Chalmers Rock Processing Research
The research on machine elements is conducted by the group Chalmers
Rock Processing Research (CRPR) and is focused on machines and systems
for the production of crushed rock materials. Applications can be found
within the mining and mineral industry and the aggregate production.
CRPR is internationally acknowledged within modelling of performance and wear in cone crushers, modelling of screens and optimization of crushing plants facilities.
One of the government's environmental objectives is to reduce the use
of natural gravel in Sweden, because natural gravel is a scarce
resource which is not renewable. Concrete production must therefore stop
using natural gravel and instead use ballast of crushed rock. CRPR is
active in this field and will provide industrially and scientifically sound process solutions which will accelerate the achievement of the objectives.
Modeling and simulation of crushing processes
The research groups include both senior researchers and PhD students.
The research projects comprise:
- Modeling and improvement of crushers and screens
Mapping
the rock material’s fragmentation characteristic is of central
importance for the modeling of crusher machines. Depending on the
machine's “verkningssätt”, different decomposition methods are utilized.
The crushing process’ yield and quality of different products are a
combination of the rock material’s decompositional behavior and the
equipment.
- Dynamic modelling and simulation of crushing processes
- Optimization of equipment design and process performance
A new
method, which includes both technical and financial aspects, has been
developed for optimization of crushing facilities. Simultaneous
optimization of machines’ parameters and wear tolerances is made
possible. The economic model is comprehensive and includes fixed and
variable costs, downtime costs, energy consumption and revenues. The
optimization also takes product quality into account.
- Quality of aggregates and wear of manganese crushing chambers
- LCA and LCCA of crushing and screening processes
Fundamental and
detailed understanding of the functions of crushing machines and screens
is a condition for continuous product development. Customer value is in
focus, which means that the machines’ performance need to be improved
constantly. An important area of concern for crushing machines is the
wear of manganese steel mantles. When the mantles are worn, the crushing
machine’s performance is changed over time. Models and simulation tools
have been developed in order to predict the wear.
- Process monitoring and operator training
International Cooperation
CRPR is one of the six parties which make up the Global Comminution Collaborative (GCC).
Through collaboration with a foreign university, together we have
been able to simulate the effect of a new technology for the
embrittlement of rock and ores using high-intensity microwaves. The
total energy saving is substantial for the global mining industry.
Group members
Seniors:
PhD Students:
Research Engineer
Projects
All ongoing projects can be found at the department project list