Abstract
In this paper, chemical engineering aspects of the analysis of comminution process, mainly about energy laws and rate theory analysis, are reviewed. About the former, first the steps of the energy transfer process from the energy input into a mill to individual particles are discussed, and then the energy laws, which include the notion of limit product size, or limit specific surface area, are reviewed and discussed. About the latter, Alyavdin-Chujyo’s equation is investigated as an example of laws of rate theory, and from the conditions of holding this relation the theoretical basis of Rosin-Rammier’s equation is shown. Using these analytical methods, the final part of this paper reviews the recent trend of the research works on the limit size by fine grinding, the existence of which has long been pointed out but with little experimental evidence. Recently it has been confirmed experimentally and systematically, both in in-air and in-liquid grinding, as an equilibrium state between positive and negative, or reverse, grinding.
