scholarly journals A Review of the Milestones Reached by the Attainable Region Optimisation Technique in Particle Size Reduction

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1280
Author(s):  
Ngonidzashe Chimwani

The attainable region (AR) is an optimization method adopted for use in comminution to achieve different objective functions, which all converge to optimising the production of the desired particle size distributions for downstream processes. The technique has so far mostly been used to optimise the breakage of particles in tumbling mills. It achieved the desired purpose by unveiling all possible outcomes derived from a combination of operational parameters that are bound by trajectories showing the limitations of a system. The technique has given the scientific community lenses to see the behaviour of different parameters in ball mills otherwise known as the black boxes due to their concealing nature. Since its inception, the AR technique has been applied to data obtained from the laboratory tests and simulated industrial mills and the results sometimes contradict or confirm the conventional milling practices in the industry. This makes the already conservative mining industry sceptical about its adoption. This review thus assesses the milestone covered as far as the AR development in comminution is concerned. It also helps to clarify the sources of the discrepancies between the AR results and the conventional knowledge concerning the optimisation of ball mill operational parameters.

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Kamilo Pantoja-Barrios ◽  
Eliana Katherine Molina-Ramírez ◽  
Silvia Natalia Fuentes-Torres ◽  
Fabian Andrés Ramírez ◽  
Jaime Mojica ◽  
...  

In the gold beneficiation processes, the degree of particle size reduction is strongly influenced by the size and shape of the mineral species associated with the economically important metals. The capacity, energy consumption, and costs of the gold-bearing ore processing depend mainly on the operational parameters of the equipment of comminution and gravimetric concentration; therefore, it is essential to characterize the liberation degree of the minerals of interest as function of particle size. The small-scale mining beneficiation plants usually do not consider the liberation of sulfide particles as a requirement to define the grinding size reduction ratio, this is determined empirically, evaluating in which size a higherpercentage of gold recovery is obtained. The methodology proposed in this paper constitutes a low cost analytical technique, using the free software IMAGE-J, to determine the appropriate liberation size for sulfide particles and associated gold particles,as well as the size distribution of gold ore particles. Additionally, the Molycop-Tools software was used to simulate the best grinding strategy based on the liberation results obtained.Through the methodology of automatic image analysis to determine the liberation degree of sulfides, the mineralogical characterization, and the recommendation of a metallurgical processing strategy for the gold-bearing ore based on steady-state simulations, it was possible to establish the appropriate parameters of ball mill grinding and gravimetric concentration of the Gualconda mine in the Department of Nariño, in order to improve the gold recovery and increase the plant capacity.


2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-45
Author(s):  
Tuan Quang Nguyen ◽  
Van Lam Nguyen ◽  
Thai Son Nguyen ◽  
Thi Minh Hue Pham ◽  
◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
E. S. Prasedya ◽  
A. Frediansyah ◽  
N. W. R. Martyasari ◽  
B. K. Ilhami ◽  
A. S. Abidin ◽  
...  

AbstractSample particle size is an important parameter in the solid–liquid extraction system of natural products for obtaining their bioactive compounds. This study evaluates the effect of sample particle size on the phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of brown macroalgae Sargassum cristaefolium. The crude ethanol extract was extracted from dried powders of S.cristeafolium with various particle sizes (> 4000 µm, > 250 µm, > 125 µm, > 45 µm, and < 45 µm). The ethanolic extracts of S.cristaefolium were analysed for Total Phenolic Content (TPC), Total Flavonoid Content (TFC), phenolic compound concentration and antioxidant activities. The extract yield and phytochemical composition were more abundant in smaller particle sizes. Furthermore, the TPC (14.19 ± 2.08 mg GAE/g extract to 43.27 ± 2.56 mg GAE/g extract) and TFC (9.6 ± 1.8 mg QE/g extract to 70.27 ± 3.59 mg QE/g extract) values also significantly increased as particle sizes decreased. In addition, phenolic compounds epicatechin (EC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), epigallocatechin (EGC), and Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) concentration were frequently increased in samples of smaller particle sizes based on two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s multiple comparison analysis. These results correlate with the significantly stronger antioxidant activity in samples with smaller particle sizes. The smallest particle size (< 45 µm) demonstrated the strongest antioxidant activity based on DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl assay and FRAP. In addition, ramp function graph evaluates the desired particle size for maximum phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity is 44 µm. In conclusion, current results show the importance of particle size reduction of macroalgae samples to increase the effectivity of its biological activity.


Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 342
Author(s):  
Holger Lieberwirth ◽  
Lisa Kühnel

Confined bed comminution in high-pressure grinding rollers (HPGRs) and vertical roller mills (VRMs) was previously used preferably for grinding comparably homogeneous materials such as coal or clinker. Meanwhile, it started to complement or even replace tumbling mills in ore beneficiation with ore and gangue particles of rather different breakage behaviors. The selectivity in the comminution of a mixture of particles with different strengths but similar particle size distribution (PSD) of the constituents in a particle bed was investigated earlier. The strength of a material is, however, also a function of particle size. Finer particles tend to be more competent than coarser ones of the same material. In industrial ore processing using confined bed comminution, this effect cannot be neglected but even be exploited to increase efficiency. This paper presents research results on this topic based on experimental investigations with model materials and with natural particles, which were stressed in a piston–die press. It appeared that the comminution result substantially depends on the material characteristics, the composition of the mixture and the PSD of the constituents. Conclusions will be drawn for the future applications of selective comminution in mineral processing.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 971
Author(s):  
Oktawian Bialas ◽  
Mateusz Lis ◽  
Anna Woźniak ◽  
Marcin Adamiak

