Modeling of baryte batch grinding in a vibratory disc mill

A discrete population balance approach to model batch grinding is presented and used to simulate baryte grinding in a vibratory disc mill. The grinding kinetics used in the simulation are measured independently with the grinding rate depending on the particle size. A bimodal fragment size distribution of a single breakage event according to the Austin approach is used. The resulting model was solved by numerical integration and the results are discussed concerning accuracy and applicability. The experimental data are compared with the calculated results and show good agreement with the simulations. The breakage distribution is calculated for different particle sizes. This approach avoids the fitting of a large number of parameters to few experimental values, making the model more robust and allowing a wider range of applications, e.g. process optimization.

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► Batch grinding in a disc mill could be successfully modeled.
► A minimum of fitted parameters was used making the approach more robust.
► Grinding kinetics were independently measured and used in the simulation.