Particle motion and energy distribution in tumbling ball mills

The charge flow characteristics and the local energy distributions have a p rofound influence on the comminution behavior in tumbling ball mills. Compu ter simulation using a particle dynamics method offers a viable approach fo r investigating the flow and energy distribution characteristics within tum bling particulate media. In particle dynamics method, particulate systems a re simulated by tracking particles as they move in response to the forces d eveloped through particle interactions. Utilizing this method, we focus upo n a numerical investigation of flow and energy parameters of tumbling charg e in ball mills. Specifically, we investigate the variation of these parame ters with the fundamental properties of mill-wall, clinker and ball-media p articles. The properties considered in this work reflect particle and mill- wall elasticity and surface characteristics, such as, stiffness, elastic re stitution and surface friction. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights r eserved.