Effect of Operational Parameters on the Particle Size Distribution of Marble Wastes in Stirred Media Mill

Abstract

Stirred mills are very effective grinders in the production of micronized materials. Stirred mills are widely used in mining, construction, chemical, plastic, food, paper, ceramics and chemistry industries because of the need for very fine materials. The paper shows the possibility to produce marble nanoparticles in a stirred media mill by appropriate milling parameters. In this study, marble wastes in the form of large pieces from Marfam Marble’s factory were crushed below -1 mm and then dry grinding of wastes were investigated in a laboratory scale pin-type vertical stirred mill. Working parameters such as stirring speed, feed rate and grinding time were found to have considerable effect on the fineness of the product. Different grinding experiments were carried out for all working parameters. Zircon beads with diameters of 3,36-2,00 mm were used as the grinding media. The effect of stirring speed during grinding was determined at different five speeds of 360, 540, 720, 1080 and 1440 rotation per minute against different times. Under the effect of five different feed rates (%60, %80, %100, %120 and %140), experiments were carried out as a function of time. Size analyses and chemical properties of micronized marble wastes were determined. The result of the experimental studies confirmed that micronized grinding of marble wastes by stirred mill could be efficient.