EP4331726A2 - Planetary roller mill for processing high moisture feed material - Google Patents
Planetary roller mill for processing high moisture feed material Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP4331726A2 EP4331726A2 EP24151631.9A EP24151631A EP4331726A2 EP 4331726 A2 EP4331726 A2 EP 4331726A2 EP 24151631 A EP24151631 A EP 24151631A EP 4331726 A2 EP4331726 A2 EP 4331726A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- grinding
- rollers
- assembly
- support plate
- area
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
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- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 118
- 238000000227 grinding Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 385
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 24
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 239000010440 gypsum Substances 0.000 description 46
- 229910052602 gypsum Inorganic materials 0.000 description 46
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 31
- 238000001354 calcination Methods 0.000 description 25
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- 235000019738 Limestone Nutrition 0.000 description 12
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- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 10
- 239000003245 coal Substances 0.000 description 9
- 239000005995 Aluminium silicate Substances 0.000 description 8
- 235000012211 aluminium silicate Nutrition 0.000 description 8
- 239000000440 bentonite Substances 0.000 description 8
- 229910000278 bentonite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 8
- SVPXDRXYRYOSEX-UHFFFAOYSA-N bentoquatam Chemical compound O.O=[Si]=O.O=[Al]O[Al]=O SVPXDRXYRYOSEX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 8
- 239000004927 clay Substances 0.000 description 8
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 8
- NLYAJNPCOHFWQQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N kaolin Chemical compound O.O.O=[Al]O[Si](=O)O[Si](=O)O[Al]=O NLYAJNPCOHFWQQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 8
- 239000002006 petroleum coke Substances 0.000 description 8
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- 239000000454 talc Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910052623 talc Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229910000851 Alloy steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 102220369442 c.262G>A Human genes 0.000 description 2
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- 229910001347 Stellite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- AHICWQREWHDHHF-UHFFFAOYSA-N chromium;cobalt;iron;manganese;methane;molybdenum;nickel;silicon;tungsten Chemical compound C.[Si].[Cr].[Mn].[Fe].[Co].[Ni].[Mo].[W] AHICWQREWHDHHF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000010941 cobalt Substances 0.000 description 1
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- GUTLYIVDDKVIGB-UHFFFAOYSA-N cobalt atom Chemical compound [Co] GUTLYIVDDKVIGB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
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Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B02—CRUSHING, PULVERISING, OR DISINTEGRATING; PREPARATORY TREATMENT OF GRAIN FOR MILLING
- B02C—CRUSHING, PULVERISING, OR DISINTEGRATING IN GENERAL; MILLING GRAIN
- B02C15/00—Disintegrating by milling members in the form of rollers or balls co-operating with rings or discs
- B02C15/08—Mills with balls or rollers centrifugally forced against the inner surface of a ring, the balls or rollers of which are driven by a centrally arranged member
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B02—CRUSHING, PULVERISING, OR DISINTEGRATING; PREPARATORY TREATMENT OF GRAIN FOR MILLING
- B02C—CRUSHING, PULVERISING, OR DISINTEGRATING IN GENERAL; MILLING GRAIN
- B02C15/00—Disintegrating by milling members in the form of rollers or balls co-operating with rings or discs
- B02C15/004—Shape or construction of rollers or balls
Definitions
- the present invention is directed to a roller mill for processing high moisture feed material and in particular is directed to a planetary roller mill having air flow through a grinding assembly positioned in the roller mill for grinding, drying and/or calcining the high moisture feed material.
- a pendulum roller mill is one example of a typical grinding mill that can be used to crush and pulverize the solid materials.
- the grinding mills generally include a grinding section disposed inside a housing.
- the grinding mills can be mounted to a foundation.
- the grinding section can include a plurality of crushing members such as pendulum mounted rollers that moveably engage a grinding surface.
- the crushing members are in operable communication with a driver, such as a motor, which imparts a rotary motion on the crushing members.
- pressurizing, gravitational or centrifugal forces drive the crushing members against the grinding surface.
- the crushing members pulverize the solid material against the grinding surface as a result of contact with the grinding surface.
- a prior art pendulum mill 100 has a stationary base assembly 110 that has a grinding mill assembly 180 positioned therein. A bottom portion 181 of the mill is secured to the base assembly by suitable fasteners 181F.
- the base assembly 110 has an upper annular plate 110U and a lower annular plate 110L that are spaced apart from and secured to one another by a plurality of angled vanes 110V. Adjacent vanes 110V define conduits 132 (e.g., nozzles) configured to convey air to the grinding mill assembly 110.
- a wall 105 (e.g., a cylindrical vessel) surrounds the grinding mill assembly 180 and is secured to the base assembly 110.
- the grinding mill assembly 180 includes a support shaft 182 rotationally supported by a bearing housing 184.
- the bearing housing 184 is secured to the bottom portion 181 of the pendulum mill 100 with suitable fasteners 185.
- One end of the shaft 182 is coupled to a drive unit (not shown) for rotating the shaft 182.
- An opposing end of the shaft 182 has a hub 186 mounted thereto.
- a plurality of arms 187 extend from the hub 186.
- Each of the arms 187 pivotally support a journal assembly 188 which has a roller 189 rotatingly coupled to an end thereof.
- the journal assembly 188 includes a journal head 188H having a collar 188C extending therefrom.
- the collar 188C has an inside surface defining a bore extending therethrough.
- the inside surface has a bushing 194A secured thereto.
- the collar 188C pivotally secures that journal assembly 188 to the arm 187 via a shaft 187P that extends from the arm 187.
- the shaft 187P extends into the bore and slidingly engages an inside surface of the bushing 194A.
- the bushing 194A is immersed in a lubricant, such as oil, that is contained in the bore by one or more seals (not shown).
- the journal head 188H has a stepped bore extending therethrough.
- the journal assembly 188 includes a shaft 193 having a longitudinal axis X10. A portion of the shaft 193 extends into the stepped bore and the journal head 188H is secured to the shaft 193 by a suitable fastener such as a pin 197C.
- An annular pocket 188P is formed between the shaft 193 and an inside surface defined by the stepped bore.
- the journal assembly 188 includes an annular upper housing 188U having an interior area. An upper portion of the upper housing 188U extends into the annular pocket 188P. A radially outer surface of the upper housing 188U has a plurality of circumferential extending grooves (e.g., three grooves) formed therein. The radially outer surface of the upper housing 188U and the inside surface defined by the stepped bore of the journal head 188H, are radially spaced apart from one another by a gap G88R of a magnitude sufficient to allow rotation of the upper housing 188U relative to the journal head 188H.
- a gap G88R of a magnitude sufficient to allow rotation of the upper housing 188U relative to the journal head 188H.
- journal head 188H and the upper housing 188U are axially spaced apart from one another by an axial gap G88 of a magnitude sufficient to allow rotation of the upper housing 188U relative to the journal head 188H.
- a labyrinth seal 195 is disposed in each of the grooves to rotationally seal across the gap G88R.
- a first flanged sleeve 194B extends into an inside surface of the upper housing 188U and is secured thereto by a pin 197B.
- the first flanged sleeve 194B has an inside surface that is spaced apart from the shaft 193 by a gap G88B of a magnitude sufficient to allow rotation of the upper housing 188U relative to the shaft 193.
- the upper housing 188U is restrained from axial downward movement by a shaft shoulder 193F that extends radially outward from the shaft 193.
- a thrust bearing 198 is positioned between the shoulder 193F and an interior shoulder of the upper housing 188H to support rotation of the upper housing 188H relative to the shaft 193.
- a lower housing 188L is secured to the upper housing 188U by a plurality of fasteners 196B.
- the lower housing 188L has a second flanged sleeve 194C that extends into an inside surface of the upper housing 188U and is secured thereto by a pin 197A.
- the second flanged sleeve 194C has an inside surface that is spaced apart from the shaft 193 by a gap G88C of a magnitude sufficient to allow rotation of the lower housing 188L relative to the shaft 193.
- the lower housing 188L has a closed bottom end.
- a roller 189 is disposed around the lower housing 188L and is secured thereto by a fastener 196A.
- the roller 189, the lower housing 188L and the upper housing 188U are rotatable as a unit relative to the shaft 193.
- the gaps G88B and G88C are filled with a lubricant (e.g., oil or synthetic oil) between a low fill line LL and an upper fill line LU.
- the labyrinth seals 195 contain the oil in the gaps G88B and G88C and prevent debris from egressing therein.
- the use of the lubricant in the gaps G88B and G88C and between the pin 187P and the sleeve 194A imposes operational temperature limitations on the prior art pendulum mill 100 to protect the oil from degrading.
- the temperature of the journal assembly 188 would have to be limited to about 250 degrees Fahrenheit. If a synthetic oil were to be used, the temperature of the journal assembly 188 would have to be limited to about 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- gypsum e.g., synthetic gypsum natural gypsum or mixtures thereof
- the outlet temperature required is around 325-350 degrees Fahrenheit, while the inlet temperature may be as high as 1000 degrees Fahrenheit.
- the temperature in the area of the journal assembly 188 is typically higher than the outlet temperature by at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, the temperature of the journal assembly 188 would be in excess of 450 degrees Fahrenheit, which is above a maximum operating temperature for any lubricant, including petroleum based oil and synthetic oil.
- the prior art pendulum mills 100 are not configured for grinding, calcining and drying feed materials such as gypsum that have high moisture (e.g., 5 to 10 weight percent (wt%) surface moisture and about 20 wt% chemical bond moisture).
- feed materials such as gypsum that have high moisture (e.g., 5 to 10 weight percent (wt%) surface moisture and about 20 wt% chemical bond moisture).
- the roller 189 rollingly engages a hardened inward facing surface 129 of a ring 122.
- a plow assembly 190 is coupled to the hub 186 by a plow support 191.
- the journal assemblies 188 are quite heavy and thus require the speed at which the shaft 182, the hub 186, the arms 187, the journal assemblies 188 and the rollers 189 rotate, to be maintained below a predetermined magnitude to prevent excessive vibrations and bouncing of the journal assembly 188, which can damage the prior art pendulum mill 100.
- Prior art pendulum mills 100 tend to experience vibrations at high grinding speed that are required for grinding feed materials having a 40 to 80 micron size or less to produce a ground product of 25 to 35 microns. Therefore, the prior art pendulum mills 100 have speed limitations that prevent them from creating sufficient throughput, having ground particle sizes between 25 and 35 microns or finer.
- the shaft 182 rotates the hub 186 and arms 187 so that the journal assemblies 188 swing outwardly in a pendulum manner.
- the rollers 189 are driven outwardly against the hardened surface 129 by centrifugal force.
- Material to be crushed or pulverized by the grinding mill assembly 110 is introduced into an interior area 180A of the pendulum mill 100 via a chute (not shown) from above the grinding mill assembly 180 and fed to the plow assembly 190 which projects the material to be crushed or pulverized back up into the area of the rollers 189 and the ring 122.
- Air is supplied to the pendulum mill 100 through the conduits 132, as indicated by the arrows marked 192. The material is crushed between the rollers 189 and the hardened surface 129 of the ring 122.
- a prior art planetary mill 200 for ultra-fine grinding has a grinding mill assembly 280 positioned therein.
- the term "ultra-fine” refers to a material that is ground to a particle size range of d50 ⁇ 5 micron, where d50 is defined as average particle size by weight.
- An outer wall 205 e.g., a cylindrical vessel
- the grinding mill assembly 280 includes a support shaft 282 rotationally supported by a bearing housing 284. One end of the shaft 282 is coupled to a drive unit (not shown) for rotating the shaft 282.
- An opposing end of the shaft 282 has an upper plate (e.g., circular disc shaped plate) 286U and a lower plate (e.g., circular disc shaped plate) 286L spaced apart from one another and mounted to the shaft 282.
- a plurality of rollers 289 (e.g., six rollers shown in FIG. 9 ) are positioned between the upper plate 286U and the lower plate 286L in a planetary arrangement around the shaft 282.
- Each of the rollers 289 is supported for rotation by a pin 289P that extends through the roller 289 and is secured to the upper plate 286U and the lower plate 286L.
- Each of the rollers 289 rollingly engages a hardened inward facing surface 229 of a ring 222.
- the upper plate 286U and the lower plate 286L are concentric with the ring 222.
- An outermost circumferential surface of each of the upper plate 286U and the lower plate 286L are spaced apart from the hardened inward facing surface 229 of the ring 222 by distances D1 and D2, respectively, thereby forming annular gaps G1 and G2, respectively.
- the inward facing surface 229 of the ring 222 has an inside diameter D5 that defines a cross sectional area A1.
- the annular gap G1 has an area A2 that is up to about 10 percent of the area A1.
- a distribution plate 291 (e.g., circular disc shaped plate) is mounted to the shaft 282 below a lower edge 222E of the ring 222 and is spaced apart from the lower edge 222E by a distance D3, thereby forming a gap G3.
- the distribution plate 291 has an upper surface 291U.
- an annular partition 205F is positioned inside of the outer wall 205 and is spaced apart therefrom by a distance D4, thereby forming an annular gap G4 between the outer wall 205 and the partition 205F.
- a lower edge of the partition 205F is positioned near the upper edge of the ring 222.
- a radially outer surface of the ring 222 is spaced apart from an inside surface of the outer wall 205 by a distance D6, thereby forming an annular gap G6 between the outer wall 205 and the ring 222.
- a classifier assembly 255 is rotatably mounted to an upper end 205U of the outer wall 205 by a shaft 255X.
- the classifier assembly 255 has a plurality of spaced apart vanes 255V mounted between opposing plates that are secured to the shaft 255X.
- An interior area defined by the vanes communicates with a duct 255D that discharges into to an outlet duct 233.
- An air inlet duct 211 is mounted to a lower portion of the outer wall 205 below the grinding mill assembly 280 and the distribution plate 291.
- material to be ground M1 is fed into an interior area defined by the partition 205F and falls onto the upper plate 286U.
- the upper and lower plates 286U and 286L are rotated by the shaft 282.
- the rotation of the upper and lower plates 286U and 286L causes the rollers 289 to move radially outward from the shaft 282 and the pin 289P thereby rotatingly engaging the inward facing surface 229 of the ring 222.
- the material to be ground M1 is distributed radially outward on the upper plate by centrifugal force.
- the material to be ground falls into the gap G1 and is ground into a ground material M2 between the rollers 289 and the inward facing surface 229 of the ring 222.
- the ground material M2 falls onto the upper surface 291U of the distribution plate 291 and is discharged into the gap G6 between the outer wall 205 and the ring 222.
- Air is supplied to the inlet duct 211, as indicated by the arrows F1, which communicates with the gap G6 between the outer wall 205 and the ring 222, essentially bypassing the grinding assembly 280.
- the gaps G1, G2 and G3 are minimized to minimize air flow through the grinding assembly, minimize the flow-through velocity in the grinding assembly and to increase retention time, of the material to be ground M1, in the grinding assembly 280 so that ground material M2 is ground into an ultra-fine state.
- the absence of air flow at high velocities through the grinding assembly 280 limits the use of the prior art planetary mill 200 to grinding materials with less than 5 weight percent moisture because insufficient air flow is available for drying the material to be ground.
- the air entrains the ground material M2 through the gap G6 and further through the gap G4 between the outer wall 205 and the partition 205F.
- the air conveys the ground material M2 into the classifier assembly 255 as indicated by the arrows F3.
- the classifier assembly 255 discharges the ground material M2 in the ultra-fine state via the outlet duct 233 and returns larger, not fully ground, material M3 back into the grinding assembly 280.
- U.S Patent No. 3,027,103 discloses a grinding mill for comminuting solid material and having pressure responsive means for varying the pressure of grinding rollers against the inner face of a grinding ring, such that any movement of the rollers is due to admitting fluid under pressure to a pressure chamber so as to force pistons radially outward against the yokes and thus increase the grinding pressure of the rollers against the grinding ring.
- U.S Patent No. 3,027,103 does not disclose or suggest that the radially outward movement of each of the plurality of rollers as a result of rotation of the shaft.
- U.S Patent No. 3,027,103 further discloses yokes that are mounted in arcuately spaced relation on spiders which are splined or otherwise secured on a shaft above the bearing support for rotation of the yokes with the shaft.
