Capital Equipment News August 2022

The Trio ® jaw crushers can efficiently crush large rocks at high production rates.

Selecting the right type of crusher ensures the correct particle size is achieved for sellable end product.

Crushers form a vital part of the process flowsheet and are key to unlocking the valuable or sellable end product in the ore

Moisture content is another important factor to consider. Higher moisture content in the ore may cause stickiness, which in turn results in pegging. The more the material sticks on the liners, the less efficient the crushing process becomes.

Moisture content is an important factor to consider. Higher moisture content in the ore may cause stickiness, which in turn results in pegging

Unnecessary fines in the material reduce the productivity of the crusher. More than 15% of fines in the cone crusher feed, for example, can cause ring bounce

closed circuit with the screen, so the crusher product is recycled back to the same screen. This ensures all material is crushed to the required size as demanded by the process. “Feed conditions are also important in achieving high crushing efficiency. Cone crushers require choke feed conditions and a controlled, regulated feed rate, mostly through a surge bin or pan feeder. It is critical that a cone-type crusher be choke fed to produce the best product shape and quality,” explains Hendricks. Because the cone is part of the second ary and tertiary stations, he adds, particle shape assisted by a choke-fed chamber is important because finished products are cre ated in these stages. For a jaw crusher, the requirement for choke feeding is not equally as important as in a cone crusher because material is generally not stockpiled after the

Wear part selection is also a critical factor in crusher efficiency. Liners should be selected based on either impact or abrasion

QUICK TAKE

“It is very important to operate within the operational parameters of the crusher – don’t overfeed it, maintain the correct feed size and remove fines where necessary. Pushing the limits can cause premature wear and tear on the crusher. This can lead to unplanned breakdowns and downtime. It is also important to stick to the reduction ratio – 4:1 for a jaw crusher and 3:1 for a cone crusher.”

Theo Hendricks, product manager – comminution at Weir Minerals Africa

TALKING POINTS

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS AUGUST 2022 17