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In order to explore the crushing mechanism of minerals, this paper attempts to eliminate the throwing effect of media and study the grinding characteristics of minerals only under the action of abrasion force. In this paper, the method of removing the throwing state of media is to adjust the mill to a lower rotational speed, so that the grinding media are all in a cascading state. Three single-component pure minerals, quartz, pyrrhotite, and pyrite, commonly found in complex ores, were selected as research objects to study the grinding behavior characteristics of the three minerals only under the force of abrasion. The effects of mineral species, feed-particle sizes, grinding time, and other factors on the particle-size distribution and product-generation rate of grinding products are studied. The results show that from the particle-size distribution of grinding products, the yield of coarse particles is the highest, while the yield and t10 value of other fine particles are very low. The feed-particle size and the hardness of the mineral sample affect the grinding behavior. The product particle size is mainly 0.71 times the feed-particle size, and the other fine particle sizes generated are less than 0.5 times the feed-particle size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The degree of difficulty in crushing an ore depends on the composition of the ore itself. Due to different types and compositions of ores, the crushing mechanism of ores during the crushing process is also different. In order to quantitatively analyze the impact crushing characteristics of mineral components in ores, this paper takes pure mineral quartz, pyrrhotite, and pyrite as the research objects and uses the universal drop weight impact crushing test equipment and standard test methods developed by the JK Mineral Research Center of the University of Queensland, Australia, to conduct JK drop weight tests on these three pure mineral samples. The results show that the particle size distribution of impact crushing products is wide, covering all particle sizes from "0" to close to the feed particle size, and the yield distribution of each product particle size is relatively uniform. There are critical values and "energy barrier" effects for the impact-specific crushing energy. The impact-specific crushing energy has a significant impact on the particle size composition and crushing effect of the crushing product, and there is an interactive effect between the impact-specific crushing energy and the feed particle size and mineral type. The impact crushing resistance of the sample can be characterized by using Mohs hardness, impact crushing characteristic parameters, impact crushing resistance level, and the yield limit value t10 of the characteristic crushing particle size. The overall characterization results have good consistency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the JK Drop Weight test and principle of selective crushing, a multicomponent complex ore with its component minerals, i.e., pyrrhotite, sphalerite, and quartz, was used to explore the impact crushing characteristics and relationship between the complex ore and its component minerals. Results show that the order of impact crushing resistance is quartz > pyrrhotite > ore > sphalerite. The particle-size-distribution characteristic curve of ore crushing products is always "sandwiched" between the curves of pyrrhotite, sphalerite, and quartz within the same feed-size range. When the particle size is −63 + 53, −45 + 37.5, −31.5 + 26.5, and −22.4 + 19 mm, the component mineral pyrrhotite has a negative effect on the impact crushing of ore, while the component mineral sphalerite has a positive effect. When the particle size is −16 + 13.2 mm, the component mineral pyrrhotite has a positive effect on the crushing effect of the ore, while the component mineral sphalerite has a negative effect. The component mineral quartz always has a negative effect on the impact crushing effect of ore in all the studied particle sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on batch grinding method and normalization idea, a conical ball mill is used and a quantitative separation method of grinding characteristics of multi-component complex ore is proposed. The results show that the feed sizes of polymetallic complex ore have an obvious influence on the particle size distribution of intermediate grinding products in the early stage of grinding. However, the influence of the feed size is relatively insignificant on the particle size distribution of intermediate grinding products in the middle and late grinding stages. The grinding product t10 is negatively correlated with the feed sizes of ore when the grinding force is applied to the ore. At the same time, it has a simple positive linear relationship with the grinding time. The contribution rates of component minerals pyrrhotite, sphalerite and quartz to the grinding characteristics of the ore are 28.64%~37.74%, 39.93%~51.84%, 16.07%~28.39%, respectively. Therefore, the order of contribution of component minerals to the grinding characteristics of ore is sphalerite > pyrrhotite > quartz. The results provide new insights for the subsequent study of grinding characteristics of multi-component complex ores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between the grinding characteristics of polymetallic complex ore and its component minerals, pyrrhotite, sphalerite, and quartz, under