Introduction to Size Reduction of Bulk Solids

Size reduction or comminution of bulk solids is a very common and important unit operation found across the process industries. Liberation of a key species (ores), improved chemical activity or bioavailability (catalysts, pharmaceuticals, and energy storage materials), better product handling characteristics (pulverized coal), etc. are just a few of the reasons for using size reduction technology. Despite the availability of other particle production processes, size reduction remains today one of the workhorses for production of bulk solids with tailored particle properties. 

This webinar focuses on the basics of how particles break individually and in size reduction equipment. We examine both how one might select a piece of comminution equipment and some of the more common devices on the market. Since size reduction equipment rarely exists as a standalone entity, the concept of a “grinding circuit” will be explored in detail with particular attention on the optimization of the whole circuit. This builds upon the May 2014 webinar on population balance modeling. Lastly, some of the newer trends in size reduction such as fine media milling are introduced – this is a very exciting new facet of size reduction technology.