- the yokes have inward and outward radial movement with reference to the spiders on upper and lower cylindrical bars for each yoke.
- U.S. Patent No. 3,027,103 also discloses that a yoke is provided for each pair of rollers. The rollers are mounted on a yoke and each of the yokes include upper and lower arms that are connected together by a vertical web.
- the yokes are arranged in oppositely spaced relation and have inward and outward radial movement with reference to upper and lower cylindrical blocks which are splined or otherwise affixed to a rotatably mounted shaft.
- U.S Patent No. 3,027,103 does not disclose or suggest any support plates for the rollers that are attached to the shaft.
- U.S. Patent No. 1,609,529 is directed to a pulverizing machine 300 that has material feed 301 through a circumferential inlet 302 extending through a grinding ring 303 to produce a talc. After the talc has been pulverized, the talc is drawn out from between the rolls 350 by means of an exhaust fan.
- the pulverizing machine 300 disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 1,609,529 includes a side wall 314 that has an opening that limits the size of the flow area FA proximate the outlet of the pulverizing machine.
- a planetary roller mill for processing a feed material such as Kaolin clay, bentonite, limestone, pet coke, coal, synthetic gypsum, natural gypsum and mixtures of synthetic and natural gypsum.
- the planetary roller mill includes a grinding assembly that is configured for grinding the feed material at a grinding zone air temperature of at least 177 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit). Such high air temperatures can be accommodated because no lubricant is required for the rollers, as described herein.
- the planetary roller mill includes a vessel assembly mounted to a stationary frame.
- the vessel assembly has an inside surface and a material feed supply in communication with the vessel assembly.
- a grinding assembly is positioned in the vessel assembly below the material feed supply.
- the grinding assembly includes an annular grinding ring that has an opening extending therethrough.
- the opening is defined by a radially inward facing grinding surface and has a first area.
- the grinding ring is in sealing engagement with the inside surface of the vessel assembly.
- the grinding assembly includes a shaft rotatably mounted to the frame.
- a first support plate secured to the shaft and has a first axially facing surface defining a second area.
- a second support plate is also secured to the shaft and has a second axially facing surface defining a third area.
- the second support plate is spaced axially apart from the first support plate.
- a plurality of rollers is rotatably mounted to and positioned between the first support plate and the second support plate.
- Each of the plurality of rollers is configured to move between the first support plate and the second support plate as a result of rotation of the shaft.
- Each of the plurality of rollers has a radially outer surface that is in grinding communication with the grinding surface of the grinding ring, for example, the outer surface rollingly engages the grinding surface of the grinding ring or the outer surface is in sufficient proximity to the grinding surface of the grinding ring to effectuate grinding.
- the planetary roller mill has an air supply system that has an outlet that is in communication with the opening in the grinding ring for supplying air through the opening.
- the outlet of the air supply system is connected to a bottom portion of the opening of the grinding ring, beneath the plurality of rollers.
- the first support plate and the second support plate are of a non-circular shape such that the second area of the first support plate and the third area of the second support plate are of magnitudes which configure a flow area through the opening of at least 30 percent of the first area to provide a predetermined quantity of heated air to remove moisture from the feed material in the grinding assembly.
- the each of the plurality of rollers has a bore axially extending therethrough.
- the bore has an inside diameter.
- Each of the plurality of rollers is mounted on a pin secured to and extending between the first plate and the second plate.
- the pin has an outside diameter that is less than the inside diameter of the bore.
- the flow area is from 40 to 70 percent of the first area so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to dry and/or calcining synthetic, natural gypsum or a mixture thereof.
- the flow area is from 40 to 50 percent of the first area so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to dry and calcining synthetic, natural gypsum or a mixture thereof.
- the flow area is from 40 to 70 percent of the first area so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to dry and/or calcining synthetic gypsum having about 10 wt% surface moisture and about 20 wt% chemical bond moisture, natural gypsum having about 5% surface moisture and about 20 wt% bond moisture or a mixture of synthetic gypsum and natural gypsum about 5 wt% to about 10 wt% surface moisture and about 20 wt% chemical bond moisture, while providing sufficient dwell time in the grinding area to produce a ground calcined product of a predetermined particle size.
- the flow area is from 40 to 50 percent of the first area so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to dry and/or calcining synthetic gypsum having about 10 wt% surface moisture and about 20 wt% chemical bond moisture, natural gypsum having about 5% surface moisture and about 20 wt% chemical bond moisture or a mixture of synthetic gypsum and natural gypsum about 5 wt% to about 10 wt% surface moisture and about 20 wt% chemical bond moisture, while providing sufficient dwell time in the grinding area to produce a ground calcined product of a predetermined particle size.
- the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to dry and/or calcining the feed material having a particle size of less than 1 millimeter.
- the flow area is from 30 to 60 percent of the first area so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to remove moisture from a feed material such as of Kaolin clay, bentonite, limestone, pet coke and/or coal.
- the flow area is from 30 to 60 percent of the first area so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to remove moisture from the feed material having a moisture content of greater than 5 wt%, while providing sufficient grinding area to produce a ground dried product of a predetermined particle size.
- the flow area is from 30 to 60 percent of the first area so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to remove moisture from a feed material having a particle size of about 0.05 to about 50 mm.
- the flow area is from 30 to 40 percent of the first area so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to remove moisture from a feed material such as of Kaolin clay, bentonite, limestone, pet coke and/or coal.
- the flow area is from 30 to 40 percent of the first area so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to remove moisture from the feed material having a moisture content of greater than 5 wt%, while providing sufficient grinding area to produce a ground dried product of a predetermined particle size.
- the flow area is from 30 to 40 percent of the first area so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to remove moisture from a feed material having a particle size of about 0.05 to about 50 mm.
- each of the rollers is convex and the grinding surface of the grinding ring is concave.
- the radially outer surface of each of the rollers is substantially straight and the grinding surface of the grinding ring is substantially straight.
- each of the rollers has a conical outer surface and the grinding surface of the grinding ring is sloped to receive the conical rollers.
- the grinding assembly includes a plow assembly that is rotatable with the shaft and is configured to transport the feed material from below the grinding assembly to the plurality of rollers and grinding ring.
- the planetary roller mill includes one or more additional support plates that are secured to the shaft.
- the additional support plates are spaced axially apart from the first support plate and the second support plate.
- An additional plurality of rollers is mounted to and positioned between the one of the additional support plates and the first support plate or the second support plate.
- Each of the additional plurality of rollers is configured to move between the first support plate, the second support plate and the additional support plate as a result of rotation of the shaft.
- Each of the plurality of additional rollers has the radially outer surface that is in grinding communication with the grinding surface of the grinding ring.
- the grinding assembly is configured for grinding the feed material at a grinding zone air temperature of at least 177 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit).
- no lubricant is disposed in a bore defined by each of the plurality of rollers.
- the material feed supply includes an outlet that extends through the vessel assembly into an interior area thereof.
- a ramp is secured to the inside surface and extends downwardly and radially inward relative to the outlet and at least partially between the outlet and the grinding ring.
- a cover is positioned over the outlet and at least a portion of the ramp.
- the roller mill includes means for adjusting (e.g., a shim stack) the vertical position of the rollers relative to the grinding ring.
- means for adjusting e.g., a shim stack
- the first support plate and/or the second support plate have a central area and one or more lobes extending outwardly from the central area.
- the lobes that have an asymmetrical shape.
- the lobes each have an area (e.g., an opening, a recess, or surface) for receiving a roller mounting pin.
- the area has a center point.
- the asymmetric shape includes a trailing edge and a leading edge generally opposite the trailing edge. The trailing edge extends further away from the center point, than does the leading edge.
- each of the plurality of rollers has an axial end.
- the center point is positioned on the lobe such that during rotation of the first support plate and the second support plate in a direction from the trailing edge to the leading edge, the lobe covers at least a portion of the axial end of the roller adjacent to the leading edge and the trailing edge.
- the grinding mill for processing feed material.
- the grinding mill includes a vessel assembly mounted to a stationary frame and having an inside peripheral surface.
- the grinding mill includes a material feed supply that is in communication with an interior area of the vessel assembly via an outlet extending radially inward through the inside peripheral surface.
- a grinding assembly (e.g., a pendulum configuration or a planetary configuration) is positioned in the vessel assembly.
- the grinding assembly includes an annular grinding ring that has a radially inwardly facing grinding surface.
- a shaft is rotatably mounted to the frame, for example via a bearing assembly.
- the plurality of rollers are configured to be in grinding communication with the grinding surface.
- a ramp is secured to the inside surface and extends downwardly and radially inward relative to the outlet and at least partially between the outlet and the grinding ring.
- a bottom portion of the ramp terminates radially outward in an inner radial edge (e.g., portion of the grinding surface) of the grinding ring and disposed radially outwardly from the grinding rollers.
- a cover is positioned (e.g., mounted by welding or with mechanical fasteners) over the outlet and at least a portion of the ramp.
- the cover includes one or more side plates or walls and one or more front plates (e.g., sloped, horizontal and/or vertical plates or walls).
- the cover is positioned radially outwardly from the grinding rollers.
- a portion of the cover extend radially inward of the grinding ring.
- the grinding assembly may be a planetary configuration having grinding rollers disposed between support plates in a planetary configuration (see, for example, FIGS. 1A and 1B ).
- the grinding assembly may be a pendulum type having grinding rollers supported via a pendulum configuration (see, for example, FIGS. 6 and 7 ).
- a support structure e.g., spider plate, a hub, support plates, support arms, gussets and combinations thereof
- a plurality of rollers is rotatably mounted to the support structure in a pendulum or planetary configuration.
- the grinding mill is either a planetary roller mill or a pendulum mill.
- the method includes providing a roller mill that has a vessel assembly mounted to a stationary frame and a grinding assembly positioned in the vessel assembly.
- the grinding assembly includes a first grinding ring that has a first opening extending therethrough. The first opening is defined by a first radially inward facing grinding surface and has a first area.
- the first grinding ring is in sealing engagement with the inside surface of the vessel assembly.
- a shaft is rotatably mounted to the frame.
- a hub is mounted to one end of the shaft, for example via a key and keyway configuration.
- a plurality of arms extend from the hub.
- the grinding assembly includes a plurality of journal assemblies.
- the grinding assembly includes a plurality of first rollers.
- One of the plurality of first rollers is rotatingly coupled to each journal assembly.
- the method of retrofitting the roller mill includes removing the plurality of arms, the plurality of journal assemblies and the plurality of first rollers from the roller mill.
- the method includes providing a sleeve, a first support plate, a second support plate and a plurality of second rollers.
- the sleeve is positioned over the shaft and the sleeve is secured to the shaft via the hub.
- the method includes securing the first support plate to the sleeve.
- the first support plate has a first axially facing surface that defines a second area.
- the method includes securing the second support plate to the sleeve.
- the second support plate has a second axially facing surface that defines a third area.
- the second support plate is spaced axially apart from the first support plate.
- the method includes rotatably mounting the plurality of second rollers to and between the first support plate and the second support plate so that each of the plurality of rollers is configured to move radially outward relative to the shaft as a result of rotation of the shaft and/or move between the first and second support plate.
- Each of the plurality of rollers have a radially outer surface.
- the first support plate and the second support plate are of a non-circular shape such that the second area of the first support plate and the third area of the second support plate are of magnitudes which configure a flow area through the first opening of at least 30 percent of the first area to provide a predetermined quantity of heated air to remove moisture from the feed material in the grinding assembly.
- the method includes providing a first plow assembly secured to the hub.
- the first plow assembly is removed from the roller mill.
- the method includes providing one or more second plow assemblies and securing the second plow assembly or assemblies to a bottom portion of the second support plate.
- the method includes removing the first grinding ring from the roller mill.
- a second grinding ring is provided.
- the second grinding ring has the first opening defined by the first radially inward facing grinding surface and having the first area.
- the first area of the first and second grinding rings may be of equal or different magnitudes.
- the method includes installing the second grinding ring in the roller mill.
- the method includes installing the second grinding ring in sealing engagement with the inside surface of the vessel assembly.
- the method includes adjusting the vertical position of the rollers relative to the grinding ring, for example, with the use of a shim stack.
- the support plate includes a central area that has a center of rotation and one or more lobes extending radially outward from the central area.
- Each of the lobes has an asymmetrical shape.
- Each of the lobes has an area (e.g., a recess, an opening or a surface) for receiving a roller mounting pin.
- the area has a center point.
- the asymmetric shape includes a trailing edge and a leading edge generally opposite the trailing edge. The trailing edge extends further away from the center point than does the leading edge.
- the center point is positioned on the lobe such that during rotation of the support plate in a direction from the trailing edge to the leading edge, the lobe is configured to cover at least a portion of an axial end of a roller, adjacent to the leading edge and the trailing edge.
- a planetary roller mill (also referred to as "roller mill” herein) for processing (e.g., grinding, drying, and/or calcining) a feed material such as, but not limited to, synthetic gypsum, natural gypsum, mixtures of synthetic gypsum and natural gypsum, Kaolin clay, bentonite, limestone, pet coke and coal, is generally designated by element number 10.
- a feed material such as, but not limited to, synthetic gypsum, natural gypsum, mixtures of synthetic gypsum and natural gypsum, Kaolin clay, bentonite, limestone, pet coke and coal
- element number 10 is generally designated by element number 10.
- the roller mill 10 has utility in removing moisture from the feed material in the grinding assembly.
- the roller mill 10 includes a vessel assembly 20 mounted to a stationary frame 21.
- the vessel assembly 20 is shown in a vertical orientation about an axis A10.
- the vessel assembly 20 includes: 1) a grinding section 20A located at a bottom portion of the vessel assembly; 2) a material feed section 20B located axially above the grinding section 20A; and 3) a classifier housing 20C located axially above the feed section 20B.
- a material feed apparatus 22 is in communication with and secured to the material feed section 20B.
- the material feed apparatus 22 has an inlet 22A for receiving material to be supplied thereto; and an outlet 22B for supplying the feed material to the feed section 20B.
- the outlet 22B of the material feed apparatus 22 is positioned axially above the grinding section 20A such that the feed material enters the grinding section 20A axially above the rollers 50 and above an axial upper edge 32X of a grinding ring 32.
- a turbine classifier 40 is rotationally mounted to a top portion of the vessel assembly 20 via a shaft 40A that is coupled to a drive assembly 40B for rotation of the shaft 40A and the turbine classifier 40.
- the turbine classifier 40 is in communication with an outlet 41 of the vessel assembly 20.
- the turbine classifier 40 allows properly ground material to be discharged through the outlet 41 while returning material that requires additional grinding, back to the grinding section 20A. While the turbine classifier 40 is shown and described, the present invention is not limited in this regard as other classifiers may be employed including but not limited to the whizzer separator shown and described in U.S. Patent No. 2,108,609 that issued on February 15, 1938 to R. F. O'Mara and also described in PCT Application No. PCT/US2017/23560 , with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 contained therein.
- the outlet 22B in the feed section 20B provides a communication between the material feed apparatus 22 and the outlet 22B that extends to an inside surface 20D of the of the vessel assembly 20.
- Material fed by the material feed apparatus 22 travels through the outlet 22B and falls, with the assistance of the force of gravity, onto the axial upper edge 32X of the grinding ring 32, as indicated by the arrow R20.
- a portion of the material to be ground e.g., larger and/or heavier particles
- smaller particles and fines e.g., synthetic gypsum and limestone
- a ramp 49 extends from a bottom edge 22X of the outlet 22B and slopes downwardly and radially inward to the axial upper edge 32X of the grinding ring 32 of a planetary type roller mill, such as those shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B . While the ramp 49 is shown and described as being employed with the planetary type roller mill, the ramp 49 may also be employed in a pendulum type roller mill, such as those shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 . In one embodiment, the ramp 49 may be employed in any type of grinding mill.
- an upper end 49U of the ramp 49 is secured to the inside surface 20D of the of the vessel assembly 20 by a weld 22W, for example, the weld 22W located at the bottom edge of the outlet 22B.
- a bottom end 49B of the ramp 49 rests on the axial upper edge 32X of the grinding ring 32.
- the ramp 49, including the bottom end 49B and upper end 49U, is positioned radially outward of an inner radial edge (e.g., proximate the grinding surface 46) of the grinding ring 32.
