A model for simulation and control of open-circuit rod milling operation

Based on the analysis of large amount of data on several laboratory scale and industrial scale rod mills operating in the open-circuit mode, an empirical model has been recently proposed by Gupta to describe the relationship between the feed and product size distributions and feed rate to the mill. This model is based on the well known phenomenon ‘Zero Order Production of Fines’. In this paper, Gupta model has been demonstrated to be applicable over a reasonably wide range of feed rates for: Calcite ground in a laboratory scale mill; and for one Copper ore and a Lead-Zinc ore ground in large industrial mills in Canada and Australia. This model can be used to control the product size distribution by manipulating the feed rate to the mill.