Abstract
We have investigated on size reduction process in an autogenous (AG) grinding a solid in a tumbling mill with 12.1 cm in inner diameter and 14.7 cm in length. The model solid samples were two kinds of cubic shaped sugar particles, having 15 mm x 15 mm x 15 mm. The size reduction process of these samples was monitored by using DEM simulation as well as the experiment, both of which were conducted in ambient condition. As a result, the motion of the samples simulated has been shown by surface grinding model, and this grinding behavior explains fairly well the phenomena observed by the experiment. The fine particle production ratio observed by the experiment is in agreement quantitatively with that shown by the DEM simulation. Consequently, we have confirmed that the AG grinding process of the solid samples in the mill can be promoted by surface grinding under the present condition.