the action of abrasion was studied, based on batch grinding experiments and theoretical analysis methods of selective grinding. The results show that when the polymetallic complex ore was subjected to the action of abrasion, the crushing effect of ore was enhanced by the existence of sphalerite, that is, sphalerite plays a positive role in the crushing effect of ore. The crushing effect of ore was reduced by the existence of pyrrhotite and quartz, that is, pyrrhotite and quartz plays a negative role in the crushing effect of ore. In addition, the sphalerite had a more prominent effect on the grinding characteristics of the ore. The grinding speed of ore and its component minerals decreased exponentially with the grinding time, and the instantaneous grinding speed of 0 min was negatively correlated with the feed sizes. The rapidly decreasing trend of the grinding speed reached the threshold when the grinding time reached 4 min. The results can provide some theoretical guidance for the study of grinding characteristics of multi-component complex ores in subsequent grinding process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The particle size composition of grinding products will significantly affect the technical and economic indexes of subsequent separation operations. The polymetallic complex ores from Tongkeng and Gaofeng are selected as the research object in this paper. Through the JK drop-weight test, the batch grinding test, and the population-balance kinetic model of grinding with the Simulink platform, the grinding characteristics of the two types of ores and the particle-size-composition prediction methods of grinding products are studied. The results show that the impact-crushing capacity of Tongkeng ore and Gaofeng ore are "medium" grade and "soft" grade, respectively. The crushing resistance of Tongkeng ore increases with the decrease in particle size, and the crushing effect is more easily affected by particle size than that of Gaofeng ore. For the same ore, the accuracy order of the three methods is: PSO–BP method > JK drop-weight method > BIII method. For the same method, only the BIII method has higher accuracy in predicting Gaofeng ore than Tongkeng ore, and other methods have better accuracy in predicting Tongkeng ore than Gaofeng ore. The prediction accuracy of the BIII method is inferior to that of the JK drop-weight method and the PSO–BP method and is easily affected by the difference in mineral properties. The PSO–BP method has a high prediction accuracy and fast model operation speed, but the accuracy and speed of the iterative results are easily affected by parameters such as algorithm program weight and threshold. The parameter-solving process of each prediction method is based on different simplifications and assumptions. Therefore, appropriate hypothetical theoretical models should be selected according to different ore properties for practical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grinding plays an important role in mining, construction, metallurgy, chemical, coal and other basic industries. In terms of beneficiation, grinding is the most energy consuming operation. So, reasonable grinding conditions according to the properties of ores is the key to obtain good grinding results and reduce energy consumption and resource waste. In this paper, Tongkeng and Gaofeng polymetallic complex ores are taken as research objects, and the effects of grinding law based on single factor condition test and the grinding parameters optimization based on response surface method were studied for two kinds of ores. The results show that grinding time is a significant factor affecting the particle size composition. The suitable grinding concentration of Tongkeng ore and Gaofeng ore is 70% and 75%, respectively. The effect of mill filling ratio on Gaofeng ore is not obvious. The rotational rate has little effect on the grinding technical efficiency. The regression model equations obtained by response surface method are extremely significant, and the relative errors of prediction are all within 1%, indicating high reliability of fitting equations. The order of influencing factors of the two ores is as follows: grinding time > filling ratio > grinding concentration. For Tongkeng ore, the optimized grinding conditions are grinding time 5.4 min, grinding concentration 67% and filling ratio 35%. For Gaofeng ore, the optimized grinding conditions are grinding time 3.8 min, grinding concentration 73% and filling ratio 34%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the depletion of zinc sulfide ores becomes more severe, investigations into the recovery of zinc from zinc oxide ores have aroused more interest. In this regard, acid-based hydrometallurgical treatment strategies have had great effectiveness. However, they are inadequate for low-grade zinc oxide ores. In this study, we examined the alkaline treatment of gossan for the recovery of oxide ores that bear zinc, such as siderite and limonite. Additionally, of particular note, the effects of a leaching agent, its concentration and time, temperature, liquid-to-solid ratio, as well as the agitation rate on the leaching of zinc from gossan were studied to evaluate the effects of these parameters on the kinetics of zinc dissolution. The results showed that the leaching of zinc is controlled by a single rate-controlling step with an activation energy of 4.458 kJ/mol before 120 min and 5.536 kJ/mol after 120 min, with zinc leaching efficiency less than 