Journal of the Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers ISSN:2288-0291(Print) 2288-2790(Online) 한국자원공학회지

The dry grinding characteristics of silica to obtain fines below 10 mm was studied in a laboratory stirred ball mill under various operating conditions. The effect of operating variables such as stirring speed, grinding time, media size, media filling, feed size, grinding method and grinding devices were investigated. The relationship between the energy consumption and the size reduction and distribution was also investigated. The results of experimentation are summarized below : 1) It was found that the stirring speed of 500~700 rpm and the grinding time of 15~30 minutes are effective to get fines below 10 mm. Additionally, the grinding media charge of 50% by volume of grinding chamber using chrome alloy balls of diameter 3 mm are appropriate. 2) Product particle distribution obtained by the stirred ball mill grinding is narrower than these obtained by ball mill and planetary mill. 3) Wet grinding rather than dry grinding with the stirred ball mill requires lower energy input and produces smaller particle size.