STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF CERAMIC AND STEEL BALLS MEDIA IN DRY AND WET GRINDING CONDITIONSON THE KINETICS AND PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION CHARACTERISTICS OF GALENA-SPHALERITE COMPLEX SULPHIDE ORE

• Main Author: Pratiwi, Indah
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/70190
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) are produced from the minerals galena (PbS) and sphalerite (ZnS). The results of the concentration process for the two ores are influenced by the characteristics of the grinding product which is influenced by various factors including the type of grinding media and process conditions. This research studied the effect of the grinding process using ceramic ball media and steel ball media which was carried out in dry and wet conditions on the grinding kinetics and grain size distribution characteristics of the galena-sphalerite complex sulphide ore. The process of grinding P100 6# (3.36 mm) ore with various media of ceramic balls and iron balls in dry and wet conditions for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 minutes. The product of each variation of wet sift grinding and -200# (-75?m) ore particles were analyzed using LDPSA to obtain grain size distribution data. Alyavdin's grinding kinetics equation model was used to study the effect of grinding variations on ore grinding kinetics behavior. Grain size distribution and its characteristics consisting of uniformity index, size modulus and fractal dimension of each grinding variation product were studied using the logistic equation model, Rosin-Rammler (RR) and Gates-Gaudin-Schuhmann (GGS). Observations of equivalent particle size (EPS) and specific surface area (SSA) were carried out on the -200# (-75?m) variety of grinding products. Grinding using iron balls in dry conditions is the most effective condition in reducing the size of the galena-sphalerite complex sulfide ore, indicated by high grinding rate, high cumulative weight % pass, low size modulus, high uniformity index, high fines and high SSA values. Iron ball media is more effective in reducing ore size than ceramic ball media both in dry and wet conditions. Grinding using ceramic balls in wet conditions is better than dry conditions, conversely grinding using iron balls in dry conditions is better than wet conditions. The Alyavdin grinding kinetics model can describe the grinding kinetics of the complex sulphide ore of galena sphalerite. The grain size distribution of grinding variations using ceramic balls in wet and dry conditions follows the Rosin-Rammler equation model while grinding using iron balls follows the logistic equation model.