Grinding Mill Sizing for Energy-Efficient Mechano-Chemical Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mechano-chemical activation methods in mills are inefficient and energy-intensive, with large mills being unsuitable for mechano-chemical activation due to their primary role in comminution, and smaller mills being economically inefficient below a certain size.

Innovation Solution

A mill with a minimum internal volume of 1 m³, operated at an energy density of at least 200 kW/m³, is used for mechano-chemical activation, optimized to achieve high reactivity per unit of energy expended, suitable for activating clays and other materials like old concrete.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a mill with internal volume of at least 1 m³ is used for mechano-chemical activation, then activation efficiency per unit of energy is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactivation efficiencyVSAvoidmill size
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the key parameter of mill internal volume from conventional small sizes to at least 1 m³, and operates at energy densities of 200-5000 kW/m³. This parameter change enables reaching the third grinding stage where mechano-chemical activation occurs, achieving high reactivity per unit of energy expended while maintaining economically viable mill dimensions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamic control of energy input by operating the mill at variable energy densities between 200-5000 kW/m³, allowing optimization of the grinding process to reach the activation stage. The mill can be adjusted to provide sufficiently high energy input to achieve particle size increase and material changes characteristic of mechano-chemical activation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If high energy input is applied to reach the third stage of grinding for activation, then reactivity of the product is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereactivityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies continuous high energy input throughout the grinding process to maintain the system in the third stage of grinding where activation occurs. By operating continuously at energy densities of 200-5000 kW/m³, the process ensures sustained mechano-chemical activation, achieving high reactivity per unit of energy expended through optimized continuous operation rather than intermittent processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the energy density parameter to specific ranges (200-5000 kW/m³) that enable reaching and maintaining the third grinding stage. This parameter optimization ensures that the energy input is sufficient to achieve particle size increase and material changes while maximizing the reactivity achieved per unit of energy consumed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach achieves high activation efficiency and economic viability by ensuring that the mill size and energy input are sufficient to reach the third stage of grinding, where activation occurs, surpassing the limitations of smaller mills.

Implementation Method 1

the so-called mechano-chemical activation through intensive grinding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechano-chemical activation: Mechanocaloric Effect

Implementation Method 2

a large portion of the milling energy input is converted into heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy conversion to heat: Viscous Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4622748B1Mechano-chemical activation of mineral materials
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 THYSSENKRUPP POLYSIUS GMBH
  • EP4622748B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The present invention relates to the selection of the size of a grinding mill for the economically reasonable mechano-chemical activation in particular of clays, for example in the cement industry.