Research on Optimization of Lifter of an SAG Mill Based on DEM Simulation and Orthogonal Tests and Applications

The unreasonable parameters of mill liner lifter bars will not only decrease the operating rate of the mill and increase electricity consumption but also seriously restrict the production capacity of the mill. Therefore, optimizing the parameters of liner lifter bars is helpful to save energy, improve its production capacity, and increase benefits for enterprises. Given the unreasonable parameters of the lifter bars of the semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill in a beneficiation plant in Yunnan (China), the distinct element method (DEM) with orthogonal tests was used to conduct simulation, the simulation results demonstrating that the three parameters all had significant impacts on the performance of the mill. The findings indicate improved energy efficiency and production output when optimized lifter bar parameters are effectively implemented, which can lead to substantial economic advantages for mining operations. Further studies are recommended to explore additional parameter combinations to refine the optimization process for even greater efficiency gains.