- the present invention is not limited in this regard as other configurations may be employed including but not limited to the use of mechanical fasteners, a ramp integrally formed with the inside surface 20D or the grinding ring 32, the ramp 49 can be spaced apart from the grinding ring 32 and/or the ramp 49 can be secured to the inside surface 20D and/or the grinding ring 32 with one or more brackets, fixtures or covers.
- the bottom end 49B of the ramp 49 terminates a distance G30 from an edge of the grinding surface 46. The distance G30 is determined based upon a maximum allowable wear of the grinding ring 32.
- a cover 59 is positioned over the ramp 49 and the outlet 22B.
- the cover 59 includes a ramped surface 59F supported by opposing triangular shaped side walls 59E.
- the ramped surface 59F slopes downward and radially inward from an upper edge 59U thereof.
- the ramped surface 59F terminates at a bottom edge 59B of the cover 59.
- the bottom edge 59B terminates a distance G33 above the axial upper edge 32X of the grinding ring 32.
- the distance G33 is zero and the bottom edge terminates at a horizontal plane that is coplanar with the axial upper edge 32X of the grinding ring 32.
- the bottom edge 59B of the cover 59 extends radially inward from the grinding surface 46 by a distance G31 to allow ample area for discharge of the material to be ground. While the bottom edge 59B of the cover 59 is shown and described as extending radially inward from the grinding surface 46, the present invention is not limited in this regard as the bottom edge 59B of the cover 59 may terminate radially outward from the grinding surface 46.
- covers and ramps are generally not needed in configurations (e.g., planetary grinding mills and pendulum grinding mills) where the grinding area is directly below the outlet of the material feed, that the cover 59 illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 is aerodynamic, minimizes disruption to the air flow, and has utility for grinding and drying fine feed materials such as synthetic gypsum and limestone.
- the Applicant has discovered that use of the ramp 49 and the cover 59 cooperate to provide a direct and unobstructed flow path R22 between the outlet 22B and the grinding area 20A for the material to be ground.
- the ramp 49 and the cover 59 allow the material to be ground to travel more quickly from the outlet 22B to the grinding section 20A, compared to a configuration as shown in FIG.
- FIG. 15 illustrates another embodiment of a ramp 49' and cover 59' that results in a greater interior area compared to that created by the ramp 49 and cover 59 configuration of FIGS. 12 and 14 .
- the ramp 49' has an upper edge 49U' that is secured to the inside wall 20B at a position between the bottom edge 22X of the outlet 22B and the axial upper edge 32X of the grinding ring 32.
- the bottom edge 49B' is configured similar to the bottom edge 49B of the ramp 49 and is secured to the axial upper edge 32X of the grinding ring 32 and/or the inside surface 20B similar to the described for the bottom edge 49B shown in FIG. 14 .
- the cover 59' includes a ramped surface 59F' that extends downward and radially inward from an upper edge 59U' thereof.
- the ramped surface 59F' transitions into a vertical surface 59G'.
- the vertical surface 59G' terminates at a bottom edge 59B' of the cover 59'.
- the bottom edge 59B' terminates a distance G33 above the axial upper edge 32X of the grinding ring 32.
- the distance G33 is zero and the bottom edge terminates at a horizontal plane that is coplanar with the axial upper edge 32X of the grinding ring 32.
- the bottom edge 59B extends radially inward from the grinding surface 46 by a distance G31 to allow ample area for discharge of the material to be ground.
- the Applicant has discovered that the cover 59' illustrated in FIG. 15 , is aerodynamic, minimizes disruption to the air flow, and has utility for fine grinding limestone with fine feed sizes.
- the Applicant has discovered that use of the ramp 49' and the cover 59' cooperate to provide a direct and unobstructed flow path R22 between the outlet 22B and the grinding area 20A for the material to be ground.
- the ramp 49' and the cover 59' allow the material to be ground to travel more quickly from the outlet 22B to the grinding area, compared to a configuration as shown in FIG. 11 that has no ramp or cover.
- the Applicant has further discovered that use of the ramp 49' and the cover 59' cooperate to reduce the quantity of material carried away by the updraft 51A (see e.g., FIG. 13 ), thereby increasing the percentage of material discharged through the outlet 22B that enters the grinding area 20A, compared to a configuration as shown in FIG. 11 that has no ramp or cover.
- the ramp 49 or 49' is secured (e.g., welded) to the cover 59 or 59' to create an integral one piece ramp and cover assembly.
- the side walls 59E or 59E' flare outwardly from the cover 59 or 59'.
- the side walls 59E or 59E' have flanges extending outwardly therefrom.
- the cover 59 or 59'; the ramp 49 or 49'; and/or the integral one piece ramp and cover assembly are removably secured to the inside wall 20B.
- clamps and lugs are secured to the inside wall 20B and the flange slides into the clamps and the cover 59 or 59' seat on the lugs so that the cover 59 or 59' and/or the ramp 49 or 49' are removably secured to the inside wall 20B and located at a predetermined position from the grinding ring 32.
- the ramps 49 and 49' and/or the covers 59 and 59' can be employed in the planetary roller mills 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1A , 1B , 2A-2F , 3A-3C , 4A, 4B , 5 as well as the pendulum mills of FIGS. 6 and 7 . They may also be used in any other configuration of grinding mill where fine feed raw material is to be gravity fed from an outlet port toward a grinding section.
- a grinding assembly 30 is positioned in the grinding section 20A of the vessel assembly 20 below the outlet 22B.
- the grinding assembly 30 includes the annular grinding ring 32 that is secured to the inside surface 20D of the vessel assembly 20 via suitable fasteners 32F.
- the grinding ring 32 has an outside surface 32Q that is arranged in sealing engagement with the inside surface 33Y of a support ring 33 of the vessel assembly 20.
- the grinding ring 32 is a continuous annular ring with no circumferential openings or material feed inlets extending therethrough.
- a plurality of vanes 34 are positioned between the support ring 33 and a base plate 36 that is secured to the frame 21.
- the vanes 34 are positioned below the grinding assembly 30 and extend an angled length from a position radially outward from the grinding ring 32 to a position radially inward from the grinding ring 32.
- the vanes 34 are positioned in a circumferential configuration around the support ring 33. Adjacent pairs of the vanes 34 define channels 35 (e.g., nozzles) therebetween for conveying heated air designated by the arrows 35A into the grinding assembly 30 at velocities and flow rates sufficient to dry and/or calcining the material to be ground, as described herein.
- the vessel assembly 20 includes an air supply manifold 45 that has an inlet 45A that extends into a circumferential duct 45B that surrounds and opens into the grinding section 20A as described herein.
- the outlet of the air supply manifold 45 is connected to a bottom portion of the opening 44 of the grinding ring 32, axially beneath the plurality of rollers 50.
- the grinding ring 32 has an opening 44 extending therethrough from the axial upper edge 32X to an axial lower edge 32Y thereof.
- the opening 44 is defined by a radially inward facing grinding surface 46 and having a first area A1.
- the grinding assembly 30 includes a drive shaft 39 rotatably mounted to the frame 21.
- a hub 43 is secured to an upper portion of the drive shaft 39 by a key connection (not shown).
- the hub 43 includes a flange 43F on a lower end thereof.
- the grinding assembly 30 includes a sleeve 43C that extends axially downward from another flange 43G.
- a shim stack 43J is positioned between the flange 43F and the flange 43G.
- a plurality of fasteners secure the flanges 43F and 43G to one another.
- a plurality of gussets 47 are secured to and extend radially from the sleeve 43C.
- the shim stack 43J includes a predetermined number of shims (e.g., annular discs, for example 0.0625 inches (1.5875 mm) thick). Variation of the number of shims in the shim stack 43J adjusts the vertical position of the rollers 50 relative to the grinding ring 32, as described herein. While the shim stack 43J is shown and described as being employed to adjust the vertical position of the rollers 50 relative to the grinding ring 32, the present invention is not limited in this regard as other means for adjusting the rollers 50 relative to the grinding ring 32 may be employed including but not limited to washers and jacking screws or indeed by appropriate sizing of parts determining the position of the rollers 50 relative to the grinding ring 32.
- shims e.g., annular discs, for example 0.0625 inches (1.5875 mm
- the grinding assembly 30 includes a first support plate 52 secured to the shaft 39 via the hub 43, the sleeve 43C and the gussets 47.
- the first support plate 52 has a first axially facing surface 52A defining a second area A2.
- the first support plate 52 is of a generally non-circular shape configured to establish an optimum magnitude of the area A2. In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 4B , the area A2' of the first support plate 52 is increased over the area A2 shown in FIGS.
- the support plate 52 has a central area 52C with three lobes 52L extending radially outwardly therefrom. While FIG. 3A illustrates the support plate 52 having three lobes 52L, the present invention is not limited in this regard as the support plate may have any number of lobes, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A , the support plate 52 has the central area 52C with six lobes 52L extending radially outwardly therefrom.
- the grinding assembly 30 includes a second support plate 54 secured to the shaft 39 via the hub 43, the sleeve 43C and the gussets 47.
- the second support plate 54 has a second axially facing surface 54A defining a third area A3.
- the second support plate 54 is of a generally non-circular shape configured to establish an optimum magnitude of the area A3.
- the Applicant has discovered that circular shaped support plates are not suitable to provide the optimum magnitude of the area A3.
- the second support plate 54 is spaced axially apart from the first support plate 52 by a gap G10.
- the second support plate 54 is configured in a shape similar to that shown (e.g., FIGS. 3A, 3B , 4A and 4B ) and described for the first support plate 52.
- a plurality of rollers 50 are rotatably mounted to and positioned between the first support plate 52 and the second support plate 54.
- Adding shims to the shim stack 43J causes the sleeve 43C, the first and second support plates 52 and 54 and the rollers 50 to move vertically downward to vertically align the rollers 50 in the grinding ring 32.
- Reducing the number shims in the shim stack 43J causes the sleeve 43C, the first and second support plates 52 and 54 and the rollers 50 to move vertically upward to vertically align the rollers 50 in the grinding ring 32.
- the first support plate 52 is shown in a cut away view to expose the axial end 50Z of the roller 50.
- Each of the plurality of rollers 50 is configured to move between the first and second support plates 52 and 54, for example move between the first and second support plates 52 and 54 in the direction of the arrow R1, (as shown by the dashed lines 50 version of the roller 50) as a result of rotation of the shaft 39 in the clockwise direction of the arrow R9.
- Each of the plurality of rollers 50 has a bore 50B extending axially therethrough.
- the bore 50B has an inside diameter D50.
- Each of the plurality of rollers 50 is mounted on a pin 60 secured to and extending between the first support plate 52 and the second support plate 54 in the area of the respective lobe 52L (e.g., FIGS. 3 and 4 ).
- the pin 60 has an outside diameter D60 that is less than the inside diameter D50 of the bore 50B.
- Each of the plurality of rollers has a radially outer surface 50X. Due to rotation of the shaft 39 in the clockwise direction R9, the roller 50 moves circumferentially backward towards a trailing edge 54T of the second support plate 54 and away from the pin 60 as shown by the arrow R1. As a result of the rotation of the shaft 39 the roller 50 moves between the first and second support plates 52 and 54.
- the roller 50 moves between the first support plate 52 and the second support plate 54 in the direction of the arrow R1 (see FIG. 2D ) to the roller position indicated by the dashed lines 50 so that the radially outer surface 50X is in grinding communication with the grinding surface 46 of the grinding ring 32, for example, the outer surface 50X' rollingly engages the grinding surface 46 of the grinding ring 32 or the outer surface 50X' is in sufficient proximity to the grinding surface 46 of the grinding ring 32 to effectuate grinding.
- the roller 50 is forced radially outward in the direction of the arrow R2 by centrifugal force to increase the contact pressure between the outer surface 50X of the roller and the grinding surface 46. If the roller 50 encounters very large or abnormally hard chunks of material, the roller 50 may temporarily move radially inward in a direction opposite to the arrow R2.
- the roller when the shaft 39 is not rotating, the roller may attain a neutral state wherein the bore 50B is centered around the pin 60.
- the neutral state the radially outer surface 50X of the roller 50 is equidistant from lateral edges of the lobes 52L and 54L, as indicated by the distances D10 and D11.
- the roller 50 moves in the general direction of the arrow R1.
- the radially outer surface 50X of the roller 50 is asymmetrically spaced from the lateral edges (i.e., the leading edge 54U and trailing edges 54T) of the lobes 54L, as indicated by the unequal distances D12 and D13.
- the support plate 152 is similar to the first and second support plates 52 and 54 of FIGS. 3A and 3B , thus similar elements of the first support plate 52 are designated with similar element numbers preceded by the numeral 1.
- the rollers 50 shown in FIG. 3C are contoured with convex exterior surfaces 50X, similar to the rollers 50 shown in FIG.2E .
- the area A2" of the first support plate 152 is increased over the area A2 shown in FIG. 3A , by extending the area A2" asymmetrically outwardly to cover a portion of (i.e., less than the area A2' shown in FIG. 3B and greater than the area A2 of FIG. 3A ) the axial end 50Z of each of the rollers 50, without reducing the flow area FA.
- Use of the increased area A2" reduces the contact pressure between the axial end 50Z and the first axially facing surface 152A of each of the lobes 152L, as described herein.
- the direction of rotation of the shaft 39, the first support plate 152 and the second support plate 154 (only a portion of the second support plate 154 is shown under the cut away portion of the first support plate 152) is clockwise, relative to the stationary grinding ring 32, is indicated by the arrow R9.
- the first support plate 152 has a central area 152C that defines a center of rotation about the axis A10.
- Three lobes 152L extend radially outward from the central area 152C.
- each of the lobes 152L has an asymmetrical shape and an area 152Q (e.g., a recess, an opening or surface) for receiving a roller mounting pin 60.
- the area for receiving the roller mounting pin 60 has a center point 60P.
- the asymmetric shape of the lobes 152L is defined by a trailing edge 152T and a leading edge 152U, generally opposite the trailing edge 152T.
- the trailing edge 152T extends further away from the center point 60P than does the leading edge 152U.
- the trailing edge 152T extends away from the center point 60P a distance D21 and the leading edge 152U extends away from the center point 60P by a distance D20.
- the distance D21 is greater than the distance D20.
- the lobe 152L has a straight section 152V that transitions at transition point R12 to the trailing edge 152T.
- the trailing edge 152T transitions into the leading edge 152U which transitions into a straight section 152W at transition point R13.
- the trailing edge 152T and the leading edge 152U have has a radius of curvature R15 measured from a center point 152P of the lobe 152L.
- the transition point R12 is located at about a 10 o'clock to 11 o'clock position; and the transition point R13 is located at about a 7 o'clock position.
- the center point 60P is positioned on the lobe 152L such that during rotation of the support plate in a direction from the trailing edge 152T to the leading edge 152 U (i.e., in the direction of the arrow R9), the lobe 152L is configured to cover at least a portion of the axial end 50Z of the roller 50, adjacent to the leading edge 152U and the trailing edge 152T, thereby leaving the arcuate segment 157A of the axial end 50Z uncovered.
- FIG. 3F the center point 60P is positioned on the lobe 152L such that during rotation of the support plate in a direction from the trailing edge 152T to the leading edge 152 U (i.e., in the direction of the arrow R9), the lobe 152L is configured to cover at least a portion of the axial end 50Z of the roller 50, adjacent to the leading edge 152U and the trailing edge 152T, thereby leaving the arcuate segment 157A of the axial end 50Z
- the uncovered segment 157A extends around the lobe 152L from the transition point R12 to the transition point R13 at a substantially uniform width W57 between an edge of the axial end 50Z of the roller 50 and a transition 50ZZ to the exterior surface 50Z of the roller 50.
- the lobe 152L covers a portion of the axial end 50Z adjacent to the leading edge 152U and the trailing edge 152T.
- the center point 60P is positioned on the lobe 152L such that in a neutral state with the center point 60P positioned coaxially with the axial center line 50P of the roller 50.
- the lobe 152L is configured to cover at least a portion of the axial end 50Z of the roller 50, adjacent to the leading edge 152U but none or less of the axial end 50Z adjacent to the trailing edge 152T, thereby leaving the arcuate segment 157B of the axial end 50Z, uncovered.
