DEM Modelling and Simulation of Cone Crushers and High Pressure Grinding Rolls
Doctoral thesis, 2017

The comminution of rock and ore materials consumes ~1.5-1.8 % of the total energy production in mining intensive countries (Tromans, 2008). Several research findings show that there are ways of utilizing compressive breakage modes that are more energy efficient compared to conventional grinding circuits based on large inefficient tumbling mills. Circuits using Cone Crushers and High Pressure Grinding Rolls (HPGR) have proven to be more energy efficient. These comminution devices have during the last two decades been implemented for hard rock materials. These machines are hence suitable subjects for further performance improvement and optimization. In this thesis a simulation platform, based on the Discrete Element Method (DEM), for simulation of compressive breakage machines such as Cone Crushers and HPGRs is presented. The research notion is that in order to further develop compressive breakage machines and operations, fundamental understanding is needed with regard to specific details inside the machines. The rock particles are modelled using the Bonded Particle Model (BPM) and particle shapes are based on 3D scanned rocks. The machine geometry is based on CAD modelling and 3D scanning. The interactions between rock particles and between rock particles and the machine boundaries are modelled using contact models that determine the reaction forces. A novel DEM calibration and validation framework based on design of experiments, surrogate modelling and multi-objective optimization has been developed for calibrating and validating particle flow and breakage. Seven different simulation case studies are included in the thesis work.  The simulation and modelling capabilities have successively progressed for each study conducted. The result and findings are both attributed to machine specific insights and generic modelling findings. The work shows that the most vital machine and process performance responses, such as product size distribution, pressure distributions and power draw can be predicted using the DEM simulation platform.

Discrete Element Method

Modelling

HPGR

Comminution

DEM

Simulation

Crushing

Minerals Processing

Cone Crusher

Virtual Development Laboratory (VDL), Maskinhuset
Opponent: Professor Bern Klein, Mining Engineering, University of British Colombia (UBC), Vancouver, Canada

Author

Johannes Quist

Chalmers, Product and Production Development, Product Development

Cone crusher modelling and simulation using DEM

Minerals Engineering,;Vol. 85(2016)p. 92-105

Journal article

The Effect of Liner Wear on Gyratory Crushing – A DEM Case Study

3rd International Computational Modelling Symposium by MEI,;(2011)

Other conference contribution

Investigation of Roller Pressure and Shear Stress in the HPGR Using DEM

XXVIII International Mineral Processing Congress Proceedings,;(2016)

Paper in proceeding

Simulating Pressure Distribution in High Pressure Grinding Rolls Using the Discrete Element Method

Minerals Engineering International - Comminution Conference 12',;(2012)p. 14-

Other conference contribution

Simulating breakage and hydro-mechanical dynamics in high pressure grinding rolls using the discrete element method

ESCC 2013 (European Symposium on Comminution & Classification),;(2013)p. 209-2012

Other conference contribution

Bonded Particle Model Calibration Using Design of Experiments and Multi-Objective Optimization

MEI 10th International Comminution Symposium (Comminution '16),;(2016)

Other conference contribution

Simulating Capacity and Breakage in Cone Crushers using DEM

7th International Comminution Symposium by MEI,;(2010)

Other conference contribution

Application of discrete element method for simulating feeding conditions and size reduction in cone crushers

XXV International Mineral Processing Congress (IMPC) 2010 Proceedings / Brisbane, QLD, Australia / 6-10 September 2010,;Vol. 5(2010)p. 3337-3347

Paper in proceeding

Quist, J., Evertsson, C. M., Calibration of DEM Contact Models, Submitted to Granular Matters, April 2017

Subject Categories

Mineral and Mine Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Driving Forces

Sustainable development

Areas of Advance

Production

ISBN

978-91-7597-544-3

Doktorsavhandlingar vid Chalmers tekniska högskola. Ny serie: 4225

Publisher

Chalmers

Virtual Development Laboratory (VDL), Maskinhuset

Opponent: Professor Bern Klein, Mining Engineering, University of British Colombia (UBC), Vancouver, Canada

More information

Created

2/14/2017