Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University (Saint Petersburg, Russia)

Kallaev I. T., Postgraduate Student, kallaev1996@mail.ru
Nikolaeva N. V., Associate Professor, Candidate of Engineering Sciences, Associate Professor, Nikolaeva_NV@pers.spmi.ru
Kukhtina A. A., Student, arisha362@mail.ru
Kukhtina P. A., Student, pkuhtina@gmail.com

The ongoing decline in the quality of mineral resources for nonferrous and precious metals necessitates the development of energyefficient comminution technologies. One promising approach to intensifying comminution involves the application of physical and chemical treatments aimed at the targeted modification of the strength properties of mineral raw materials. This study investigates the effect of ultrasonic pretreatment on the grinding efficiency of copper ore. It has been established that ultrasonic treatment in an aqueous medium for 15 minutes at a frequency of 35 kHz leads to a significant modification of ore strength characteristics. In particular, the Bond ball mill work index (BWi) decreased by 10.4 %, from 20.08 to 17.99 kW·h/t, corresponding to a transition of the ore from the «very hard» to the «hard» category. The observed reduction in ore strength is attributed to the destructive effect of ultrasonic vibrations on both mineral aggregates and individual mineral grains, resulting from the initiation and propagation of microcracks and structural defects. This structural weakening enhances grindability and facilitates subsequent size reduction, thereby lowering energy demand. Calculations of the total specific energy consumption of the comminution cycle were performed for untreated ore and ore subjected to ultrasonic pretreatment. The results indicate a 3.7 % reduction in specific energy consumption during grinding, from 25.62 to 24.67 kW·h/t, when ultrasonic pretreatment is applied. The proposed approach to modifying ore strength properties can be integrated into existing ore processing flowsheets without the need for substantial changes to current production infrastructure.

This research was conducted within the framework of the state assignment of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, «Study of Earth’s Thermodynamic Processes Related to Deep Hydrocarbon Formation» (FSRW-2024-0008).

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