Application of Dynamic Process Simulation for Optimizing Bin Sizes of Crushing Plants

Other conference contribution, 2024

Crushing plant operational performance is dynamic with coupled effects between varying capacity of equipment and time-dependent (continuous or discrete) phenomenon which is balanced by buffers in the form of bin placements together with control systems. The design of crushing plants greatly affects the dynamic operating performance, particularly the size and placement of bins. The bin size is a significant contribution to the investment cost and its size needs to be optimized to meet operational targets. This paper presents an application method of integrating dynamic process simulation for the design of a suitable bin size in a complex circuit configuration. A conceptual case study is used to demonstrate the optimization of bin sizing to maximize equipment utilization and circuit mass flow. The results present design strategies for bin size selection based on the intricate relationship established between equipment selection, circuit configuration, control system and bin size.