Modelling, simulating and benchmarking a new energy efficient and sustainable comminution technology
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Chalmers Tekniska Högskola AB - Chalmers Tekniska Högskola Inst f Industri- & materialvetensk |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 3 000 000 |
| Project duration | May 2024 - June 2027 |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Venture | Samarbete Brasilien |
| Call | International collaboration for innovations with actors in Brazil, in collaboration with EMBRAPII |
Purpose and goal
The project goal is to scale up and industrialize the new ARBS milling process for the mining industry. There are three core objectives: 1. Accurately simulate the single particle fracture mechanism process from a mechanical view at production scale. 2. Predict the progeny size distributions, energy use and production capacity at each milling stage. 3. Enable a comparison of the mineral liberation response and recovery of the ARBS product using conventional and novel dry recovery processes.
Expected effects and result
The project will support the ARBS technology reaching TRL 9-10 by providing the scientific, engineering and simulation tools needed for equipment scale-up and performance predictions on an industrial scale. This benefit of grain boundary fracture provides the potential for enhanced recovery of iron ore and other valuable metals. The model will ultimately be used to similarly predict the performance for copper and gold ore processing and to provide comparisons to existing processing plants.
Planned approach and implementation
The project is broadly divided into three research themes, with each research partner leading a theme: 1. Mechanical and capacity response of the system (Chalmers). 2. Breakage product size and energy (UFRJ (through CETEM-EMBRAPII)). 3. Comparative liberation of mineral in ARBS mill and other size reduction technologies and downstream implications in iron ore concentration (CETEM). The Brazilian mining company Vale is a partner for evaluating the technology for iron ore processing.