- the uncovered arcuate segment 157B extends around the leading edge 152U of the lobe 152L a non-uniform width W56 between an edge of the axial end 50Z of the roller 50 and a transition 50ZZ to the exterior surface 50Z of the roller 50.
- the lobe 152L covers a portion of the axial end 50Z adjacent to the leading edge 152U.
- the roller 50 moves in the direction of the arrow R1 and an uncovered segment 157A extends around the leading edge 152U and trailing edge 152T of the lobe 152L a uniform width W57 between an edge of the axial end 50Z of the roller 50 and a transition 50ZZ to the exterior surface 50Z of the roller 50.
- the Applicant has discovered that use of the asymmetric shape of the lobe 152L disclosed herein allows the bore 50B to wear radially outward while maintaining the axial end 50Z of the roller 50 partially covered. This is because as the wear occurs and the roller 50 migrates further away from the trailing edge 152T, the greater distance D21 that the trailing edge 152T extends away from the center point 60P compared to the distance D22, the lobe 152L maintains greater coverage of the axial end 50Z, compared to the lobes 52L shown in FIG. 3A .
- asymmetric lobes 152L are shown and described for the first support plate 152, similar asymmetric lobes may be employed for the second support plate 154.
- wear plates 169A, 169B is similar to the wear plates 69A, 69B illustrated in FIGS. 2E and 2F , except that the wear plates 169A and 169B have an asymmetric shape complementary to the asymmetric shape of the lobes 152L described herein with reference to FIGS. 3C , 3E and 3F .
- the wear plates 169A, 169B are installed in the grinding section 20A similar to that shown and described herein with reference to FIGS. 2E and 2F for the wear plates 69A and 69B.
- the wear plates 169A, 169B have holes 171H extending there through for receiving fasteners 69F that are threaded into the respective first and/or second support plates 52, 152, 54, 154 for securing the wear plates 169A, 169B thereto.
- the Applicant has overcome difficulty in mounting (e.g., wear plates are too hard to form threads therein and may require periodic replacement) the wear members 69A and 69B to the respective one of the first support plate 52 and the second support plate 54, by employing the fasteners 69F proximate a radially inward edge thereof while employing spot welds on a radially outer edge thereof.
- the air supply manifold 45 has an outlet in the form of the circumferential duct 45B that is in communication with the opening 44 in the grinding ring 32 for supplying heated air through the opening 44 at a velocity and flow rate sufficient for drying and calcining the moist material to be ground.
- the heated air flows upward through the grinding section 20A and the feed section 20B as indicated by the arrows 51A.
- the feed material flows in a generally downward direction from the feed outlet 22B in the general direction of the arrows 51F and generally opposite to the direction indicated by the arrows 51A.
- a first wear member 69A (e.g., a plate) is removably secured to an first axially facing surface 52A of each of the lobes 52L of the first support plate 52 by suitable fasteners 69F.
- the first wear member 69A is manufactured from a heat treated alloy steel that has a hardness of about 500-600 BHN.
- An axial end 50Z of the roller 50 slidingly engages the first wear member 69A.
- Each of the first wear members 69A has a shape that is complementary to the shape of a portion of the lobe 52L.
- a second wear member 69B (e.g., a plate) is removably secured to second axially facing surface 54A (i.e., upper side) of each of the lobes 54L of the second support plate 54 by suitable fasteners 69F.
- the second wear member 69B is manufactured from a heat treated alloy steel that has a hardness of about 500-600 BHN.
- An axial end 50Y of the roller 50 slidingly engages and is seated on the second wear member 69B.
- Each of the second wear members 69B has a shape that is complementary to the shape of a portion of the lobe 52L.
- the wear members 69A and/or 69B are about 1/2 inch thick.
- there is a small gap G9 (e.g., about 0.10 to 0.15 inches) between the underside of the first wear member 69A and the axial end 50Z of the roller 50.
- the grinding assembly 430 has conical rollers 450 that have the radially outer surface 450X sloped at an angle ⁇ relative to reference line A12 that is parallel to an axial center line A11 of the roller 450.
- the grinding ring 432 has conical grinding surface 446 that is sloped radially inward and axially downward from the axial upper edge 432X of a grinding ring 432 to the axial lower edge 432Y of the grinding ring 432 at the angle ⁇ measured relative to a vertical reference line A12.
- the roller 450 is installed in the grinding ring 432 with the axial end 450Y (i.e., smaller diameter end compared to the axial end 450Z) facing down and below the axial end 450Z.
- the angle ⁇ is between 5 and 15 degrees.
- the use of the conical rollers 450 and the conical grinding surface 446 has utility in providing a vertical lifting force which lifts the roller 450 to reduce the vertical force (e.g., about equal to 50-100% of the weight of the roller 450) applied to the wear member 69B. Reduction of the vertical force applied to the wear plate 69B reduces friction, wear and power consumption.
- Use of the conical rollers 450 and the conical grinding surface 446 also has utility in compensating for misalignment of the rollers 450 relative to the grinding ring 432 during assembly, because after a period of operation the rollers 450 migrate to a position favorable to grinding performance.
- the conical rollers 450 and conical grinding surface 446 can also be employed in configurations without the wear plates 69A and 69B, for example, in the grinding assemblies 30 of FIGS. 2A , 2B and 2C .
- the conical rollers 450 have an overlay 450K applied thereto, such as a cobalt based weld overlay (e.g., Stoody ® 100 registered to Stoody Company or Stellite ® registered to Kennametal Inc.). While the overlay 450K is shown and described as being applied to the conical rollers 450, the present invention is not limited in this regard as the overlay 450K can be applied to any of the rollers 50 shown in FIGS. 1A , 1B , 2A , 2B , 2C and 2E .
- the overlay 450K increases surface roughness and increases life of the rollers 450, 50 and helps prevent skidding or sliding of the rollers 450, 50 on the grinding surface 446, 46.
- Employing the shim stack 43J also has utility in vertically positioning the contoured rollers 50 of FIG. 2E in the grinding ring 32 to maximize the grinding surface area therebetween.
- the first support plate and the second support plate are of a non-circular shape such that the optimum second area A2 of the first support plate 52 and the optimum third area A3 of the second support plate 54 are of magnitudes which configure a flow area FA (see FIGS. 3 and 4 , for example showing the flow area FA as being the area A1 minus the area A2) through the opening of at least 30 percent of the first area A1 to provide a predetermined quantity of heated air in a ratio of 2-4 mass flow rate of air to mass flow rate of material being dried, to dry and/or calcining the feed material in the grinding assembly 30 and transport the ground material upwards through the grinding assembly 30 at a velocity (e.g., a velocity of about 20 feet per second to 40 feet per second) sufficient to entrain the ground material, in an air stream flowing upwardly through the grinding assembly 30.
- a velocity e.g., a velocity of about 20 feet per second to 40 feet per second
- the flow area FA is from 40 to 70 percent of the first area A1 so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to dry and calcining synthetic gypsum, natural gypsum or mixtures of synthetic gypsum and natural gypsum. In one embodiment, the flow area FA is from 40 to 50 percent of the first area A1 so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to dry and calcining synthetic and natural gypsum.
- the flow area FA extends from a radially outer edge 52E (see FIGS. 1A , 1B , 2A , 2B , 2C , 3A, 3B ) of the first support plate 52 to the grinding surface 46.
- the flow area FA extends from a radially outer edge 54E (see FIGS. 1A , 1B , 2A , 2B , 2C , 3A, 3B ) of the second support plate 54 to the grinding surface 46.
- the flow area FA extends from a radially outer edge 56E (see FIG. 2C ) of the third support plate 56 to the grinding surface 46.
- the flow area FA includes an outlet of the grinding section 20A that transitions into the feed section 20B.
- Configuring the flow area FA from 40 to 70 percent or from 40 to 50 percent of the first area A1 yields the surprising result of providing the predetermined quantity of heated air sufficient to dry and calcining synthetic gypsum having about 10 wt% (i.e., weight percent) surface moisture and about 20 wt% chemical bond moisture (i.e., collectively referred to as high moisture).
- Configuring the flow area FA from 40 to 70 percent or from 40 to 50 percent of the first area A1 yields the surprising result of providing the predetermined quantity of heated air sufficient to dry and calcining natural gypsum having about 5 wt% (i.e., weight percent) surface moisture and about 20 wt% chemical bond moisture (i.e., collectively referred to as high moisture).
- Configuring the flow area FA from 40 to 70 percent or from 40 to 50 percent of the first area A1 yields the surprising result of providing the predetermined quantity of heated air sufficient to dry and calcining a mixture of synthetic gypsum and natural gypsum having about 5 wt% to about 10 wt% (i.e., weight percent) surface moisture and about 20 wt% chemical bond moisture (i.e., collectively referred to as high moisture).
- configuring the flow area FA from 40 to 70 percent or from 40 to 50 percent of the first area A1 yields the surprising result of providing the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to dry and calcining the feed material having about 10 wt% surface moisture and about 20 wt% chemical bond moisture.
- the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to dry and calcining the feed material having a particle size of less than 1 millimeter. In one embodiment, the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to dry and calcining the feed material having a particle size of about 40 to about 80 microns.
- the flow area FA is from 30 to 60 percent of the first area A1 so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to dry the feed material that includes one or more of Kaolin clay, bentonite, limestone, pet coke and coal.
- Configuring the flow area FA from 30 to 60 percent of the first area A1 yields the surprising result of providing the predetermined quantity of heated air sufficient to dry the feed material having a moisture content of greater than 5 wt%.
- Configuring the flow area FA from 30 to 60 percent of the first area A1 yields the surprising result of providing the predetermined quantity of heated air sufficient to dry the feed material having a moisture content of greater than 5 wt% and having a particle size of about 0.05 mm to about 50 mm.
- the flow area FA is from 30 to 40 percent of the first area A1 so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to dry the feed material that includes one or more of Kaolin clay, bentonite, limestone, pet coke and coal.
- Configuring the flow area FA from 30 to 40 percent of the first area A1 yields the surprising result of providing the predetermined quantity of heated air sufficient to dry the feed material having a moisture content of greater than 5 wt%.
- Configuring the flow area FA from 30 to 40 percent of the first area A1 yields the surprising result of providing the predetermined quantity of heated air sufficient to dry the feed material having a moisture content of greater than 5 wt% and having a particle size of about 0.05 mm to about 50 mm.
- the Applicant discovered that the 40-70% flow area are required to provide sufficient air flow with enough heating capacity, while providing sufficient dwell time in the grinding area to produce a ground calcined product of a predetermined particle size.
- the Applicant has discovered that for grinding and drying of other material such as Kaolin clay, bentonite, limestone, pet coke and coal, that the 30-60% flow area is required to provide sufficient air flow with enough heating capacity, while providing sufficient grinding area to produce a ground dried product of a predetermined particle size.
- the radially outer surface 50X of each of the rollers is contoured (e.g., convex) and the grinding surface 46 of the grinding ring is contoured (e.g., concave).
- the present invention is not limited in this regard as in one embodiment, the radially outer surface 50X' of each of the rollers 50' is substantially straight and the grinding surface 46' of the grinding ring 32' is substantially straight, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 2B .
- FIGS. 1B and 2B are similar to FIGS. 1A and 2A with the exception of the aforementioned straight configuration and therefor include the same element numbers for identical components.
- rollers 50 having the convex radially outer surface 50X and the concave grinding surface 46 consume less energy compared to the roller mills 10' ( FIG. 1B ) having straight radially outer surface 50X' and straight grinding surface 46'.
- the grinding assembly 30 includes a plow assembly 70 rotatable with the shaft 39 and configured to transport the feed material from below the grinding assembly 30 upwards to the plurality of rollers 50' and grinding ring 32'.
- the second support plate 54 is utilized as a mounting site for a plow support structure 77 to receive the plow assembly 70. Adjusting the number of shims in the shim stack 43J also adjusts the vertical position of the plow assembly 70, similar to that described herein for adjusting the vertical position of the rollers 50.
- the roller mill 30" has a multiple roller layered configuration (e.g., 2 layers of contoured rollers are shown) includes a third support plate 56 secured to the shaft 39 via the sleeve 43C (and the hub 43 shown in FIG. 2A ).
- a plurality of contoured rollers 50 is shown positioned between the first support plate and the second support plate 54.
- the contoured rollers 50 have an arcuate curved circumferential surface 50X.
- the third support plate 56 is spaced axially apart from the first support plate 52 and the second support plate 54.
- An additional plurality of contoured rollers 50 similar to the contoured rollers 50, is mounted to and positioned between the third support plate and the second support plate 54.
- Each of the additional plurality of rollers 50" is configured to move between the first support plate, the second support plate and/or the additional support plate as a result of rotation of the shaft 39.
- Each of the plurality of contoured rollers 50 has the radially outer surface 50X that is in grinding communication with the contoured grinding surface 46 of the grinding ring 32, for example, the outer surface 50X rollingly engages the contoured grinding surface 46 of the grinding ring 32" or the outer surface 50X is in sufficient proximity to the contoured grinding surface 46 of the grinding ring 32 to effectuate grinding.
- Each of the plurality of additional rollers 50" has the radially outer surface 50X" that is in grinding communication with the contoured grinding surface 46" of the grinding ring 32", for example, the outer surface 50X” rollingly engages the contoured grinding surface 46" of the grinding ring 32" or the outer surface 50X” is in sufficient proximity to the contoured grinding surface 46" of the grinding ring 32" to effectuate grinding..
- the Applicant has found that the use of the multiple roller layer configuration shown in FIG. 2C , preferably a limit of two layers, is adequate because the two layers do not impede the upward flow of material to be ground as provided by the plow assembly 70, compared to prior art mills 200 ( FIG. 8 ) that employ a top to bottom path for material being fed through the grinding assembly 280.
- FIG. 2C illustrates a first support plate 52 and a second support plate 54 with a plurality of rollers 50 there between and the plurality of additional rollers 50" positioned between the second support plate 54 and the third support plate 56
- the present invention is not limited in this regard as any number of rows or layers of plurality of rollers between any number of support plates may be employed without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention.
- the grinding assembly 30 has no lubrication system that provides a lubricant such as oil to the pin 60 and the bore 50B of the rollers 50, 50' or 50".
- the grinding assembly 30 is configured for grinding the feed material that requires an airstream supplied at a temperature that the pin 60 and the bore 50B of the rollers 50, 50' or 50" operate at greater than 177 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher (e.g., 232 degrees Celsius (450 degrees Fahrenheit)).
- the weight of the rollers 50, 50' or 50" is significantly less (e.g., 40 percent of) than a comparably sized journal assembly 188 of the prior art pendulum mill 100 shown and described with reference to FIGS.
- the planetary roller mill 10 with the grinding assembly 30 is configured to grind, dry and calcining materials such as synthetic gypsum, natural gypsum or mixtures of synthetic gypsum and natural gypsum having a feed material particle size of 40 to 80 microns and a ground particle size of 25 to 35 microns.
- the present invention includes a method of retrofitting a roller mill such as the pendulum mill 100 shown in FIG. 6 .
- the method includes providing a roller mill, such as the pendulum mill 100, that has a vessel assembly 105 mounted to a stationary frame or base assembly 110 and a grinding assembly 180 positioned in the vessel assembly 105.
- the grinding assembly 180 includes a first grinding ring 133 that has a first opening extending therethrough. The first opening is defined by a first radially inward facing grinding surface 129 and has a first area.
- the first grinding ring 133 is in sealing engagement with the inside surface of the vessel assembly 105.
- a shaft 182 is rotatably mounted to the frame 110, for example by suitable bearings.
- a hub 186 is mounted to one end of the shaft 182, for example via a key and keyway configuration.
- a plurality of arms 187 extend from the hub 186.
- the grinding assembly 180 includes a plurality of journal assemblies 188 as shown in detail in FIG. 7 .
- One of the plurality of journal assemblies 188 is pivotally secured to each of the plurality of arms 187.
- the grinding assembly 180 includes a plurality of first rollers 189.
- One of the plurality of first rollers 189 is rotatingly coupled to each journal assembly 188.
- the method of retrofitting the roller mill includes removing the plurality of arms 187, the plurality of journal assemblies 188 and the plurality of first rollers 189 from the roller mill.
