Industry Scale Optimization: Hammer Crusher and DEM Simulations

Abstract

The paper shows the preparation of the numerical models necessary for the simulation mapping of industrial-scale crushers of problematic material, such as copper ore with complex lithology. The crushers investigated in this work are located in the KGHM Polska Miedz S.A. copper ore processing plant. The complex ore consisting of sandstone, dolomite and shale is modeled using the Discrete Element Method (DEM) with Particle Replacement Model (PRM) that was chosen to simulate the crushing process. The article discusses the tests and calibration of material parameters and proceeds to test a breakage model in a laboratory-scale jaw crusher. The results are finally validated with the data from actual industrial-scale crushers and compared with the simulations. As an optimization option, the new shape of hammers is proposed and tested in a numerical environment. The performance of the newly designed hammers was examined using numerical methods. The numerical tests showed that the new design performed worse than the current solution. As a result, time and money were saved by avoiding industrial tests. In conclusion, the work shows how complex processes can be characterized in the numerical environment and used for further analysis.