Fundamental discrete element charge motion model validation

With improving and faster computers, research into understanding the complex interactions of mineral processes is now a practical proposition for aiding design and optimization. In comminution research, recent trends have been made to describe internal dynamics of mills and relate them to such things as power draw [1–3]. In this work, a charge motion model is described that takes advantage of the empirical approach of Morrell while being anchored in the fundamentals of discrete element models such as those of Inoue and Mishra/Ramani. In this present work, a fundamental discrete element ball charge motion model is defined with the help of an arbitrary discretization scheme of the charge. The model is then calibrated and validated using two ball mill data sets with simulated power being compared with observed power. Further, this technique permits charge motion to be calculated while determining a frequency distribution of impacts for any given mill be it grate or overflow discharge.