- the shaft 189 and the hub 186 may be employed in the retrofitted roller mill, modified or replaced with the hub 43 and shaft 39 illustrated in FIGS. 1A , 2A , 2E and 2F , for example.
- the method includes providing a sleeve 43C, a first support plate 52, a second support plate 54 and a plurality of second rollers 50 such as, for example, those shown in FIGS. 1A , 2A , 2E and 2F .
- the sleeve 43C is positioned over the shaft 39 and the sleeve 43C is secured to the shaft 39 via the hub 43.
- the method includes securing the first support plate 52 to the sleeve 43C, for example by welding and use of the gussets 47.
- the first support plate 52 has a first axially facing surface 52A that defines a second area A2.
- the method includes securing the second support plate 54 to the sleeve 43C, for example by welding.
- the second support plate 54 has a second axially facing surface 54A that defines a third area A3.
- the second support plate 54 is spaced axially apart from the first support plate 52.
- the method includes rotatably mounting the plurality of second rollers 50 to and between the first support plate 52 and the second support plate 54 so that each of the plurality of rollers 50 is configured to move between the first support plate 52 and the second support plate 54 as a result of rotation of the shaft, as shown and described herein with reference to FIG. 2D .
- Each of the plurality of rollers 50 has a radially outer surface 50X.
- the first support plate 52 and the second support plate 54 are of a non-circular shape such that the second area A2 of the first support plate 52 and the third area A3 of the second support plate 54 are of magnitudes which configure a flow area FA through the first opening 44 of at least 30 percent of the first area A1 to provide a predetermined quantity of heated air to remove moisture from the feed material in the grinding assembly 20A.
- the method includes providing a first plow assembly 190 secured to the hub 186 by the plow support 191, as shown in FIG. 6 .
- the first plow assembly 190 is removed from the pendulum mill 100.
- the method includes providing one or more second plow assemblies 70 and securing the second plow assembly 70 or assemblies to a bottom portion of the second support plate 54.
- the method includes removing the first grinding ring 133 ( FIG. 6 ) from the mill 100.
- a second grinding ring 32 is provided, such as that shown in FIGS. 1A , 2A , 2E and 2F .
- the second grinding ring 32 has the first opening defined by the first radially inward facing grinding surface 46 and has the first area A1.
- the first area A1 of the first and second grinding rings 133, 32 may be equal or different in magnitude.
- the method includes installing the second grinding ring 32 in sealing engagement with the inside surface of the vessel assembly.
- the method includes installing the second grinding ring 32 in sealing engagement with the inside surface 20D of the vessel assembly 20.
- the method includes adjusting the vertical position of the rollers 50 relative to the grinding ring 32, for example, with the use of the shim stack43J.
- Example 1 A planetary roller mill for processing a feed material, the roller mill comprising: a vessel assembly mounted to a stationary frame and having an inside surface; a material feed supply in communication with the vessel assembly; a grinding assembly positioned in the vessel assembly below the material feed supply, the grinding assembly comprising: an annular grinding ring having an opening extending therethrough, the opening being defined by a radially inward facing grinding surface and having a first area, the grinding ring being in sealing engagement with the inside surface of the vessel assembly; a shaft rotatably mounted to the frame; a first support plate secured to the shaft and having a first axially facing surface defining a second area; a second support plate secured to the shaft and having a second axially facing surface defining a third area, the second support plate being spaced axially apart from the first support plate; a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted to and positioned between the first support plate and the second support plate, each of the plurality of rollers being configured to move between the first support plate and the second support plate as
- Example 2 The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein each of the plurality of rollers has a bore axially extending therethrough, the bore having an inside diameter, each of the plurality of rollers is mounted on a pin secured to and extending between the first plate and the second plate, the pin having an outside diameter that is less than the inside diameter of the bore.
- Example 3 The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein the flow area is from 40 to 70 percent of the first area so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to at least one of dry and calcining synthetic gypsum, natural gypsum or mixtures of synthetic gypsum and natural gypsum.
- Example 4 The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein the flow area is from 40 to 70 percent of the first area so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to at least one of dry and calcining synthetic gypsum having about 10 wt% surface moisture and about 20 wt% chemical bond moisture, natural gypsum having about 5% surface moisture and about 20 wt% chemical bond moisture or a mixture of synthetic gypsum and natural gypsum about 5 wt% to about 10 wt% surface moisture and about 20 wt% chemical bond moisture, while providing sufficient dwell time in the grinding area to produce a ground calcined product of a predetermined particle size.
- synthetic gypsum having about 10 wt% surface moisture and about 20 wt% chemical bond moisture
- natural gypsum having about 5% surface moisture and about 20 wt% chemical bond moisture
- a mixture of synthetic gypsum and natural gypsum about 5 wt% to about 10 wt% surface moisture and about 20
- Example 5 The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to at least one of dry and calcining the fine feed material having a particle size of less than 1 millimeter.
- Example 6 The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein the flow area is from 30 to 60 percent of the first area so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to remove moisture from the feed material comprising at least one of Kaolin clay, bentonite, limestone, pet coke and coal.
- Example 7 The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein the flow area is from 30 to 60 percent of the first area so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to remove moisture from the feed material having a moisture content of greater than 5 wt%, while providing sufficient grinding area to produce a ground dried product of a predetermined particle size.
- Example 8 The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein the flow area is from 30 to 60 percent of the first area so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to remove moisture from the feed material having a particle size of about 0.05 mm to about 50 mm.
- Example 9 The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein the radially outer surface of each of the rollers is convex and the grinding surface of the grinding ring is concave.
- Example 10 The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein the radially outer surface of each of the rollers is substantially straight and the grinding surface of the grinding ring is substantially straight.
- Example 11 The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein the each of the rollers has a conical outer surface and the grinding surface of the grinding ring is sloped to receive the conical rollers.
- Example 12 The planetary roller mill of example 1, further comprising at least one wear member removably disposed between the roller and at least one of the first support plate and the second support plate.
- Example 13 The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein the outlet of the air supply system is connected to a bottom portion of the opening of the grinding ring, beneath the plurality of rollers.
- Example 14 The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein the grinding assembly comprises a plow assembly rotatable with the shaft and configured to transport the feed material from below the grinding assembly to the plurality of rollers and grinding ring.
- Example 15 The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein the plow assembly is secured to the second support plate.
- Example 16 The planetary roller mill of example 1, further comprising: at least one additional support plate secured to the shaft, the at least one additional support plate being spaced axially apart from the first support plate and the second support plate; and an additional plurality of rollers mounted to and positioned between the at least one additional support plate and one of the first support plate and the second support plate, each of the additional plurality of rollers being configured to move between the first support plate, second support plate and the at least one additional support plate as a result of rotation of the shaft, each of the plurality of additional rollers having the radially outer surface that is in grinding communication with the grinding surface of the grinding rings.
- Example 17 The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein the grinding assembly is configured for grinding the feed material at grinding zone air temperature of at least 177 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Example 18 The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein the material feed supply comprises an outlet that extends through the vessel assembly into an interior area thereof and comprising a ramp secured to the inside surface and extending downwardly and radially inward relative to the outlet and at least partially between the outlet and the grinding ring.
- Example 19 The planetary roller mill of example 18, further comprising a cover positioned over the outlet and at least a portion of the ramp.
- Example 20 The planetary roller mill of example 18, further comprising a means for adjusting the vertical position of the rollers relative to the grinding ring.
- Example 21 The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein at least one of the first support plate and the second support plate have a central area and at least one lobe extending outwardly from the central area, the at least one lobe having an asymmetrical shape, the at least one lobe having an area for receiving a roller mounting pin, the area having a center point, the asymmetric shape comprising a trailing edge and a leading edge generally opposite the trailing edge, the trailing edge extends further away from the center point than does the leading edge.
- Example 22 The planetary roller mill of example 21, wherein: each of the plurality of rollers has at least one axial end; and the center point is positioned on the at least one lobe such that during rotation of the first support plate and the second support plate in a direction from the trailing edge to the leading edge, the at least one lobe covers at least a portion of the at least one axial end adjacent to the leading edge and the trailing edge.
- Example 23 A grinding mill for processing feed material, the grinding mill comprising: a vessel assembly mounted to a stationary frame and having an inside peripheral surface; a material feed supply in communication with an interior area of the vessel assembly via an outlet extending radially inward through the inside peripheral surface; a grinding assembly positioned in the vessel assembly, the grinding assembly comprising: a grinding surface; a plurality of grinding rollers rotatably mounted relative to the grinding surface, the plurality of rollers being configured to be in grinding communication with the grinding surface; and a ramp secured to the inside surface and extending downwardly and radially inward relative to the feed outlet and at least partially between the feed outlet and the grinding ring and being disposed radially outwardly from the grinding rollers.
- Example 24 The grinding mill of example 23, further comprising a cover positioned over the feed outlet and at least a portion of the ramp.
- Example 25 The grinding mill of example 24,wherein the cover comprises at least one of a front sloped wall and at least one side wall.
- Example 26 The grinding mill of example 24, wherein the cover is disposed radially outwardly from the grinding rollers.
- Example 27 The grinding mill of example 23, wherein the grinding assembly comprises one of: a planetary grinding roller and support plate assembly; and a pendulum grinding roller and support structure assembly.
- Example 28 A method of retrofitting a roller mill, the method comprising: providing a roller mill having a vessel assembly mounted to a stationary frame, a grinding assembly positioned in the vessel assembly, the grinding assembly comprising: a first grinding ring having a first opening extending therethrough, the first opening being defined by a first radially inward facing grinding surface and having a first area, the first grinding ring being in sealing engagement with the inside surface of the vessel assembly; a shaft rotatably mounted to the frame; a hub mounted to one end of the shaft; a plurality of arms extending from the hub; a plurality of journal assemblies, one of the plurality of journal assemblies being pivotally secured to each of the plurality of arms; a plurality of first rollers, one of the plurality of first rollers being rotatingly coupled to each journal assembly; removing the plurality of arms, the plurality of journal assemblies and the plurality of first rollers from the roller mill; providing a sleeve, a first support plate, a second support plate and a plurality of
- Example 29 The method of example 28, further comprising: providing a first plow assembly secured to the hub; removing the first plow assembly from the roller mill; providing at least one second plow assembly and securing the at least one second plow assembly to the second support plate.
- Example 30 The method of example 28, further comprising: removing the first grinding ring from the roller mill; providing a second grinding ring having the first opening defined by the first radially inward facing grinding surface and having the first area; and installing the second grinding ring in sealing engagement with the inside surface of the vessel assembly.
- Example 31 The method of example 30, further comprising: adjusting the vertical position of the rollers relative to the grinding ring.
- Example 32 A support plate for a planetary roller mill, the support plate comprising: a central area; at least one lobe extending radially outward from the central area, each of the at least one lobes having an asymmetrical shape and an area for receiving a roller mounting pin, the area having a center point, the asymmetric shape comprising a trailing edge and a leading edge generally opposite the trailing edge, the trailing edge extends further away from the center point than does the leading edge.
- Example 33 The support plate of example 32, wherein: the center point is positioned on the at least one lobe such that during rotation of the support plate in a direction from the trailing edge to the leading edge, the at least one lobe is configured to cover at least a portion of an axial end of a roller, adjacent to the leading edge and the trailing edge.
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Abstract
A grinding mill for processing feed material, the grinding mill comprising a vessel assembly (20) mounted to a stationary frame (21) and having an inside peripheral surface; a material feed supply (22) in communication with an interior area of the vessel assembly (20) via a feed outlet (22B) extending radially inward through the inside peripheral surface; a grinding assembly (30) positioned in the vessel assembly (20), the grinding assembly (30) comprising: a grinding surface (46); a plurality of grinding rollers (50) rotatably mounted relative to the grinding surface (46), the plurality of rollers (50) being configured to be in grinding communication with the grinding surface (46); and further comprising a cover (59) positioned over the feed outlet (22B); further comprising a ramp (49) secured to the inside peripheral surface and extending downwardly and radially inward relative to the feed outlet (22B), the ramp (49) is at least partially extending between the feed outlet (22B) and the grinding ring (32) and being disposed radially outwardly from the grinding rollers (50); and wherein the cover (59) is positioned over at least a portion of the ramp (49).
Description
- The present invention is directed to a roller mill for processing high moisture feed material and in particular is directed to a planetary roller mill having air flow through a grinding assembly positioned in the roller mill for grinding, drying and/or calcining the high moisture feed material.
- Grinding mills are used to crush and pulverize solid materials such as minerals, limestone, gypsum, phosphate rock, salt, coke and coal into small particles. A pendulum roller mill is one example of a typical grinding mill that can be used to crush and pulverize the solid materials. The grinding mills generally include a grinding section disposed inside a housing. The grinding mills can be mounted to a foundation. The grinding section can include a plurality of crushing members such as pendulum mounted rollers that moveably engage a grinding surface. The crushing members are in operable communication with a driver, such as a motor, which imparts a rotary motion on the crushing members. During operation of the grinding mill, pressurizing, gravitational or centrifugal forces drive the crushing members against the grinding surface. The crushing members pulverize the solid material against the grinding surface as a result of contact with the grinding surface.
