Mill Distribution Plate for Coarse Material Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pendulum and roller mills face inefficiencies in coarse material recirculation, leading to increased energy consumption and reduced throughput due to opposing particle streams and inadequate separation methods, which hinder effective grinding and sorting processes.
Innovation Solution
A mill design featuring a distribution plate below the classifier with drop openings that direct coarse material directly into the milling space, separating it from the upward air and grinding stock stream, and utilizing drop devices that extend to the grinding rollers to ensure precise delivery of coarse material for grinding, thereby avoiding turbulence and enhancing throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If coarse material is returned via external transport (worm conveyor), then material circulation is achieved, but energy consumption increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the coarse material return path from the external transport system and relocates it inside the mill housing. The distribution plate with drop openings separates the coarse material return function from the external worm conveyor system, allowing gravity-driven return within the housing and eliminating the need for energy-intensive external transport mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution plate acts as an intermediary component inside the mill housing that receives coarse material from the classifier and directs it through drop openings to the grinding area. This intermediary structure enables internal gravity-driven circulation, replacing the need for external mechanical conveyors and reducing overall system energy consumption.
2Productivity
If opposing streams are created for particle circulation, then particle circulation is achieved, but particles not yet sorted are carried along and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution plate segments the particle flow paths by providing multiple drop openings at different locations. This segmentation allows coarse material to be distributed to specific grinding zones without creating opposing streams, as material falls vertically through the openings rather than being carried in horizontal opposing flows.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using upward flows to carry coarse material back to the grinding area (which creates opposing streams), the invention inverts the approach by using gravity-driven vertical drop through the distribution plate openings. This inversion eliminates the harmful opposing streams while maintaining effective material circulation.
3Productivity
If design space is increased to accommodate return paths, then material circulation is achieved, but mill footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution plate is nested within the existing mill housing structure, utilizing the internal vertical space between the classifier and grinding area. The plate with its drop openings is positioned inside the housing without requiring external extensions, effectively nesting the return path function within the existing design envelope and avoiding increased footprint.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration boosts mill throughput by up to 20%, allowing for more efficient grinding and economic operation by ensuring that coarse material is effectively recycled and ground without interference from upward streams, leading to improved material processing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one drop device is provided which connects the classifying space B3 to the milling space B1
Data Source
AI summary
A mill, in particular a pendulum mill or roller mill, having a classifier, wherein the mill has a mill housing with an interior in which there is situated a milling space B1 in which a milling device having at least one milling tool is arranged. The classifier is arranged above the milling device in a classifying space B3. At least one drop device is provided which connects the classifying space B3 to the milling space B1. Arranged below the classifier is at least one distribution plate which has at least one drop opening on which the at least one drop device is arranged.