Process robustness criteria for industrial vibratory screens

Other conference contribution, 2023

Vibratory screening performance is critical and commonly overlooked in comminution circuits. The performance objective can be simplified to pushing a high mass rate while maintaining classification efficiency.

In this paper, we utilize non-convex polyhedral discrete element simulations with a GPU solver to investigate the robustness of vibratory screening. A robustness KPI is introduced which reflects how well the vibratory screen is meeting the process requirements in terms of screening efficiency along the screen deck.

Simulations and typical process data demonstrate the implications of for instance surge flow mass rates or pegging on the critical classification position along the screen deck. If the critical position falls outside the deck endpoint, the operation will enter a new regime with a step change in reduced classification performance.  The critical position is used to formulate a robustness criterion to ensure the optimal trade-off between throughput and classification efficiency given an expected process flow variance.

The criteria can be used for the design of screening equipment and for the selection of appropriate screen models and sizes for specific operational demands. It can also provide guidance when de-pegging of the screen decks is required in order to maintain screening efficiency.