- As illustrated in
FIG. 6 , a priorart pendulum mill 100 has astationary base assembly 110 that has agrinding mill assembly 180 positioned therein. Abottom portion 181 of the mill is secured to the base assembly bysuitable fasteners 181F. Thebase assembly 110 has an upperannular plate 110U and a lowerannular plate 110L that are spaced apart from and secured to one another by a plurality ofangled vanes 110V.Adjacent vanes 110V define conduits 132 (e.g., nozzles) configured to convey air to the grindingmill assembly 110. A wall 105 (e.g., a cylindrical vessel) surrounds thegrinding mill assembly 180 and is secured to thebase assembly 110. Thegrinding mill assembly 180 includes asupport shaft 182 rotationally supported by a bearinghousing 184. The bearinghousing 184 is secured to thebottom portion 181 of thependulum mill 100 withsuitable fasteners 185. One end of theshaft 182 is coupled to a drive unit (not shown) for rotating theshaft 182. An opposing end of theshaft 182 has ahub 186 mounted thereto. A plurality ofarms 187 extend from thehub 186. Each of thearms 187 pivotally support ajournal assembly 188 which has aroller 189 rotatingly coupled to an end thereof. - As shown in
FIG. 7 , thejournal assembly 188 includes ajournal head 188H having acollar 188C extending therefrom. Thecollar 188C has an inside surface defining a bore extending therethrough. The inside surface has a bushing 194A secured thereto. Thecollar 188C pivotally secures thatjournal assembly 188 to thearm 187 via ashaft 187P that extends from thearm 187. Theshaft 187P extends into the bore and slidingly engages an inside surface of the bushing 194A. Thebushing 194A is immersed in a lubricant, such as oil, that is contained in the bore by one or more seals (not shown). - As shown in
FIG. 7 , thejournal head 188H has a stepped bore extending therethrough. Thejournal assembly 188 includes ashaft 193 having a longitudinal axis X10. A portion of theshaft 193 extends into the stepped bore and thejournal head 188H is secured to theshaft 193 by a suitable fastener such as apin 197C. Anannular pocket 188P is formed between theshaft 193 and an inside surface defined by the stepped bore. - The
journal assembly 188 includes an annularupper housing 188U having an interior area. An upper portion of theupper housing 188U extends into theannular pocket 188P. A radially outer surface of theupper housing 188U has a plurality of circumferential extending grooves (e.g., three grooves) formed therein. The radially outer surface of theupper housing 188U and the inside surface defined by the stepped bore of thejournal head 188H, are radially spaced apart from one another by a gap G88R of a magnitude sufficient to allow rotation of theupper housing 188U relative to thejournal head 188H. The journal head 188H and theupper housing 188U are axially spaced apart from one another by an axial gap G88 of a magnitude sufficient to allow rotation of theupper housing 188U relative to thejournal head 188H. Alabyrinth seal 195 is disposed in each of the grooves to rotationally seal across the gap G88R. - As shown in
FIG. 7 , a firstflanged sleeve 194B extends into an inside surface of theupper housing 188U and is secured thereto by apin 197B. The first flangedsleeve 194B has an inside surface that is spaced apart from theshaft 193 by a gap G88B of a magnitude sufficient to allow rotation of theupper housing 188U relative to theshaft 193. Theupper housing 188U is restrained from axial downward movement by ashaft shoulder 193F that extends radially outward from theshaft 193. A thrust bearing 198 is positioned between theshoulder 193F and an interior shoulder of theupper housing 188H to support rotation of theupper housing 188H relative to theshaft 193. - As shown in
FIG. 7 , alower housing 188L is secured to theupper housing 188U by a plurality offasteners 196B. Thelower housing 188L has a second flangedsleeve 194C that extends into an inside surface of theupper housing 188U and is secured thereto by apin 197A. The second flangedsleeve 194C has an inside surface that is spaced apart from theshaft 193 by a gap G88C of a magnitude sufficient to allow rotation of thelower housing 188L relative to theshaft 193. Thelower housing 188L has a closed bottom end. Aroller 189 is disposed around thelower housing 188L and is secured thereto by afastener 196A. - The
roller 189, thelower housing 188L and theupper housing 188U are rotatable as a unit relative to theshaft 193. The gaps G88B and G88C are filled with a lubricant (e.g., oil or synthetic oil) between a low fill line LL and an upper fill line LU. Thelabyrinth seals 195 contain the oil in the gaps G88B and G88C and prevent debris from egressing therein. The use of the lubricant in the gaps G88B and G88C and between thepin 187P and thesleeve 194A imposes operational temperature limitations on the priorart pendulum mill 100 to protect the oil from degrading. For example, if a petroleum based oil is used, the temperature of thejournal assembly 188 would have to be limited to about 250 degrees Fahrenheit. If a synthetic oil were to be used, the temperature of thejournal assembly 188 would have to be limited to about 350 degrees Fahrenheit. - Such temperature constraints limit the prior
art pendulum mill 100 for grinding materials with less than 10 weight percent moisture because insufficient heat is available to dry the material to be ground. For example, when calcining gypsum (e.g., synthetic gypsum natural gypsum or mixtures thereof), the outlet temperature required is around 325-350 degrees Fahrenheit, while the inlet temperature may be as high as 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature in the area of thejournal assembly 188 is typically higher than the outlet temperature by at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, the temperature of thejournal assembly 188 would be in excess of 450 degrees Fahrenheit, which is above a maximum operating temperature for any lubricant, including petroleum based oil and synthetic oil. Thus, the priorart pendulum mills 100 are not configured for grinding, calcining and drying feed materials such as gypsum that have high moisture (e.g., 5 to 10 weight percent (wt%) surface moisture and about 20 wt% chemical bond moisture). - Referring back to
FIG. 6 , theroller 189 rollingly engages a hardened inward facingsurface 129 of aring 122. Aplow assembly 190 is coupled to thehub 186 by aplow support 191. However, the journal assemblies 188 are quite heavy and thus require the speed at which theshaft 182, thehub 186, thearms 187, the journal assemblies 188 and therollers 189 rotate, to be maintained below a predetermined magnitude to prevent excessive vibrations and bouncing of thejournal assembly 188, which can damage the priorart pendulum mill 100. Priorart pendulum mills 100 tend to experience vibrations at high grinding speed that are required for grinding feed materials having a 40 to 80 micron size or less to produce a ground product of 25 to 35 microns. Therefore, the priorart pendulum mills 100 have speed limitations that prevent them from creating sufficient throughput, having ground particle sizes between 25 and 35 microns or finer. - During operation of the
pendulum mill 100, theshaft 182 rotates thehub 186 andarms 187 so that the journal assemblies 188 swing outwardly in a pendulum manner. Thus, therollers 189 are driven outwardly against the hardenedsurface 129 by centrifugal force. Material to be crushed or pulverized by the grindingmill assembly 110 is introduced into aninterior area 180A of thependulum mill 100 via a chute (not shown) from above the grindingmill assembly 180 and fed to theplow assembly 190 which projects the material to be crushed or pulverized back up into the area of therollers 189 and thering 122. Air is supplied to thependulum mill 100 through theconduits 132, as indicated by the arrows marked 192. The material is crushed between therollers 189 and thehardened surface 129 of thering 122. - As illustrated in
FIG. 8 , a prior artplanetary mill 200 for ultra-fine grinding has a grindingmill assembly 280 positioned therein. As used herein, the term "ultra-fine" refers to a material that is ground to a particle size range of d50<5 micron, where d50 is defined as average particle size by weight. An outer wall 205 (e.g., a cylindrical vessel) surrounds the grindingmill assembly 280. The grindingmill assembly 280 includes asupport shaft 282 rotationally supported by a bearinghousing 284. One end of theshaft 282 is coupled to a drive unit (not shown) for rotating theshaft 282. An opposing end of theshaft 282 has an upper plate (e.g., circular disc shaped plate) 286U and a lower plate (e.g., circular disc shaped plate) 286L spaced apart from one another and mounted to theshaft 282. A plurality of rollers 289 (e.g., six rollers shown inFIG. 9 ) are positioned between theupper plate 286U and thelower plate 286L in a planetary arrangement around theshaft 282. Each of therollers 289 is supported for rotation by apin 289P that extends through theroller 289 and is secured to theupper plate 286U and thelower plate 286L. Each of therollers 289 rollingly engages a hardened inward facingsurface 229 of aring 222. Theupper plate 286U and thelower plate 286L are concentric with thering 222. An outermost circumferential surface of each of theupper plate 286U and thelower plate 286L are spaced apart from the hardened inward facingsurface 229 of thering 222 by distances D1 and D2, respectively, thereby forming annular gaps G1 and G2, respectively. - As shown in
FIG. 9 , the inward facingsurface 229 of thering 222 has an inside diameter D5 that defines a cross sectional area A1. The annular gap G1 has an area A2 that is up to about 10 percent of the area A1. - Referring to
FIG. 8 , a distribution plate 291 (e.g., circular disc shaped plate) is mounted to theshaft 282 below alower edge 222E of thering 222 and is spaced apart from thelower edge 222E by a distance D3, thereby forming a gap G3. Thedistribution plate 291 has anupper surface 291U. - As shown in
FIG. 8 , anannular partition 205F is positioned inside of theouter wall 205 and is spaced apart therefrom by a distance D4, thereby forming an annular gap G4 between theouter wall 205 and thepartition 205F. A lower edge of thepartition 205F is positioned near the upper edge of thering 222. A radially outer surface of thering 222 is spaced apart from an inside surface of theouter wall 205 by a distance D6, thereby forming an annular gap G6 between theouter wall 205 and thering 222. - As shown in
FIG. 8 , aclassifier assembly 255 is rotatably mounted to anupper end 205U of theouter wall 205 by ashaft 255X. Theclassifier assembly 255 has a plurality of spaced apartvanes 255V mounted between opposing plates that are secured to theshaft 255X. An interior area defined by the vanes communicates with aduct 255D that discharges into to anoutlet duct 233. Anair inlet duct 211 is mounted to a lower portion of theouter wall 205 below the grindingmill assembly 280 and thedistribution plate 291. - During operation of the prior art
planetary mill 200 for ultra-fine grinding, material to be ground M1 is fed into an interior area defined by thepartition 205F and falls onto theupper plate 286U. The upper andlower plates shaft 282. The rotation of the upper andlower plates rollers 289 to move radially outward from theshaft 282 and thepin 289P thereby rotatingly engaging the inward facingsurface 229 of thering 222. The material to be ground M1 is distributed radially outward on the upper plate by centrifugal force. The material to be ground falls into the gap G1 and is ground into a ground material M2 between therollers 289 and the inward facingsurface 229 of thering 222. The ground material M2 falls onto theupper surface 291U of thedistribution plate 291 and is discharged into the gap G6 between theouter wall 205 and thering 222. - Air is supplied to the
inlet duct 211, as indicated by the arrows F1, which communicates with the gap G6 between theouter wall 205 and thering 222, essentially bypassing the grindingassembly 280. The gaps G1, G2 and G3 are minimized to minimize air flow through the grinding assembly, minimize the flow-through velocity in the grinding assembly and to increase retention time, of the material to be ground M1, in the grindingassembly 280 so that ground material M2 is ground into an ultra-fine state. The absence of air flow at high velocities through the grindingassembly 280 limits the use of the prior artplanetary mill 200 to grinding materials with less than 5 weight percent moisture because insufficient air flow is available for drying the material to be ground. The air entrains the ground material M2 through the gap G6 and further through the gap G4 between theouter wall 205 and thepartition 205F. The air conveys the ground material M2 into theclassifier assembly 255 as indicated by the arrows F3. Theclassifier assembly 255 discharges the ground material M2 in the ultra-fine state via theoutlet duct 233 and returns larger, not fully ground, material M3 back into the grindingassembly 280. -
U.S Patent No. 3,027,103 discloses a grinding mill for comminuting solid material and having pressure responsive means for varying the pressure of grinding rollers against the inner face of a grinding ring, such that any movement of the rollers is due to admitting fluid under pressure to a pressure chamber so as to force pistons radially outward against the yokes and thus increase the grinding pressure of the rollers against the grinding ring. However,U.S Patent No. 3,027,103 does not disclose or suggest that the radially outward movement of each of the plurality of rollers as a result of rotation of the shaft. -
U.S Patent No. 3,027,103 further discloses yokes that are mounted in arcuately spaced relation on spiders which are splined or otherwise secured on a shaft above the bearing support for rotation of the yokes with the shaft. The yokes have inward and outward radial movement with reference to the spiders on upper and lower cylindrical bars for each yoke.U.S. Patent No. 3,027,103 also discloses that a yoke is provided for each pair of rollers. The rollers are mounted on a yoke and each of the yokes include upper and lower arms that are connected together by a vertical web. The yokes are arranged in oppositely spaced relation and have inward and outward radial movement with reference to upper and lower cylindrical blocks which are splined or otherwise affixed to a rotatably mounted shaft. However,U.S Patent No. 3,027,103 does not disclose or suggest any support plates for the rollers that are attached to the shaft. - As shown in
FIG. 10 ,U.S. Patent No. 1,609,529 is directed to a pulverizingmachine 300 that hasmaterial feed 301 through acircumferential inlet 302 extending through a grindingring 303 to produce a talc. After the talc has been pulverized, the talc is drawn out from between therolls 350 by means of an exhaust fan. The pulverizingmachine 300 disclosed inU.S. Patent No. 1,609,529 includes aside wall 314 that has an opening that limits the size of the flow area FA proximate the outlet of the pulverizing machine. - Based on the foregoing, there is a need for an improved roller mill that is configured to dry and grind feed material with high moisture content.
- There is disclosed herein a planetary roller mill for processing a feed material such as Kaolin clay, bentonite, limestone, pet coke, coal, synthetic gypsum, natural gypsum and mixtures of synthetic and natural gypsum. The planetary roller mill includes a grinding assembly that is configured for grinding the feed material at a grinding zone air temperature of at least 177 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit). Such high air temperatures can be accommodated because no lubricant is required for the rollers, as described herein. The planetary roller mill includes a vessel assembly mounted to a stationary frame. The vessel assembly has an inside surface and a material feed supply in communication with the vessel assembly. A grinding assembly is positioned in the vessel assembly below the material feed supply. The grinding assembly includes an annular grinding ring that has an opening extending therethrough. The opening is defined by a radially inward facing grinding surface and has a first area. The grinding ring is in sealing engagement with the inside surface of the vessel assembly. The grinding assembly includes a shaft rotatably mounted to the frame. A first support plate secured to the shaft and has a first axially facing surface defining a second area. A second support plate is also secured to the shaft and has a second axially facing surface defining a third area. The second support plate is spaced axially apart from the first support plate. A plurality of rollers is rotatably mounted to and positioned between the first support plate and the second support plate. Each of the plurality of rollers is configured to move between the first support plate and the second support plate as a result of rotation of the shaft. Each of the plurality of rollers has a radially outer surface that is in grinding communication with the grinding surface of the grinding ring, for example, the outer surface rollingly engages the grinding surface of the grinding ring or the outer surface is in sufficient proximity to the grinding surface of the grinding ring to effectuate grinding. The planetary roller mill has an air supply system that has an outlet that is in communication with the opening in the grinding ring for supplying air through the opening. For example, in one embodiment the outlet of the air supply system is connected to a bottom portion of the opening of the grinding ring, beneath the plurality of rollers. The first support plate and the second support plate are of a non-circular shape such that the second area of the first support plate and the third area of the second support plate are of magnitudes which configure a flow area through the opening of at least 30 percent of the first area to provide a predetermined quantity of heated air to remove moisture from the feed material in the grinding assembly.
- In one embodiment, the each of the plurality of rollers has a bore axially extending therethrough. The bore has an inside diameter. Each of the plurality of rollers is mounted on a pin secured to and extending between the first plate and the second plate. The pin has an outside diameter that is less than the inside diameter of the bore.
- In one embodiment, the flow area is from 40 to 70 percent of the first area so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to dry and/or calcining synthetic, natural gypsum or a mixture thereof.
- In one embodiment, the flow area is from 40 to 50 percent of the first area so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to dry and calcining synthetic, natural gypsum or a mixture thereof.
- In one embodiment, the flow area is from 40 to 70 percent of the first area so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to dry and/or calcining synthetic gypsum having about 10 wt% surface moisture and about 20 wt% chemical bond moisture, natural gypsum having about 5% surface moisture and about 20 wt% bond moisture or a mixture of synthetic gypsum and natural gypsum about 5 wt% to about 10 wt% surface moisture and about 20 wt% chemical bond moisture, while providing sufficient dwell time in the grinding area to produce a ground calcined product of a predetermined particle size.
- In one embodiment, the flow area is from 40 to 50 percent of the first area so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to dry and/or calcining synthetic gypsum having about 10 wt% surface moisture and about 20 wt% chemical bond moisture, natural gypsum having about 5% surface moisture and about 20 wt% chemical bond moisture or a mixture of synthetic gypsum and natural gypsum about 5 wt% to about 10 wt% surface moisture and about 20 wt% chemical bond moisture, while providing sufficient dwell time in the grinding area to produce a ground calcined product of a predetermined particle size.
- In one embodiment, the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to dry and/or calcining the feed material having a particle size of less than 1 millimeter.
- In one embodiment, the flow area is from 30 to 60 percent of the first area so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to remove moisture from a feed material such as of Kaolin clay, bentonite, limestone, pet coke and/or coal.
- In one embodiment, the flow area is from 30 to 60 percent of the first area so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to remove moisture from the feed material having a moisture content of greater than 5 wt%, while providing sufficient grinding area to produce a ground dried product of a predetermined particle size.
- In one embodiment, the flow area is from 30 to 60 percent of the first area so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to remove moisture from a feed material having a particle size of about 0.05 to about 50 mm.
- In one embodiment, the flow area is from 30 to 40 percent of the first area so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to remove moisture from a feed material such as of Kaolin clay, bentonite, limestone, pet coke and/or coal.
- In one embodiment, the flow area is from 30 to 40 percent of the first area so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to remove moisture from the feed material having a moisture content of greater than 5 wt%, while providing sufficient grinding area to produce a ground dried product of a predetermined particle size.
- In one embodiment, the flow area is from 30 to 40 percent of the first area so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to remove moisture from a feed material having a particle size of about 0.05 to about 50 mm.
- In one embodiment, the radially outer surface of each of the rollers is convex and the grinding surface of the grinding ring is concave. However, in another embodiment, the radially outer surface of each of the rollers is substantially straight and the grinding surface of the grinding ring is substantially straight. In one embodiment, each of the rollers has a conical outer surface and the grinding surface of the grinding ring is sloped to receive the conical rollers.
- In one embodiment, the grinding assembly includes a plow assembly that is rotatable with the shaft and is configured to transport the feed material from below the grinding assembly to the plurality of rollers and grinding ring.
- In another embodiment, the planetary roller mill includes one or more additional support plates that are secured to the shaft. The additional support plates are spaced axially apart from the first support plate and the second support plate. An additional plurality of rollers is mounted to and positioned between the one of the additional support plates and the first support plate or the second support plate. Each of the additional plurality of rollers is configured to move between the first support plate, the second support plate and the additional support plate as a result of rotation of the shaft. Each of the plurality of additional rollers has the radially outer surface that is in grinding communication with the grinding surface of the grinding ring.
