Effect of Grinding Conditions on Clinker Grinding Efficiency: Ball Size, Mill Rotation Speed, and Feed Rate

Abstract

The production of cement, an essential material in civil engineering, requires a substantial energy input, with a significant portion of this energy consumed during the grinding stage. This study addresses the gap in the literature concerning the collective impact of key parameters, including ball size, feed rate, and mill speed, on grinding efficiency. Nine spherical balls, ranging from 15–65 mm, were utilized in six distinct distributions, alongside varying feed rates and mill speeds. ANOVA, Taguchi, and regression analyses were employed to explore their influence on grinding efficiency and cement properties. The findings revealed that ball size variation significantly affects grinding performance, with smaller diameter balls yielding higher efficiency due to increased abrasion and fine formation. Conversely, elevating mill speed generally diminishes grinding efficiency, particularly at speeds approaching 90% of the critical speed, impacting ball shoulder and foot angles. Moreover, increasing the feed rate affects the grinding performance differently based on ball distribution, with finer distributions experiencing adverse effects. Signal-to-noise ratios facilitated determining the optimal control factor levels to minimize energy consumption. Quadratic regression models exhibited strong predictive capabilities for energy consumption in grinding. Ultimately, the optimal grinding performance was achieved with Bond-type ball distribution No. 6, considering ball size, mill speed, and feed-rate interactions, albeit with considerations regarding grinding time and energy efficiency.