Difference Between Crushing and Grinding Operations

Crushing and grinding are two processes used in manufacturing and natural sciences. These processes are used to produce many different products, such as concrete, sand, and crushed stone. 

Additionally, both processes are used to extract natural resources like gold, copper, and iron. Essentially, crushing and grinding have many uses in daily life.

{tocify} $title={Table of Contents}

Crushing and Grinding

In general, crushing and grinding both crush and grind materials to get liquid from them. However, this is just a start to understanding the differences between these processes. When performed correctly, crushing and grinding produce superior results compared to other forms of processing materials. 

This is because they're able to achieve a high level of efficiency without compromising quality. Essentially, if something works well in these processes, it'll work well in other related processes as well. 

Crushing Operation

1. The solid particles are reduced in size by compression.

2. It is aimed at breaking large pieces of solid material into small lumps.

3. Most crushing equipment is operated in an open circuit.

4. When crushers are operated in closed-circuit, dry screens are used as size separation units.

5. This operation is performed on the dry feed material.

6. In crushing operations, the reduction ratio seldom exceeds 6 to 8.

7. Crushing is usually one one-shift operation as residence time in the crusher is less and throughput is large.

8. Crushers are two types e.g. primary crushers and secondary crushers.

9. Crushers are heavy-duty, low-speed machines.

10. In coarse crushing, the feed size is 1500 - 40 mm and the product size is 50 - 5 mm.

11. Energy consumption per unit mass of product is low due to coarse particle production.

Grinding Operation

1. The solid particles are reduced in size by impact and attention.

2. It is aimed at reducing crushed feed to power.

3. Grinding equipment is always operated in closed-circuit.

4. In grinders operated in closed-circuit, some sort of classifier is used as a size separation unit.

5. This operation can be performed on dry as well as wet feed.

6. In grinding operation, a reduction ratio as high as 100 is possible.

7. Grinding is carried out in all shifts as in grinding machines the residence time is larger and throughput is smaller.

8. Grinders are of two types e.g. fine grinders and ultra-fine grinders.

9. Grinders are relatively light-duty, high-speed machines.

10. In fine grinding, the feed size is 5 - 2 mm, and the product size is 0.1 mm (about 200 mash)

11. Energy consumption per unit mass of product is high due to fine particle production.

Crushing and Grinding for Mineral Processing 

Mineral processing is the process of extracting valuable minerals from the earth. In this process, crushing and grinding are the 2 main tools used. The crushing and grinding processes often occur at the same time to obtain a fine, consistent product. The main objective of mineral processing is to extract important natural resources for our survival, comfort, and convenience.

Crushing is used to break rocks down into smaller pieces. The minerals can then be collected and processed into various products such as gemstones, emmarbles, building materials, and more. 

Take these Notes is, Orginal Sources: Unit Operations-II, KA Gavhane

A crushing plant is a large area with many different machines that break rocks down into smaller pieces using extreme pressure. There are many types of crushing plants, such as sand and rock quarries, aggregate pits, and mine quarries.