Abstract

Ocean consists of rich mineral resources of polymetallic nodules which lies in deep sea bed at a depth of 5000-6000 m water depth. The polymetallic ores are in the size ranges from 3-7 cm in Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) with various distribution in shape and size, size reduction is mandatory for slurry transport for flexible riser system. Crushers are typically the first stage of comminution processing for run of mine ore in mineral processing. Many different types of crushers have been developed over the years for a varied range of applications, material types, and required products. An impact type crusher design has been chosen, to investigate the breakage characteristics of the materials. In this paper the impact crusher is investigated by using Discrete Element Method (DEM) by varying the speed of rotor and distance between the fixed tines which controls the particle size distribution. An approach is made for irregular polymetallic nodules in approximation considering the polyhedron shape.DEM with Computational Fluid dynamics (CFD) approach can be alternatively used as a design tool to help us to enhance our vision regarding the crusher performance. In addition, alters in design geometry of crusher effects improves the crusher performance. DEM along with CFD models provide the computational means to simulate breakage of particles as it passes through the crusher close to real conditions. Simulations were carried out by using breakage models in which it is applied to study broad range of crusher for better understanding and optimization purposes. In this paper, Ab-T10 model breakage method by using Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC), (Napier-Munn, 1996) and (Whiten, 1974, 1976) is used for particle breakage and Gaudin-Schumann distribution model (GSD) is used for fragment distribution. From numerical simulations, the results for estimation of power, particle size distribution and stress applied to the rotor as they flow through the crusher are illustrated.

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