THE INFLUENCE OF LINER DESIGN ON THE RATE OF PRODUCTION OF FINES IN AROTARY MILL

Autogenous Milling trials were conducted in a 1.8 m diameter batch mil l, to assess the influence of linear design on the rate of production of fine. A reproducible sampling technique was established for assessi ng the mass of fines in the mill at any time during the run. It is bel ieved that a simple and cost-effective technique has been developed fo r testing the metallurgical performance of liners. Changes in the line r design were found to cause variations of up to 40% in the rate of pr oduction of fines and the energy efficiency of a mill. The height and spacing of the lifters are intimately interrelated, and different conf igurations to those reported in the literature were found to be optima l. The power draw is principally a function of the mass of grinding me dia, as opposed to the total mass of the charge. With the correct line r design, it should be possible to minimize the energy consumption whi le maximizing the milling rate. The liner profile can also be designed to optimize the impact point of the charge, which will increase the m aximum impact energy and the work done by the charge.