons for any fragmentation that occurs in a particle due to external force and analyse by bar charts.
• Equipment Comminution Understanding: Comprehend particle physics laws governing selection of crushing equipments (jaw crushers, gyratory crushers etc.) facilitating an in-depth grasp of particle size distribution behaviors crucial for optimization.
• Optimization of Grinding Circuits: Explore integratred parameters by simulation of comminution (particularly grinding and classification processes),providing experimental insights into the implementation of optimization principles.