50% in all leachings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semi-autogenous (SAG) mills are widely used grinding equipment, but some ore with critical particle sizes cannot be effectively processed by SAG mills and turned into pebbles. This research aims to analyze and compare the properties of raw ore and pebbles from a zinc- and tin-bearing ore. The results show that the contents of sphalerite, cassiterite, biotite, antigorite, pyroxferroite, ferroactinolite, and ilvaite in the raw ore are higher than those in the pebbles, and that the pebbles have higher contents of hedenbergite, chlorite, epidote, actinolite, etc. Meanwhile, the abrasion and impact resistance of pebbles is greater than that of the raw ore. In addition, the sphalerite is evenly embedded, and the grinding process is regular. Fine cassiterite associated with harder minerals is difficult to dissociate; it is often found in softer or brittle minerals which may be easily ground into ore mud. The cassiterite in the pebbles is associated with hard and brittle hedenbergite and soft chlorite, making it difficult to recover. This research provides a good foundation for evaluating the recovery value of pebbles and improving the productivity of the SAG process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To attempt a new approach to improve the grinding of cassiterite–polymetallic sulfide ores while simultaneously reducing cassiterite overgrinding and sulfide undergrinding, this article looked into the effects of grinding chemical additives on the distribution of grinding product size. Six chemicals, namely sodium hexametaphosphate, triethanolamine, ferric sulphate, aluminum chloride, polyaluminum chloride and polyacrylamide, were compared in terms of their influence on the grinding product size distribution. The results showed that the six chemicals changed the distribution results with varying orientations and degrees and that the addition of polyacrylamide achieved the most satisfactory effect by decreasing the production of both coarse and fine size fractions and increasing the production of qualified particles. The effect of the molecular weight of polyacrylamide on the grinding was also discussed. The polyacrylamides with molecular weights of about 3 × 106, 5 × 106, 8 × 106 and 12 × 106 could help to produce less of the coarse size fraction and more of the qualified size fraction, but only the polyacrylamides with molecular weights of 3 × 106 and 5 × 106 produced pronounced changes. Moreover, the polyacrylamides could slightly reduce the production of the fine size fraction. Polyacrylamide with a 5 × 106 molecular weight was better than that with a 3 × 106 molecular weight in aiding the grinding of the discussed ore. It was also found that the aid action of the polyacrylamide with a 5 × 106 molecular weight was related to grinding concentration and that a low grinding concentration of less than 70% solid mass was helpful in exerting its aid action. Using polyacrylamide could shorten the grinding time that is needed to achieve the same, or even improved, product size distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To solve the problem involved in the grinding of cassiterite–polymetallic sulfide ore in which fine grinding causes the cassiterite to be overground or coarse grinding leads to inadequate liberation of sulfide minerals, the influences of the ball grinding medium on the size distribution of the grinding product were investigated. Two types of ball filling patterns, namely, single-sized and multi-sized ball grinding media, were adopted in wet batch grinding tests. The results show that increasing the grinding time resulted in a rapid increase in minus 0.038 mm particles and a slight increase in the Sn grade in this fine size fraction. The smaller the ball filling fraction was, the more obviously the ball size affected the size distribution of the grinding product, the variation of which with the ball size became complicated with the increase in the ball filling fraction. Obvious jumping phenomena in the plotting of the percentages of the discussed size fractions against the ball size were observed when the balling filling fraction was larger than 30%; the most obvious jumping phenomena took place at a 35% ball filling fraction. The results of the grinding tests with the multi-sized media show that the size distribution of the grinding product was closely related to that of the mixed ball sizes and their composition percentages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When cassiterite polymetallic sulfide ore is being ground in the ball mill, the contradiction between over grinding of cassiterite and under grinding of sulfide ore is inevitable due to their mechanical property differences. In this paper, a selective grinding characterization method is proposed to optimize the grinding of cassiterite polymetallic sulfide ore based on the respective selective grinding indexes, namely, the changes in the cumulative grade and cumulative quantities of metal. The preferred grinding characteristics were studied by varying three grinding operation factors, the grinding time, grinding concentration, and mill speed, as these all affect the selective grinding behavior of the ball mill. In the proposed method, the breaking process preferentially begins with the Zn minerals in the cassiterite polymetallic sulfide ore; however, Sn minerals are found to break first when the specific energy of the grinding media is large. The differences