This paper analyses the possibility of obtaining surface-infused nano gold particles with the polyether ether ketone (PEEK) using picosecond laser treatment. To fuse particles into polymer, the raw surface of PEEK was sputtered with 99.99% Au and micromachined by an A-355 laser device for gold particle size reduction. Biomimetic pattern and parameters optimization were key properties of the design for biomedical application. The structures were investigated by employing surface topography in the presence of micron and sub-micron features. The energy of the laser beam stating the presence of polymer bond thermalisation with remelting due to high temperature was also taken into the account. The process was suited to avoid intensive surface modification that could compromise the mechanical properties of fragile cardiovascular devices. The initial material analysis was conducted by power–depth dependence using confocal microscopy. The evaluation of gold particle size reduction was performed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), secondary electron (SE) and quadrant backscatter electron detector (QBSD) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. The visibility of the constituted coating was checked by a commercial grade X-ray that is commonly used in hospitals. Attempts to reduce deposited gold coating to the size of Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) and to fuse them into the groove using a laser beam have been successfully completed. The relationship between the laser power and the characteristics of the particles remaining in the laser irradiation area has been established. A significant increase in quantity was achieved using laser power with a minimum power of 15 mW. The obtained results allowed for the continuation of the pilot study for augmented research and material properties analysis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1866
Author(s):  
Noor Allesya Alis Ramli ◽  
Faradiella Mohd Kusin ◽  
Verma Loretta M. Molahid

Mining waste may contain potential minerals that can act as essential feedstock for long-term carbon sequestration through a mineral carbonation process. This study attempts to identify the mineralogical and chemical composition of iron ore mining waste alongside the effects of particle size, temperature, and pH on carbonation efficiency. The samples were found to be alkaline in nature (pH of 6.9–7.5) and contained small-sized particles of clay and silt, thus indicating their suitability for mineral carbonation reactions. Samples were composed of important silicate minerals needed for the formation of carbonates such as wollastonite, anorthite, diopside, perovskite, johannsenite, and magnesium aluminum silicate, and the Fe-bearing mineral magnetite. The presence of Fe2O3 (39.6–62.9%) and CaO (7.2–15.2%) indicated the potential of the waste to sequester carbon dioxide because these oxides are important divalent cations for mineral carbonation. The use of small-sized mine-waste particles enables the enhancement of carbonation efficiency, i.e., particles of <38 µm showed a greater extent of Fe and Ca carbonation efficiency (between 1.6–6.7%) compared to particles of <63 µm (0.9–5.7%) and 75 µm (0.7–6.0%). Increasing the reaction temperature from 80 °C to 150–200 °C resulted in a higher Fe and Ca carbonation efficiency of some samples between 0.9–5.8% and 0.8–4.0%, respectively. The effect of increasing the pH from 8–12 was notably observed in Fe carbonation efficiency of between 0.7–5.9% (pH 12) compared to 0.6–3.3% (pH 8). Ca carbonation efficiency was moderately observed (0.7–5.5%) as with the increasing pH between 8–10. Therefore, it has been evidenced that mineralogical and chemical composition were of great importance for the mineral carbonation process, and that the effects of particle size, pH, and temperature of iron mining waste were influential in determining carbonation efficiency. Findings would be beneficial for sustaining the mining industry while taking into account the issue of waste production in tackling the global carbon emission concerns.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2342
Author(s):  
Jin-Bong Sung ◽  
Sung-Yong Hong

A new method to design in-orbit synthetic aperture radar operational parameters has been implemented for the Korean Multi-purpose Satellite 6 mission. The implemented method optimizes the pulse repetition frequency when a satellite altitude changes from its nominal one, so it has the advantage that the synthetic aperture radar performances can satisfy the requirements for the in-orbit operation. Other commanding parameters have been designed to conduct trade-off between those parameters. This paper presents the new optimization method to maintain the synthetic aperture radar performances even in the case of an altitude variation. Design methodologies to determine operational parameters, respectively, at nominal altitude and in orbit are presented. In addition, numerical simulation is presented to validate the proposed optimization and the design methodologies.


Metals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 735
Author(s):  
Nikolay Kolev ◽  
Petar Bodurov ◽  
Vassil Genchev ◽  
Ben Simpson ◽  
Manuel G. Melero ◽  
...  

An evaluation of Relo grinding media (RGM, Reuleaux tetrahedron-shaped bodies) performance versus standard grinding media (balls) was made through a series of grinding tests, including a slight modification of the standard Bond test procedure. Standard Bond tests showed a reduction in the Bond ball mill work index (wi) of the mineral sample used in this study when using Relo grinding media. The modified Bond test procedure is based on using the standard Bond ball work index test but changing the circulating loads (350%, 250%, 150%, 100%). The comparative tests with RGM were carried out at the same number of revolutions as the grinding tests with balls at respective circulating load. The RGM charge yielded a 14% higher net undersize product than balls, which hints at improving energy efficiency and the potential for significant mining industry benefits.


1983 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 241 ◽  
Author(s):  
CW Ford

Stem cell walls of pangola grass (Digitaria decumbens) were ground to two particle sizes (c. 1 and 0.1 mm diameter), and incubated with cellulase (ex. Trichoderma viride) for varying times before and after delignification. Total cell walls finely ground (0.1 mm) with a Spex Shatterbox mill were initially degraded more rapidly (to 24 h) than delignified 1 mm particles. Thereafter the delignified material was solubilized to a greater extent. Subsequent specific determinations of cell wall polysaccharides indicated that delignification increased the rate of hemicellulose degradation to a greater extent than did particle size reduction, whereas the opposite was found for cellulose. The difference between delignified and Spex-ground residues, in terms of the amount of polysaccharide digested, was much greater for cellulose than hemicellulose. It is concluded that structural features play a more important role in limiting cellulase degradation of cellulose than does association with lignin, the reverse being so for hemicellulose.


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