Simülasyon Yardımıyla Endüstriyel Eleme İşlemini Etkileyen Parametrelerin İncelenmesi

Abstract

Screening is one of the most widely used unit operations in mineral processing plants. In crushing circuits which is the most frequent area of use of screens, the proper selection and sizing, optimization and their operation as efficient as possible is essential in terms of the performance and profitability of the crushing circuit and the whole plant. There are various approaches and models used for the selection, sizing and proper operating ranges of screens. The screen models that are used in this context are mainly composed of empirical or semi empirical equations. However, the successful use of these models relies on a database of substantial amount of data obtained at various plants and extensive experience. In case of a high margin of error during calculations and assumptions while using these equations, the rise of capacity and/or efficiency issues becomes inevitable. The use of Discrete Element Modelling (DEM) for the modelling and simulation of particulate material in the area of mineral processing started to widespread since 1990s. DEM, which has been successfully used in modelling of many unit operations (grinding, storage, material handling, magnetic separation, etc.), provides significant contributions to the studies for the quantification of the effects of various design and operating conditions and optimization of operations. Nevertheless, in Turkey, only a small number of studies are encountered where this method is utilized. In this thesis, screening operation is modelled using DEM. By this means, the effects of various design and operating variables on the screening efficiency and on the product characteristics were investigated. Additionally, by conducting screening tests with a pilot scale industrial screen, the predicting capability of the simulator was verified by comparing the data obtained from the simulations with the pilot scale tests at the same conditions. The results show that the simulation results present very good agreement with the pilot-scale test results. As a result, an engineering tool is obtained that could be used in studies such as equipment selection, sizing, design and the evaluation and optimization of screen efficiency. Additionally, as this thesis is one of the very few studies on DEM in Turkey, it will be enlightening for the future studies on this subject