Developments in centrifugal milling

Abstract

The concept of centrifugal milling has long been known!, and many types of batch machine have been developed. In addition, work has been carried out on a number of continuous machines using the same concept, but as yet there have been no successful full-scale industrial applications. In 1968, work was initiated in the Chamber of Mines of South Africa Research Organisation on the concept, because there seemed to be merit in attempting to reduce the sheer bulk of conventional comminution machines. Calculations indicated that the volume taken up by the machine should be a simple function of the acceleration that was imposed on the grinding charge, and that accelerations of the order of 103 m.s-2 (102 g) should be readily attainable in machinery of moderate size operated at rotation speeds well within the range of conventional rotary-drive and bearing systems. Accordingly, a study of centrifugal mills was initiated, and it is the purpose of this paper to review both the theoretical and experimental results of this study.