Investigation of the performance of grooved grinding rods as a lifter in a laboratory rod mill

To date, there has been limited research conducted comparing the effects of various grinding media shapes on milling kinetics, load behavior, and mill power draw. However, no research has been conducted on their effects on a lifter. This study aims to fill the gap in knowledge. An investigation into the effect of grinding media shape on the lateral movement of the charge (grinding media and material), by analyzing specific breakage rate parameters in a laboratory dry rod mill, has shown how grinding media can act as a lifter. Two grinding media (simple and grooved rods) were compared. The specific breakage rate parameters were determined using the Austin model. The values related to the μ parameter, whose increase means a decrease in the specific rate of breakage and an increase in the lifting of the grinding media, were equal to 3758.76 and 4144.63 for simple and grooved rods, respectively. Results proved that although the grooved rods have a lower specific breakage rate than simple rods, they can perform well as a lifter. They had the highest cataracting effect of the charge.