Optimization in ball milling and prediction of power consumption by ball mill simulation

We have developed a method for simulating media (balls) motion in a ball mill by using a DEM (Discrete Element Method), and confirmed that this enables us to extend different types of mill and large scale ones. The impact energy of balls during milling obtained from the simulation method is well correlated with the grinding rate constant determined experimentally, and this relationship depends on the sample materials. The dependency on the sample can be expressed by the Bond's Work Index, therefore, though the experiment using a small scale mill is necessary, it is possible to predict optimization in grinding by referring the Bond's Work Index. In addition, the power consumption in the milling has been tried to be calculated on the basis of the simulation, and it agrees well with the experimental data.