Load Behavior Prediction in a Tumbling Mill

Abstract

mportance of the SAG (Semi Autogenous Grinding) mills for the mineral complexes persuades many researchers to study the behavior of these huge equipments. Laboratory mills and the DEM (Discrete element method) software are the prevalent and reliable methods of modeling the mill behaviors. The former is very costly and the latter not only takes the much time but also needs the very advanced computers. In the present work, a method is presented to predict the charge profile and shoulder and toe positions for a case study mill. Experimental relations are manipulated to determine the en masse geometry and the kinetic relations are used to explain the ball movement on the liner in order to determine the shoulder and toe positions. Model results have very good accordance with the experimental results obtained of a laboratory mill. The model is used to predict the load behavior of a SAG mill in the Sarcheshmeh copper complex in Iran. Acceptable results due to low cost and quickness make it as an appropriate method for predicting the charge profile in that tumbling mill.