Minería y Geología (Jul 2020)
Effect of additive oil on energy-technological indicators in closed-grinding circuits for laterite ore on industrial level
Abstract
The decision of adding oil to the feed of lateritic ore mills at Ernesto Che Guevara nickel factory is related to the need of reducing production costs. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of this variable on the energy-technological indicators of milling. Two series of tests were carried out: the first, to obtain the regularities of the influence of the additive oil in the particle size classes of +0.149 mm and -0.074 mm in the product of the milling. The second series evaluated the influence of additive oil on the mill's production and its energy consumption. It could be established that the addition of crude oil brings about an increase of the class + 0.149 mm in the milling product.-0.074 mm class is increased with a turning point in the additive oil consumption of 4%. Percentage increasing of crude oil addition steps up the amount of material adhering to the balls and mill walls. Industrial tests show that the addition of crude oil decreases mill productivity by 12% and increases energy consumption by 6.26 kWh / t.