- In one embodiment, the grinding assembly is configured for grinding the feed material at a grinding zone air temperature of at least 177 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit).
- In one embodiment, no lubricant is disposed in a bore defined by each of the plurality of rollers.
- In one embodiment, the material feed supply includes an outlet that extends through the vessel assembly into an interior area thereof. A ramp is secured to the inside surface and extends downwardly and radially inward relative to the outlet and at least partially between the outlet and the grinding ring. In one embodiment, a cover is positioned over the outlet and at least a portion of the ramp.
- In one embodiment, the roller mill includes means for adjusting (e.g., a shim stack) the vertical position of the rollers relative to the grinding ring.
- In one embodiment, the first support plate and/or the second support plate have a central area and one or more lobes extending outwardly from the central area. The lobes that have an asymmetrical shape. The lobes each have an area (e.g., an opening, a recess, or surface) for receiving a roller mounting pin. The area has a center point. The asymmetric shape includes a trailing edge and a leading edge generally opposite the trailing edge. The trailing edge extends further away from the center point, than does the leading edge.
- In one embodiment, each of the plurality of rollers has an axial end. The center point is positioned on the lobe such that during rotation of the first support plate and the second support plate in a direction from the trailing edge to the leading edge, the lobe covers at least a portion of the axial end of the roller adjacent to the leading edge and the trailing edge.
- There is disclosed herein a grinding mill for processing feed material. The grinding mill includes a vessel assembly mounted to a stationary frame and having an inside peripheral surface. The grinding mill includes a material feed supply that is in communication with an interior area of the vessel assembly via an outlet extending radially inward through the inside peripheral surface. A grinding assembly (e.g., a pendulum configuration or a planetary configuration) is positioned in the vessel assembly. The grinding assembly includes an annular grinding ring that has a radially inwardly facing grinding surface. A shaft is rotatably mounted to the frame, for example via a bearing assembly. The plurality of rollers are configured to be in grinding communication with the grinding surface. A ramp is secured to the inside surface and extends downwardly and radially inward relative to the outlet and at least partially between the outlet and the grinding ring. In one embodiment, a bottom portion of the ramp terminates radially outward in an inner radial edge (e.g., portion of the grinding surface) of the grinding ring and disposed radially outwardly from the grinding rollers.
- In one embodiment, a cover is positioned (e.g., mounted by welding or with mechanical fasteners) over the outlet and at least a portion of the ramp. In one embodiment, the cover includes one or more side plates or walls and one or more front plates (e.g., sloped, horizontal and/or vertical plates or walls). In one embodiment, the cover is positioned radially outwardly from the grinding rollers. In one embodiment, a portion of the cover extend radially inward of the grinding ring. The grinding assembly may be a planetary configuration having grinding rollers disposed between support plates in a planetary configuration (see, for example,
FIGS. 1A and1B ). The grinding assembly may be a pendulum type having grinding rollers supported via a pendulum configuration (see, for example,FIGS. 6 and7 ). - In one embodiment, a support structure (e.g., spider plate, a hub, support plates, support arms, gussets and combinations thereof) is secured to the shaft. In one embodiment, a plurality of rollers is rotatably mounted to the support structure in a pendulum or planetary configuration. In one embodiment, the grinding mill is either a planetary roller mill or a pendulum mill.
- There is further disclosed herein a method of retrofitting a roller mill such as a pendulum mill. The method includes providing a roller mill that has a vessel assembly mounted to a stationary frame and a grinding assembly positioned in the vessel assembly. The grinding assembly includes a first grinding ring that has a first opening extending therethrough. The first opening is defined by a first radially inward facing grinding surface and has a first area. The first grinding ring is in sealing engagement with the inside surface of the vessel assembly. A shaft is rotatably mounted to the frame. A hub is mounted to one end of the shaft, for example via a key and keyway configuration. A plurality of arms (e.g., spider plates) extend from the hub. The grinding assembly includes a plurality of journal assemblies. One of the plurality of journal assemblies is pivotally secured to each of the plurality of arms. The grinding assembly includes a plurality of first rollers. One of the plurality of first rollers is rotatingly coupled to each journal assembly. The method of retrofitting the roller mill includes removing the plurality of arms, the plurality of journal assemblies and the plurality of first rollers from the roller mill. The method includes providing a sleeve, a first support plate, a second support plate and a plurality of second rollers. The sleeve is positioned over the shaft and the sleeve is secured to the shaft via the hub. The method includes securing the first support plate to the sleeve. The first support plate has a first axially facing surface that defines a second area. The method includes securing the second support plate to the sleeve. The second support plate has a second axially facing surface that defines a third area. The second support plate is spaced axially apart from the first support plate. The method includes rotatably mounting the plurality of second rollers to and between the first support plate and the second support plate so that each of the plurality of rollers is configured to move radially outward relative to the shaft as a result of rotation of the shaft and/or move between the first and second support plate. Each of the plurality of rollers have a radially outer surface. The first support plate and the second support plate are of a non-circular shape such that the second area of the first support plate and the third area of the second support plate are of magnitudes which configure a flow area through the first opening of at least 30 percent of the first area to provide a predetermined quantity of heated air to remove moisture from the feed material in the grinding assembly.
- In one embodiment, the method includes providing a first plow assembly secured to the hub. The first plow assembly is removed from the roller mill. The method includes providing one or more second plow assemblies and securing the second plow assembly or assemblies to a bottom portion of the second support plate.
- In one embodiment, the method includes removing the first grinding ring from the roller mill. A second grinding ring is provided. The second grinding ring has the first opening defined by the first radially inward facing grinding surface and having the first area. The first area of the first and second grinding rings may be of equal or different magnitudes. The method includes installing the second grinding ring in the roller mill.
- In one embodiment, the method includes installing the second grinding ring in sealing engagement with the inside surface of the vessel assembly.
- In one embodiment, the method includes adjusting the vertical position of the rollers relative to the grinding ring, for example, with the use of a shim stack.
- There is further disclosed herein a support plate for a planetary roller mill. The support plate includes a central area that has a center of rotation and one or more lobes extending radially outward from the central area. Each of the lobes has an asymmetrical shape. Each of the lobes has an area (e.g., a recess, an opening or a surface) for receiving a roller mounting pin. The area has a center point. The asymmetric shape includes a trailing edge and a leading edge generally opposite the trailing edge. The trailing edge extends further away from the center point than does the leading edge.
- In one embodiment, the center point is positioned on the lobe such that during rotation of the support plate in a direction from the trailing edge to the leading edge, the lobe is configured to cover at least a portion of an axial end of a roller, adjacent to the leading edge and the trailing edge.
-
-
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the planetary roller mill of the present invention with four contoured rollers; -
FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the planetary roller mill of the present invention with four straight rollers; -
FIG. 2A is a cross sectional view of the planetary roller mill ofFIG. 1A , taken acrossline 2A-2A; -
FIG. 2B is a cross sectional view of the planetary roller mill ofFIG. 1B , taken acrossline 2B-2B; -
FIG. 2C is a cross sectional view of a portion of a planetary roller mill with two layers of the contoured rollers; -
FIG. 2D is an enlarged cross sectional view of one of the rollers ofFIG. 2A taken acrossline 2D-2D; -
FIG. 2E is cross sectional view of another embodiment of the planetary roller mill of the present invention with contoured rollers, wear plates and an alternative plow mounting configuration; - 2F is cross sectional view of another embodiment of the planetary roller mill of the present invention with conical rollers, wear plates and an alternative plow mounting configuration;
-
FIG. 3A is a top view of an embodiment of the grinding assembly of the planetary roller mill of the present invention having three rollers; -
FIG. 3B is a top view of another embodiment of the grinding assembly of the planetary roller mill of the present invention having three rollers; -
FIG. 3C is a top view of another embodiment of the grinding assembly of the planetary roller mill ofFIG. 2A shown with asymmetric support and wear plates; -
FIG. 3D is an enlarged view of a wear plate for use on the support plates ofFIG. 3C ; -
FIG. 3E is an enlarged view of one of the rollers and lobes of the support plate ofFIG. 3D , shown in a neutral state; -
FIG. 3F is an enlarged view of one of the rollers and lobes of the support plate ofFIG. 3D , shown in a rotating state; -
FIG. 4A is a top view of an embodiment of the grinding assembly of the planetary roller mill of the present invention having six rollers; -
FIG. 4B is a top view of an embodiment of the grinding assembly of the planetary roller mill of the present invention having six rollers; -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the three roller embodiment of the planetary roller mill of the present invention; -
FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a prior art pendulum mill; -
FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross sectional view of one of the pendulum and roller assemblies ofFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a prior art planetary roller mill for ultra-fine grinding with air flow outside the grinding mill assembly; -
FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the planetary roller mill ofFIG. 8 taken across line 9-9; and -
FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of a prior art pulverizer mill; -
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an interior area of a prior art grinding mill; -
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an interior area of a grinding mill of the present invention shown with a ramp extending from the material feed chute; -
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the interior area of the grinding mill ofFIG. 12 shown with a cover installed over the chute; -
FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of the grinding mill ofFIG. 13 ; and -
FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a ramp and chute installed in the grinding mill ofFIG. 12 . - As shown in
FIG. 1A , a planetary roller mill (also referred to as "roller mill" herein) for processing (e.g., grinding, drying, and/or calcining) a feed material such as, but not limited to, synthetic gypsum, natural gypsum, mixtures of synthetic gypsum and natural gypsum, Kaolin clay, bentonite, limestone, pet coke and coal, is generally designated byelement number 10. Thus, theroller mill 10 has utility in removing moisture from the feed material in the grinding assembly. Theroller mill 10 includes avessel assembly 20 mounted to astationary frame 21. Thevessel assembly 20 is shown in a vertical orientation about an axis A10. Thevessel assembly 20 includes: 1) agrinding section 20A located at a bottom portion of the vessel assembly; 2) amaterial feed section 20B located axially above the grindingsection 20A; and 3) aclassifier housing 20C located axially above thefeed section 20B. Amaterial feed apparatus 22 is in communication with and secured to thematerial feed section 20B. Thematerial feed apparatus 22 has aninlet 22A for receiving material to be supplied thereto; and anoutlet 22B for supplying the feed material to thefeed section 20B. Theoutlet 22B of thematerial feed apparatus 22 is positioned axially above the grindingsection 20A such that the feed material enters the grindingsection 20A axially above therollers 50 and above an axialupper edge 32X of a grindingring 32. Aturbine classifier 40 is rotationally mounted to a top portion of thevessel assembly 20 via ashaft 40A that is coupled to adrive assembly 40B for rotation of theshaft 40A and theturbine classifier 40. Theturbine classifier 40 is in communication with anoutlet 41 of thevessel assembly 20. Theturbine classifier 40 allows properly ground material to be discharged through theoutlet 41 while returning material that requires additional grinding, back to the grindingsection 20A. While theturbine classifier 40 is shown and described, the present invention is not limited in this regard as other classifiers may be employed including but not limited to the whizzer separator shown and described inU.S. Patent No. 2,108,609 that issued on February 15, 1938 to R. F. O'Mara and also described in PCT Application No.PCT/US2017/23560 , with reference toFIGS. 2 and3 contained therein. - As shown in
FIG. 11 , theoutlet 22B in thefeed section 20B provides a communication between thematerial feed apparatus 22 and theoutlet 22B that extends to aninside surface 20D of the of thevessel assembly 20. Material fed by thematerial feed apparatus 22 travels through theoutlet 22B and falls, with the assistance of the force of gravity, onto the axialupper edge 32X of the grindingring 32, as indicated by the arrow R20. A portion of the material to be ground (e.g., larger and/or heavier particles) can fall off of the axialupper edge 32X into the grindingsection 20A, as indicated by the arrow R21. However, smaller particles and fines (e.g., synthetic gypsum and limestone) can be drawn away from the grindingsection 20A by an updraft of air as indicated by thearrow 51A, thereby bypassing the grindingsection 20A. - As shown in
FIGS. 12 and14 , aramp 49 extends from abottom edge 22X of theoutlet 22B and slopes downwardly and radially inward to the axialupper edge 32X of the grindingring 32 of a planetary type roller mill, such as those shown inFIGS. 1A and1B . While theramp 49 is shown and described as being employed with the planetary type roller mill, theramp 49 may also be employed in a pendulum type roller mill, such as those shown inFIGS. 6 and7 . In one embodiment, theramp 49 may be employed in any type of grinding mill. In one embodiment, anupper end 49U of theramp 49 is secured to theinside surface 20D of the of thevessel assembly 20 by aweld 22W, for example, theweld 22W located at the bottom edge of theoutlet 22B. In one embodiment, abottom end 49B of theramp 49 rests on the axialupper edge 32X of the grindingring 32. In one embodiment, theramp 49, including thebottom end 49B andupper end 49U, is positioned radially outward of an inner radial edge (e.g., proximate the grinding surface 46) of the grindingring 32. While thewelds 22W and 32W are shown and described as securing theramp 49 to theinside surface 20D and the axialupper edge 32X of the grindingring 32, the present invention is not limited in this regard as other configurations may be employed including but not limited to the use of mechanical fasteners, a ramp integrally formed with theinside surface 20D or the grindingring 32, theramp 49 can be spaced apart from the grindingring 32 and/or theramp 49 can be secured to theinside surface 20D and/or the grindingring 32 with one or more brackets, fixtures or covers. As shown inFIG. 14 , thebottom end 49B of theramp 49 terminates a distance G30 from an edge of the grindingsurface 46. The distance G30 is determined based upon a maximum allowable wear of the grindingring 32. - As shown in
FIGS. 13 and14 , acover 59 is positioned over theramp 49 and theoutlet 22B. Thecover 59 includes a rampedsurface 59F supported by opposing triangular shapedside walls 59E. The rampedsurface 59F slopes downward and radially inward from anupper edge 59U thereof. The rampedsurface 59F terminates at abottom edge 59B of thecover 59. In one embodiment, thebottom edge 59B terminates a distance G33 above the axialupper edge 32X of the grindingring 32. In one embodiment, the distance G33 is zero and the bottom edge terminates at a horizontal plane that is coplanar with the axialupper edge 32X of the grindingring 32. Thebottom edge 59B of thecover 59 extends radially inward from the grindingsurface 46 by a distance G31 to allow ample area for discharge of the material to be ground. While thebottom edge 59B of thecover 59 is shown and described as extending radially inward from the grindingsurface 46, the present invention is not limited in this regard as thebottom edge 59B of thecover 59 may terminate radially outward from the grindingsurface 46. - The Applicant has discovered that while covers and ramps are generally not needed in configurations (e.g., planetary grinding mills and pendulum grinding mills) where the grinding area is directly below the outlet of the material feed, that the
