Effect of lifter design upon mill power consumption

Abstract

Power mill draw was measured in a 290 x 110 mm laboratory batch mill, loaded with balls, cylinders or metal grains. Angle between front face of the lifter and its base-surface are the key parameter to control power consumption. A 45° lifter front angle and about 85 % rotational speed lead to the maximum power draw. As the mill is provided with higher lifter front angles, a decrease in power occurs, and the maximum with respect to the mill velocity is shifted to lower values. For lifter front angle lower than 45°, power consumption at low mill rotational speed is reduced, and the maximum is often moved beyond the critical speed value, which indicates slip of the load. Lifter height has a variable effect upon power draw, depending on the front angle and its relative size compared to the grinding bodies. Generally, an increase in height reduces the maximum power draw, and it is obtained at a lower rotational speed. Low-angle lifters are less sensible to the height. Number of lifter did not show any effect on power draw.