Production of Micron-Sized Particles of Bauxite by Circulating Pulverization Experiment

Abstract

A novel process involving the production of micron-sized particles of bauxite by circulating pulverization experiment is proposed. This method is through high-pressure gas infiltration, uniform and equal stress loading, and overcoming tensile strength between particles, which is different from the traditional ball milling based on overcoming compressive or shear strength. The circulating pulverization experiment is designed so that the coarse particles larger than 147 μm need to be repulverized or added to the new bauxite ores and repulverized under the same experimental conditions. The results of the first group of circulating experiments show that the proportion of particles less than 147 μm increases from 27% to 91%, which reveals that the coarse particles larger than 147 μm can be repowdered. The results of the second group of circulating experiments show that the powdering efficiency of particles larger than 147 μm is almost equivalent to the raw ore, and the proportion of particles less than 147 μm after four circulating pulverization experiments can reach 64.5%. The result is crucial for actual production because coarse particles will fill in the raw ore and be repulverized together, which can ensure continuous production and stable pulverization efficiency. Economic analysis reveals that the power consumption of the circulating pulverization experiment is estimated at 0.028$ per ton.