The effect of grinding aids on dry micro fine grinding of feldspar

The aim of this study was to investigate dry micro-fine grinding of sodium feldspar (albite) with and without grinding aids using a vertical stirred ball mill. The effect of amine based various grinding aids (BMA 1923, BMA 1517, KATPLAST 54 and GRACE XS 304) and dosages (500, 1000 and 2000 g/t) were investigated and test results were evaluated based on the product size (dm)) and specific energy consumption. Tests revealed that the grinding energy required to reach target grinding size (d(80) = 10 micron) was reduced up to 60% using grinding aids. BMA 1923 was determined to be the most effective grinding aid in terms of target d(80) except that lower sizes could be reached with BMA 1517 at the same dosage and similar energy consumptions. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.