Prediction of optimum milling condition and power consumption

A simultaneous prediction method for power consumption and particle size during ball milling is developed by using DEM (Discrete Element Method) simulation. The power consumption during planetary ball milling with a parameter of ball diameter was measured with a wattmeter. While, the power consumption is calculated on the basis of the simulation of balls motion in planetary ball milling by DEM. The smaller size ball needs more power consumption in both cases. The calculated power consumption agrees with the measured one. On the other hand, gibbsite powder samples were ground with the planetary ball mill to investigate the grinding rate constant. The grinding rate constant is found to be well correlated with the power consumption. Therefore DEM simulation would make possible to predict particle size and power consumption simultaneously.