Applications of the Linear Mass-Sectional Breakage Population Balance to Various Milling Process Configurations.

Abstract

After an initial grounding discussion, in which the linear mass-sectional population balance is described, and models for reducing the number of its parameters are discussed, this modeling approach is applied to a wide range of processes including batch mills, single-pass continuous mills, mills in series, mills with recycle, milling circuits including classification, and recycled-batch milling. The linearity of the model allows its straightforward inclusion in calculations for all of these processes. The sensitivity of the model to its inputs (order of rate kernel in size, fragment distribution) is explored for batch operations. Then, the effects of key continuous process design variables are explored including the (a) number of mill passes in pendulum milling (mills in series), (b) classifier properties in circuits with classification, and (c) ratio of feed tank-to-mill residence time in recycled-batch operations.