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Comminution

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Production, Handling and Characterization of Particulate Materials

Part of the book series: Particle Technology Series ((POTS,volume 25))

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Abstract

Size reduction is an integral part of mineral processing which has the largest contribution to the energy consumption of mineral processing plants. This chapter provides an overview of size reduction theories and describes different mechanisms of breakage which are relevant in the mineral processing context, along with ore characterisation tests which measure the response of ore to different mechanisms of breakage. The most common comminution machines found in mineral processing are briefly described with explanations of how such equipment are typically laid out in comminution circuits. Concepts of novel approaches to designing flexible circuits are presented followed by process operation control strategies. Fine grinding, becoming an integral part of many mineral processing circuits, is also covered in this chapter along with appropriate placements for applications of fine grinding machines and important operating parameters. This chapter covers aspects of comminution which are relevant to mineral processing only and does not extends to other areas such as food, chemical, pharmaceutical, etc.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC), The University of Queensland, 40 Isles Road, Brisbane, 4068, QLD, Australia

    Mohsen Yahyaei, Marko Hilden, Fengnian Shi, Lian X. Liu, Grant Ballantyne & Sam Palaniandy

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  1. Mohsen Yahyaei
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  2. Marko Hilden
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  3. Fengnian Shi
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  4. Lian X. Liu
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  5. Grant Ballantyne
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  6. Sam Palaniandy
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Correspondence to Mohsen Yahyaei .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Emeritus Professor, Chemical Engineering Department, Delft University of Technology, Pijnacker, The Netherlands

    Henk G. Merkus

  2. DSM Food Specialties & Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands

    Gabriel M.H. Meesters

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Yahyaei, M., Hilden, M., Shi, F., Liu, L.X., Ballantyne, G., Palaniandy, S. (2016). Comminution. In: Merkus, H., Meesters, G. (eds) Production, Handling and Characterization of Particulate Materials. Particle Technology Series, vol 25. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20949-4_6

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