Development of a Simulator for Random and Non-Random Breakage of Particles and Liberation of Grains Based on Voronoi Tessellation

Abstract

In mineral processing, liberation of valuable mineral from gangue minerals is the most important stage before the concentration process. Comminution, which leads to liberation, includes two types of random and non-random breakages. The contribution of random and non-random breakage is very important in modelling the liberation phenomenon. In this paper, a simulator based on 2D Voronoi tessellation is introduced which can simulate random, preferential and detachment breakages of binary ores (valuable and gangue mineral). This simulator has been validated by image analysis of fragmented artificial ores which were made in different grades and comminuted in different energy levels by a drop weight device. The data obtained from images of comminuted particles were processed using the codes prepared in MATLAB®. Results showed that for the samples used in this study, the proportion of the intergranular breakage changes as the grade of the ore changes, with an agreement between simulations and experiments, independently from the energy level of comminution.

Editorial for Special Issue “Mineral Liberation”

“…In relation to mineral liberation, two aspects must be addressed: (1) the characterization of the raw materials to be processed, and (2) the variation of the liberation characteristics according to the treatment to reduce the particle size. This issue covers both topics: techniques of mineral liberation characterization of ores before treatment [2,3], and the relationships between comminution and mineral liberation, taking into account the energy consumption [4][5][6][7][8].…”

“…The non-random breakage indicates that it is necessary to know the mineralogical and textural characteristics of the materials to predict their liberation [14]. Mirzaei et al [5] developed a 2D a simulator, based on the Voronoi tessellation method, to model the liberation spectrum resulting from random and non-random breakages. The simulations were validated using artificial ore samples crushed using different energy levels.…”