Impact by the operating and structural parameters of a screen on the technological parameters of vibratory basalt sieving

Abstract

Purpose is to identify a dependence of basalt raw material fine screening upon the operating and structural parameters of sieving equipment. Methods. The research results have been obtained relying upon comparative analysis of basalt raw material fine screening upon the operating and structural parameters of sieving equipment. In this regard, the analyzed grading efficiency characteristics were defined for three densities of basalt rock mass mined in open pits. They are γ = 1.4 g/сm3 for tuff; γ = 2.2 g/сm3 for lava-breccia; and γ = 2.6 g/сm3 for basalt. The rock mass components are extracted selectively and processed separately. Findings. Expediency of complex mining and processing of three basalt rock mass components (being tuff, lava-breccia, and basalt) as well as their selective treatment has been identified. Mathematical modelling has helped generate regression models of fine basalt raw material sieving upon the operating and structural parameters of a screen. The regression models as well as the represented calculation results are indicative of strong correlation between the efficiency of fine basalt raw material screening and the factors involved by the regression models (i.e. rock mass density; inclination angle of a disturbance force of a vibration exciter of a screen; inclination angle of a screen effector; mesh size; specific load on a screen; disturbance frequency of a screen drive; and a screen length). Originality. For the first time, dependencies of fine basalt raw material sieving efficiency upon the operating and structural parameters of a screen have been modelled mathematically. Based upon the multifactor experiment, ideas have been developed concerning the fine grading process; selection of boundaries of each parameter control; and determination of the efficiency as well as a law of changes in technological parameters while controlling them. Practical implications. Use of the findings will help make adequate solutions while selecting instrumental conditions of an operation schedule to prepare basalt raw material for its integrated processing.