Mathematical Modeling of Fluid Energy Milling Based On a Stochastic Approach

Abstract

In this article, the stochastic method is used to simulate the grinding process in a Fluid Energy Mill: the product particle size distribution is the result of repeating elementary breakage events, i.e., whereis the row vector of the feed particle size distribution, is the row vector of the product particle size distribution, is the number of elementary steps, and is a matrix of transition probabilities representing the elementary breakage event. The matrix of transition probabilities can be related to the breakage rate function and the breakage distribution function of the elementary breakage event. A specially designed apparatus, named "Single-event Fluid Mill" is employed to estimate those two breakage functions of the elementary breakage event with adding a breakage rate correction factor. The classification effect is considered by defining a cut size under which the particle will not break any more. Using this strategy, the product particle size distribution can be calculated. The good consistency between the simulation and the experimental results indicates that this model is valid to quantitatively estimate the grinding performance in the Fluid Energy Mill.