An analysis of wet grinding operation using a linearized population balance model for a pilot scale grate-discharge ball mill

Batch and continuous wet grinding experiments were carried out in a 40 × 40 cm grate-discharge ball bill. Well-distributed ?4 and ?20 mesh feeds of two complex pyritic ores were used. The vol. % solids in the pulp ranged from 30 to 40, the particle load from 5 to 8 kg, and the solids feed rate from 70 to 110 kg/h.Analysis of the experimental data showed that over the range of operating conditions investigated, a linearized model could be used to predict the size distributions of both the mill product as well as the mill hold-up of the solids, very accurately. The breakage rate parameters, S_i, were found to be dependent on the mode of operation, independent of the percent solids in the pulp, and approximately inversely proportional to the mill hold-up weight of the solids. In the case of the continuous mode of operation, with decrease in particle size the rate parameter values became increasingly smaller by comparison with the corresponding expected batch operation values.