Optimization of High-Pressure Grinding Roll (HPGR) Performance in an Industrial-Scale HPGR/Tower Mill Comminution Circuit

The integration of high-pressure grinding roller (HPGR) with pre-concentration techniques and stirred mills is recognized for its energy efficiency. Studies have suggested that the feed with a P80 around 1 mm is acceptable for stirred mills or coarse particle flotation. Nonetheless, published experimental data characterizing the comminution behavior of single-stage HPGR circuits configured with a 1 mm screen aperture remain scarce. Moreover, extant research remains confined to laboratory scale. Consequently, critical performance metrics, including production capacity, screening efficiency, and process continuity, have not been substantively documented in the literature. In this paper, the HPGR performance in an industrial-scale HPGR/tower mill comminution circuit was assessed and optimized by laboratory and industrial tests. The research meticulously analyzed the impact of feed rate on the industrial-scale flip-flow screen and HPGR performance metrics.