From large chunks to fine powders

Comminution and pulverisation are often the first steps in the process industry. In the chemical industry, for example, this might involve pigments or resins; in the food industry, grains or spices; in the building materials industry, limestone; and in the production of lithium for batteries, ores. More or less fine raw materials are required for subsequent process steps. However, the basic operation of grinding can also be important as an intermediate step or at the end of the process. For example, it can be used to disperse a powdery intermediate product in liquids, increase its surface area and reactivity, improve its miscibility, or grind the end product to an especially fine consistency.

The chosen technology depends not only on the desired goal, such as the required fineness, but also on the properties of the product to be crushed. The properties of the product to be crushed also influence the decision. Coarse and medium crushing is often a rough process. Various types of crusher are used for very hard products such as ores, for which jaw or cone crushers are suitable. Impact or roller crushers, as well as mills, are suitable for recycling materials, lime and salts. Hammer crushers are often the preferred choice for medium-hard materials, such as bricks and gypsum.

Hammer and roller mills are commonly used for coarse crushing in the food and feed sectors. Cutting mills are typically used to crush herbs or vegetables in a controlled manner. Impact or pin mills are more commonly used for sugar or flour. Jet mills are often used for particularly sensitive products. In these areas of application, the machines often require CIP/SIP capability. Explosion protection must also be considered where necessary. This is particularly important in the chemical industry, where these mills are also used. In addition to being designed in accordance with ATEX guidelines, high corrosion resistance is often required in this sector.

In some applications, it is advantageous to disperse the ground material while it is being comminuted. This can be achieved with agitator ball mills. These mills disperse pigments, for example, during the production of paints and varnishes. They are also used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries to produce nanoparticles and comminute active ingredients, for example.
The exhibitors at POWTECH TECHNOPHARM offer reliable machines that meet many of these requirements.

Versatile ball mills

For example, ball mills will be on display in Hall 9, Stand 9-461 at Christian Pfeiffer Maschinenfabrik. The BAM ball mill, which is designed for industrial minerals, features low-maintenance spherical roller bearings. All of the internal mill components, including the transfer partition, armouring and ball charge, have been developed in-house by the manufacturer. The mill offers variable bearings and drive options, and provides support in selecting grinding media to optimise production efficiency. A wide variety of sizes are available for throughputs between one and 100 t/h. Other ball mill suppliers include Fritsch (Hall 12.0/12-251), Hosokawa Alpine (Hall 11.0/11-137), and NanoFract (Hall 9/9-111e). NanoFract also offers jet mills. This young company develops these machines to order for a wide range of products, including energy storage materials, powders for additive manufacturing, paints and coatings, plant proteins, and much more.