Validation of a closed circuit ball mill model

Minerals processing engineers and grinding experts agree that classification efficiency and circulating load both have a major effect on the efficiency of closed circuit ball mills. However, the effect of each is difficult to quantify in practice as these two parameters are usually interrelated. Experimental work was undertaken by Metso Process Technology and Innovation (PTI) to better understand this relationship. The data obtained was compared to a simplified relationship for closed circuit grinding performance model, developed by Magdalinovic in 1991, to quantify the effect of classification efficiency and circulating load on the capacity of the circuit. The data also allowed an initial assessment of the model's accuracy to be evaluated.