Innovative ultra fine grinding by a continuous action industrial scale planetary mill

Posted in: , on 21. Jun. 2006 - 22:51

Cyclotec a multinational engineering team has developed an innovative ultra fine grinding machine - based on a U.S patent from 1886!! (based on a 120 years old U.S patent!!)

This technology says Ezry Akkerman marketing director of Cyclotec is the most cost effective large scale production method for ultra fine and sub micron powders.

This technology he says, will play a key role in the development and production of innovative materials in the 21 th century.

List of recent publications:

www.indmin.com - Industrial minerals magazine feature issue

June 2006 pp.61-62

http://www.ceramicindustry.com/CDA/A...149021,00.html

http://www.min-eng.com/comminution/109.html

Pit & Quarry; 1/1/2005 www.pitandquarry.com

E&MJ March 2005 pp.52 www.e-mj.com (feature)

http://www.wme.com/news.asp?d=/archi...4-13-00-20.htm

http://www.newmaterials.com/news/1909.asp

www.ranews.info/section/Indnews.pdf

http://www.im-mining.com/ --International mining magazine October issue 2005—feature issue comminution pp.5-6

According to Cyclotec, the PCM operates on a principle similar to a ball mill. In addition to rotation around a longitudinal axis, the drum also rotates around an axis of the motion of transport (e.g. planets rotating around the sun). The motion of transport “replaces” gravity acceleration (G) acting upon the balls in the ball mill, with a centripetal acceleration of the motion of transport, acting upon the balls in the PCM––and exceeding gravity acceleration by 10 to 300 Gs.

Problems that have so far hindered emergence of a commercial PCM include:

1] Failure of planetary gear at high load high speed operation,

2] Complexity of design for continuous even feed and discharge

of material;

3] Removal of excessive heat from the drums;

4] Provisions for dust removal.

The technology has potential for processing any material of mineral/ceramic origin, and would be well-suited for mobile applications. The developers claim that it offers extended run times and is designed to significantly reduce energy consumption.

From a scientific perspective, Cyclotec claims an improvement for ground materials properties

by reducing particle size to a molecular level, and by making the substance mechanically active.

Due to the energy intensity (which exceeds 2000 kW/m3 of grinding volume, comparing to 30 kWh/m3 in ball mill) mechanical activation effect causes for significant acceleration of chemical & upgrading processes.

Technology advantages

Planetary Centrifugal mill technology enables to have two additional parameters to control that will enable broader control of the grinding process:

a] Centrifugal speed (no critical speed limitation!)

b] Ratio of angular speeds

1] Extremely Compact footprint (1.5 t/h capacity achieved in four

drums five liter volume each!)

Low weight (1.5 t/h model weights 1.2 tons)

2] Significant energy saving: at least twice less power draw in

size range smaller then 400 mesh

(Minus 20 micron class, silica sand milling, feed F80 500 micron, LESS THEN 50 kW/ton)

3] Unmatched reduction ratio- (feed 5mm, product 20 micron

class)

4] Extended run time. (high speed, high efficiency planetary gear

with planned life span)

Low wear rate since there is no impact- milling achieved by

attrition.

5] Ability to operate under superior centrifugal loads - no critical

speed limitation.

6] Simplicity of continuous even feed and discharge of the raw &

grinded materials.

7] Simplicity of removal of the excessive heat and dust.

8] No vibration – no need for foundation.

9] Simplicity of the design – we practically have four ball mills

united together- meaning simple production adaptation.

10] Maintenance – easy & simple – complete disassembly &

ssembly takes six hours by one person.(liners change would

require four hours, if there is spare set of drums 2 hours).

11] Grinding Media charge ---- effortless and non stop grinding

process.

12] Autogenious Grinding – great potential for the realization of

the technology of AG with various

materials --- extremely low power draw comparing to existing

grinding processes/technologies,

eliminating contamination. Feed size capability in AG mode up

to 70 millimeters!!

Drastic improvement in critical class limitation.

13] Versatility- our PCM mill could be operated either in dry or wet

grinding process.

14] Intense Mechanical activation (milled granite could be a

partial cement substitute, milled slag could replace cement

on a pound to pound basis, self ignition of stored milled

coal)

15] Practically Immediate stabilization of the grinding process

(about one minute!)

16] The design could be applied either in continuous or batch

mode(for sub micron/nano applications)



17] Potential for large scale production of sub micron product

18] Grinding process— We already provide milling services to local

companies- demonstration possible anytime.

19] Upscale capability 50 t/h- ultra fine mode,100 t/h in AG mode.

We have experience milling quartz, silica sand, granite pebble, coal, metallurgical slag, ash, glass, zirconium oxide, silica carbide & etc)

Our milled material is less than five microns and 30% of this material is less then one micron in size.

Surface area by BET 5.1m2/gr! (continuous action-- filter product after classification )

Feed fraction 5mm (top size)!! (in ultra fine grinding mode with grinding media)

(F80 2000 microns) -- Which means unmatched reduction ratio.

Energy consumption for silica sand for d97 is:

5 microns max. 163 kWh/t (filter product after classification)

10 microns max. 103 kWh/t

20 microns max. 71 kWh/t

30 microns max. 58 kWh/t

40 microns max. 43 kWh/t

50 microns max. 40 kWh/t

60 microns max. 35 kWh/t

70 microns max. 28 kWh/t

Ezry Akkerman

Marketing Director

Cyclotec Oy

cyclotec@gmail.com

www.cyclotec.net

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