Discrete element modelling of rock communition in a cone crusher using a bonded particle model

Li, Huiqi; McDowell, Glenn R.; Lowndes, Ian

Abstract

It is known that discrete element method modelling (DEM) of rock size reduction can be achieved by two approaches: the population balance model (PBM) and the bonded particle model (BPM). However, only PBM has been successfully used in DEM modelling cone crusher in the literature. The aim of this paper is to explore the feasibility of using the BPM to represent the size reduction of rock experienced within the cone crusher chamber. The feed rock particles were represented by isotropic dense random packing agglomerates. The simulation results were compared with the PBM simulation results, and it was shown that the BPM cone crusher model was able to satisfactorily replicate the performance of a cone crusher as well and it can provide more accurate prediction of the percentage of the fine products. In addition, the novel contribution here is that the rock feed material comprises particles of realistic shapes which break into more realistically shaped fragments compared with the fragments with defined shapes in the PBM model.

Citation

Li, H., McDowell, G. R., & Lowndes, I. (2014). Discrete element modelling of rock communition in a cone crusher using a bonded particle model. Géotechnique Letters, 4(2), https://doi.org/10.1680/geolett.14.00006

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 21, 2014
• Online Publication Date: May 25, 2015
• Publication Date: Apr 29, 2014
• Deposit Date: Jul 25, 2014
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 25, 2014
• Journal: Géotechnique Letters
• Electronic ISSN: 2045-2543
• Publisher: Thomas Telford
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 4
• Issue: 2
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1680/geolett.14.00006
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/726478
• Publisher URL: http://www.icevirtuallibrary.com/content/article/10.1680/geolett.14.00006
• Related Public URLs: http://www.icevirtuallibrary.com/content/journals