in the crushing characteristics of Zn and Sn minerals narrow down as the grinding time and concentration increase. When the grinding concentration is lower than 50%, the two types of minerals are broken with little difference. However, when the grinding concentration is higher than 50%, the Zn minerals are broken prior to the Sn minerals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the influence of microwave and conventional heating pretreatments on the grinding of cassiterite associated with pollimetallic ore. The minerals that exhibited a stronger microwave absorption ability crushed first, which is the main difference between the microwave and the traditional heating pretreatments. The distribution of Fe, Pb, Zn, and Sn increased in the fine size range (−0.425 mm). The Fe and Pb grades in the size ranges of −3.2 + 2 mm and −2 + 1 mm after the microwave pretreatment (6 kW, 1 min) were lower than those of the traditional heating (12 kW, 400 °C, 20 min), indicating that the microwave selective heating was beneficial for pyrite and jamesonite. The grade and distribution of Sn decreased significantly in the size ranges of −3.2 + 2 mm and −2 + 1 mm and increased in the size ranges of −0.425 + 0.15 mm and −0.15 + 0.074 mm. Microwave heating treatment promoted the grinding of sulfide ore and reduced the cassiterite overgrinding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gossan ore of sulfide zinc deposit contains abundant zinc, iron, and other metal elements, which is a significant resource with complex components and can be utilized. In this study, a new technology of preparing zinc ferrite from zinc sulfide deposit gossan was proposed. The effects of Al2O3, CaO, and SiO2 in gossan on the formation of zinc ferrite were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and specific surface area and pore size analysis (BET). The results show that the presence of Al2O3 and CaO could hinder the formation of zinc ferrite, while silica had no effect on the formation of zinc ferrite. Under the conditions of the molar ratio of ZnO and Fe2O3 to Al2O3, CaO, and SiO2 of 1:1:1, an activation time of 60 min, and a roasting temperature of 750 °C for 120 min, the products, which had good crystallinity, smooth particle surface, and uniform particle size could be obtained. In addition, compared to the roasted products with Al2O3 and CaO, the specific surface area, pore volume, and pore size of the products with SiO2 were the largest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phase evolution mechanism and purification of titanium oxycarbide (TiCxOy) synthesized via the carbothermal reduction of ilmenite are investigated. The reaction process and products of the performed carbothermal reduction are analyzed by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy-energy disperse spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray photoelectric spectroscopy (XPS) and enthalpy, entropy and heat capacity (HSC) thermodynamic software. According to the shapes of Ti 2p3/2 and Ti 2p1/2 peaks in XPS spectra, together with the XRD analyses, the reduction products of TiO, TiCxOy or TiC can be judged. The phase evolution mechanism involves FeTi2O5, Ti2O3, Fe, TiO, TiCxOy and TiC under enhancing the content of carbon. The phase evolution law can be written as FeTiO3 → FeTi2O5 → Ti2O3 + Fe → TiO + Fe → TiCxOy + Fe. Due to the incomplete reduction state of TiCxOy, the ΔGθ of TiCxOy is detected between TiC and TiO. TiCxOy could be attained under reduction conditions of Ti:C, 1:3–1:4 in argon atmosphere at 1550 °C after 2 h. Grinding, flotation and magnetic separation processes displayed that C, TiCxOy and Fe are not dissociated until the particle size of −38 μm. TiCxOy and Fe can be separated by an iron-bath in a high temperature. 95.56% TiCxOy can be obtained, and resistance of TiCxOy is less than 0.05 Ω. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the differences in beneficiation methods and mineral properties between cassiterite ore and polymetallic sulfide ore, there is an inherent contradiction between cassiterite overgrinding and sulfide ore undergrinding. A method to optimize and characterize the grinding performance is presented in this paper. In this method, the grinding characteristics are defined by the qualified particle size range index under unit energy consumption. By changing the grinding time, grinding concentration, and filling ratio, the optimized grinding conditions were evaluated, and they were predicted and verified by the response surface method. The results corroborate that when the grinding time of cassiterite is 4 min and the grinding time of sulfide ore is 8 min, the grinding qualified size range index under unit energy consumption is the largest. Cassiterite is brittle and easy to grind due to low hardness, while sulfide is difficult to grind due to high hardness. Hence, the time to beneficiate tin ore is when the grinding time is 4 min, and that to beneficiate sulfide ore is when the regrinding time is approximately 4 min. In this way, the contradiction between overgrinding cassiterite and undergrinding sulfide ore can be alleviated on the basis of the most effective utilization of grinding energy. The optimal grinding concentration and filling ratio are 65% and 37%, respectively. The response surface prediction and test results are almost identical, with an error of ±2%. Thus, the effectiveness of grinding characterization method is verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]