cover 59 illustrated inFIGS. 13 and14 is aerodynamic, minimizes disruption to the air flow, and has utility for grinding and drying fine feed materials such as synthetic gypsum and limestone. The Applicant has discovered that use of theramp 49 and thecover 59 cooperate to provide a direct and unobstructed flow path R22 between theoutlet 22B and the grindingarea 20A for the material to be ground. Theramp 49 and thecover 59 allow the material to be ground to travel more quickly from theoutlet 22B to the grindingsection 20A, compared to a configuration as shown inFIG. 11 that has no ramp or cover. The Applicant has further discovered that use of theramp 49 and thecover 59 cooperate to reduce the quantity of material carried away by theupdraft 51A, thereby increasing the percentage of material discharged through theoutlet 22B that enters the grindingsection 20A, compared to a configuration as shown inFIG. 11 that has no ramp or cover. -
FIG. 15 illustrates another embodiment of aramp 49' and cover 59' that results in a greater interior area compared to that created by theramp 49 and cover 59 configuration ofFIGS. 12 and14 . Theramp 49' has anupper edge 49U' that is secured to theinside wall 20B at a position between thebottom edge 22X of theoutlet 22B and the axialupper edge 32X of the grindingring 32. Thebottom edge 49B' is configured similar to thebottom edge 49B of theramp 49 and is secured to the axialupper edge 32X of the grindingring 32 and/or theinside surface 20B similar to the described for thebottom edge 49B shown inFIG. 14 . The cover 59' includes a rampedsurface 59F' that extends downward and radially inward from anupper edge 59U' thereof. The rampedsurface 59F' transitions into avertical surface 59G'. Thevertical surface 59G' terminates at abottom edge 59B' of the cover 59'. In one embodiment, thebottom edge 59B' terminates a distance G33 above the axialupper edge 32X of the grindingring 32. In one embodiment, the distance G33 is zero and the bottom edge terminates at a horizontal plane that is coplanar with the axialupper edge 32X of the grindingring 32. Thebottom edge 59B extends radially inward from the grindingsurface 46 by a distance G31 to allow ample area for discharge of the material to be ground. - The Applicant has discovered that the cover 59' illustrated in
FIG. 15 , is aerodynamic, minimizes disruption to the air flow, and has utility for fine grinding limestone with fine feed sizes. The Applicant has discovered that use of theramp 49' and the cover 59' cooperate to provide a direct and unobstructed flow path R22 between theoutlet 22B and the grindingarea 20A for the material to be ground. Theramp 49' and the cover 59' allow the material to be ground to travel more quickly from theoutlet 22B to the grinding area, compared to a configuration as shown inFIG. 11 that has no ramp or cover. The Applicant has further discovered that use of theramp 49' and the cover 59' cooperate to reduce the quantity of material carried away by theupdraft 51A (see e.g.,FIG. 13 ), thereby increasing the percentage of material discharged through theoutlet 22B that enters the grindingarea 20A, compared to a configuration as shown inFIG. 11 that has no ramp or cover. - In one embodiment, the
ramp cover 59 or 59' to create an integral one piece ramp and cover assembly. In one embodiment, theside walls cover 59 or 59'. In one embodiment, theside walls cover 59 or 59'; theramp inside wall 20B. For example, in one embodiment, clamps and lugs are secured to theinside wall 20B and the flange slides into the clamps and thecover 59 or 59' seat on the lugs so that thecover 59 or 59' and/or theramp inside wall 20B and located at a predetermined position from the grindingring 32. - The Applicant has discovered that the
ramps covers 59 and 59' can be employed in theplanetary roller mills 10 illustrated inFIGS. 1A ,1B ,2A-2F ,3A-3C ,4A, 4B ,5 as well as the pendulum mills ofFIGS. 6 and7 . They may also be used in any other configuration of grinding mill where fine feed raw material is to be gravity fed from an outlet port toward a grinding section. - As shown in
FIG. 1A , a grindingassembly 30 is positioned in the grindingsection 20A of thevessel assembly 20 below theoutlet 22B. The grindingassembly 30 includes theannular grinding ring 32 that is secured to theinside surface 20D of thevessel assembly 20 viasuitable fasteners 32F. The grindingring 32 has anoutside surface 32Q that is arranged in sealing engagement with theinside surface 33Y of asupport ring 33 of thevessel assembly 20. Thus, there is no annular gap between the grindingring 32 and thesupport ring 33 of the grindingsection 20A of thevessel assembly 20 for air to flow through and bypass the grindingassembly 30. In one embodiment, the grindingring 32 is a continuous annular ring with no circumferential openings or material feed inlets extending therethrough. A plurality ofvanes 34 are positioned between thesupport ring 33 and abase plate 36 that is secured to theframe 21. Thevanes 34 are positioned below the grindingassembly 30 and extend an angled length from a position radially outward from the grindingring 32 to a position radially inward from the grindingring 32. Thevanes 34 are positioned in a circumferential configuration around thesupport ring 33. Adjacent pairs of thevanes 34 define channels 35 (e.g., nozzles) therebetween for conveying heated air designated by thearrows 35A into the grindingassembly 30 at velocities and flow rates sufficient to dry and/or calcining the material to be ground, as described herein. - As shown in
FIG. 1A , thevessel assembly 20 includes anair supply manifold 45 that has aninlet 45A that extends into acircumferential duct 45B that surrounds and opens into the grindingsection 20A as described herein. In one embodiment, the outlet of theair supply manifold 45 is connected to a bottom portion of theopening 44 of the grindingring 32, axially beneath the plurality ofrollers 50. - As best shown in
FIGS. 3A and4A the grindingring 32 has anopening 44 extending therethrough from the axialupper edge 32X to an axiallower edge 32Y thereof. Theopening 44 is defined by a radially inward facing grindingsurface 46 and having a first area A1. The first area A1 is the area defined by the equation A1 = π/4 (D7)2, where D7 is the nominal inside diameter of the grindingring 32 measured at the radially inward facing grindingsurface 46. - Referring to
FIGS. 1A ,2A ,2E and2F , the grindingassembly 30 includes adrive shaft 39 rotatably mounted to theframe 21. Ahub 43 is secured to an upper portion of thedrive shaft 39 by a key connection (not shown). Thehub 43 includes aflange 43F on a lower end thereof. The grindingassembly 30 includes asleeve 43C that extends axially downward from anotherflange 43G. Ashim stack 43J is positioned between theflange 43F and theflange 43G. A plurality of fasteners secure theflanges gussets 47 are secured to and extend radially from thesleeve 43C. Theshim stack 43J includes a predetermined number of shims (e.g., annular discs, for example 0.0625 inches (1.5875 mm) thick). Variation of the number of shims in theshim stack 43J adjusts the vertical position of therollers 50 relative to the grindingring 32, as described herein. While theshim stack 43J is shown and described as being employed to adjust the vertical position of therollers 50 relative to the grindingring 32, the present invention is not limited in this regard as other means for adjusting therollers 50 relative to the grindingring 32 may be employed including but not limited to washers and jacking screws or indeed by appropriate sizing of parts determining the position of therollers 50 relative to the grindingring 32. - As shown in
FIGS. 1A ,2A ,2E and/or 2F, the grindingassembly 30 includes afirst support plate 52 secured to theshaft 39 via thehub 43, thesleeve 43C and thegussets 47. Thefirst support plate 52 has a firstaxially facing surface 52A defining a second area A2. Thefirst support plate 52 is of a generally non-circular shape configured to establish an optimum magnitude of the area A2. In one embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 3B and4B , the area A2' of thefirst support plate 52 is increased over the area A2 shown inFIGS. 3A and4A , by extending the area A2' outwardly to cover an entireaxial end 50Z of each of therollers 50, without reducing the flow area FA. Use of the increased area A2' reduces the contact pressure between theaxial end 50Z and the firstaxially facing surface 52A (i.e., underside) of each of thelobes 52L. While the area A2' of thefirst support plate 52 is shown and described as being increased, the present invention is not limited in this regard as the area of thesecond support plate 54 can be increased in a manner similar to that described for thefirst support plate 52. The Applicant has discovered that circular shaped support plates are not suitable to provide the optimum magnitude of the area A2. In one embodiment, as shown inFIG. 3A , thesupport plate 52 has acentral area 52C with threelobes 52L extending radially outwardly therefrom. WhileFIG. 3A illustrates thesupport plate 52 having threelobes 52L, the present invention is not limited in this regard as the support plate may have any number of lobes, for example, as shown inFIG. 4A , thesupport plate 52 has thecentral area 52C with sixlobes 52L extending radially outwardly therefrom. - As shown in
FIG. 1A ,2A ,2E and2F the grindingassembly 30 includes asecond support plate 54 secured to theshaft 39 via thehub 43, thesleeve 43C and thegussets 47. Thesecond support plate 54 has a secondaxially facing surface 54A defining a third area A3. Thesecond support plate 54 is of a generally non-circular shape configured to establish an optimum magnitude of the area A3. The Applicant has discovered that circular shaped support plates are not suitable to provide the optimum magnitude of the area A3. Thesecond support plate 54 is spaced axially apart from thefirst support plate 52 by a gap G10. Thesecond support plate 54 is configured in a shape similar to that shown (e.g.,FIGS. 3A, 3B ,4A and 4B ) and described for thefirst support plate 52. - As shown in
FIGS. 1A and2A , a plurality ofrollers 50 are rotatably mounted to and positioned between thefirst support plate 52 and thesecond support plate 54. Adding shims to theshim stack 43J causes thesleeve 43C, the first andsecond support plates rollers 50 to move vertically downward to vertically align therollers 50 in the grindingring 32. Reducing the number shims in theshim stack 43J causes thesleeve 43C, the first andsecond support plates rollers 50 to move vertically upward to vertically align therollers 50 in the grindingring 32. - As shown in
FIG. 2D , thefirst support plate 52 is shown in a cut away view to expose theaxial end 50Z of theroller 50. Each of the plurality ofrollers 50 is configured to move between the first andsecond support plates second support plates lines 50 version of the roller 50) as a result of rotation of theshaft 39 in the clockwise direction of the arrow R9. Each of the plurality ofrollers 50 has abore 50B extending axially therethrough. Thebore 50B has an inside diameter D50. Each of the plurality ofrollers 50 is mounted on apin 60 secured to and extending between thefirst support plate 52 and thesecond support plate 54 in the area of therespective lobe 52L (e.g.,FIGS. 3 and4 ). Referring back toFIG. 2D , thepin 60 has an outside diameter D60 that is less than the inside diameter D50 of thebore 50B. Each of the plurality of rollers has a radiallyouter surface 50X. Due to rotation of theshaft 39 in the clockwise direction R9, theroller 50 moves circumferentially backward towards a trailingedge 54T of thesecond support plate 54 and away from thepin 60 as shown by the arrow R1. As a result of the rotation of theshaft 39 theroller 50 moves between the first andsecond support plates roller 50 moves between thefirst support plate 52 and thesecond support plate 54 in the direction of the arrow R1 (seeFIG. 2D ) to the roller position indicated by the dashedlines 50 so that the radiallyouter surface 50X is in grinding communication with the grindingsurface 46 of the grindingring 32, for example, theouter surface 50X' rollingly engages the grindingsurface 46 of the grindingring 32 or theouter surface 50X' is in sufficient proximity to the grindingsurface 46 of the grindingring 32 to effectuate grinding. In one embodiment, as a result of the rotation of theshaft 39, theroller 50 is forced radially outward in the direction of the arrow R2 by centrifugal force to increase the contact pressure between theouter surface 50X of the roller and the grindingsurface 46. If theroller 50 encounters very large or abnormally hard chunks of material, theroller 50 may temporarily move radially inward in a direction opposite to the arrow R2. - As shown in
FIG. 2D , when theshaft 39 is not rotating, the roller may attain a neutral state wherein thebore 50B is centered around thepin 60. In the neutral state the radiallyouter surface 50X of theroller 50 is equidistant from lateral edges of thelobes shaft 39 rotates in the direction of the arrow R9, theroller 50 moves in the general direction of the arrow R1. As a result, the radiallyouter surface 50X of theroller 50 is asymmetrically spaced from the lateral edges (i.e., the leadingedge 54U and trailingedges 54T) of thelobes 54L, as indicated by the unequal distances D12 and D13. Since D13 is greater that D12, a lesser area of the secondaxially facing surface 54A slidingly engages theaxial end 50Y (seeFIG. 2E , for example) of theroller 50, compared to the neutral position. This results in higher contact pressures and increased wear during operation when theshaft 39 is rotating, compared to a configuration in which a greater percentage of the area of the secondaxially facing surface 54A slidingly engages theaxial end 50Y of theroller 50. While the asymmetric spacing of the lateral edges (i.e., the leadingedge 54U and trailingedges 54T) of thelobes 54L relative to the radiallyouter surface 50X of theroller 50 is shown to decrease the contact area between the secondaxially facing surface 54A and theaxial end 50Y of theroller 50 as shown and described, a similar configuration exists between theaxial end 50X of theroller 50 and the firstaxially facing surface 52A. - As shown in
FIG. 3C , thesupport plate 152 is similar to the first andsecond support plates FIGS. 3A and 3B , thus similar elements of thefirst support plate 52 are designated with similar element numbers preceded by the numeral 1. Therollers 50 shown inFIG. 3C are contoured with convex exterior surfaces 50X, similar to therollers 50 shown inFIG.2E . - As shown in
FIG. 3C , the area A2" of thefirst support plate 152 is increased over the area A2 shown inFIG. 3A , by extending the area A2" asymmetrically outwardly to cover a portion of (i.e., less than the area A2' shown inFIG. 3B and greater than the area A2 ofFIG. 3A ) theaxial end 50Z of each of therollers 50, without reducing the flow area FA. Use of the increased area A2" reduces the contact pressure between theaxial end 50Z and the firstaxially facing surface 152A of each of thelobes 152L, as described herein. - As shown in
FIG. 3C , the direction of rotation of theshaft 39, thefirst support plate 152 and the second support plate 154 (only a portion of thesecond support plate 154 is shown under the cut away portion of the first support plate 152) is clockwise, relative to thestationary grinding ring 32, is indicated by the arrow R9. Thefirst support plate 152 has acentral area 152C that defines a center of rotation about the axis A10. Threelobes 152L extend radially outward from thecentral area 152C. As shown inFIGS. 3E and3F , each of thelobes 152L has an asymmetrical shape and anarea 152Q (e.g., a recess, an opening or surface) for receiving aroller mounting pin 60. The area for receiving theroller mounting pin 60 has acenter point 60P. The asymmetric shape of thelobes 152L is defined by a trailingedge 152T and aleading edge 152U, generally opposite the trailingedge 152T. The trailingedge 152T extends further away from thecenter point 60P than does the leadingedge 152U. For example, as shown inFIG. 3E , the trailingedge 152T extends away from thecenter point 60P a distance D21 and theleading edge 152U extends away from thecenter point 60P by a distance D20. The distance D21 is greater than the distance D20. - As shown in
FIGS. 3E and3F , thelobe 152L has astraight section 152V that transitions at transition point R12 to the trailingedge 152T. The trailingedge 152T transitions into theleading edge 152U which transitions into astraight section 152W at transition point R13. The trailingedge 152T and theleading edge 152U have has a radius of curvature R15 measured from acenter point 152P of thelobe 152L. The transition point R12 is located at about a 10 o'clock to 11 o'clock position; and the transition point R13 is located at about a 7 o'clock position. - As shown in
FIG. 3F , thecenter point 60P is positioned on thelobe 152L such that during rotation of the support plate in a direction from the trailingedge 152T to theleading edge 152 U (i.e., in the direction of the arrow R9), thelobe 152L is configured to cover at least a portion of theaxial end 50Z of theroller 50, adjacent to theleading edge 152U and the trailingedge 152T, thereby leaving thearcuate segment 157A of theaxial end 50Z uncovered. As shown inFIG. 3F , theuncovered segment 157A extends around thelobe 152L from the transition point R12 to the transition point R13 at a substantially uniform width W57 between an edge of theaxial end 50Z of theroller 50 and a transition 50ZZ to theexterior surface 50Z of theroller 50. Thus, as shown inFIG. 3F thelobe 152L covers a portion of theaxial end 50Z adjacent to theleading edge 152U and the trailingedge 152T. - As shown in
FIG. 3E , thecenter point 60P is positioned on thelobe 152L such that in a neutral state with thecenter point 60P positioned coaxially with theaxial center line 50P of theroller 50. Thelobe 152L is configured to cover at least a portion of theaxial end 50Z of theroller 50, adjacent to theleading edge 152U but none or less of theaxial end 50Z adjacent to the trailingedge 152T, thereby leaving thearcuate segment 157B of theaxial end 50Z, uncovered. As shown inFIG. 3E , the uncoveredarcuate segment 157B extends around the leadingedge 152U of thelobe 152L a non-uniform width W56 between an edge of theaxial end 50Z of theroller 50 and a transition 50ZZ to theexterior surface 50Z of theroller 50. Thus, as shown inFIG. 3E thelobe 152L covers a portion of theaxial end 50Z adjacent to theleading edge 152U. As shown inFIG. 3F , in the rotating state, theroller 50 moves in the direction of the arrow R1 and anuncovered segment 157A extends around the leadingedge 152U and trailingedge 152T of thelobe 152L a uniform width W57 between an edge of theaxial end 50Z of theroller 50 and a transition 50ZZ to theexterior surface 50Z of theroller 50. - The Applicant has discovered that use of the asymmetric shape of the
lobe 152L disclosed herein allows thebore 50B to wear radially outward while maintaining theaxial end 50Z of theroller 50 partially covered. This is because as the wear occurs and theroller 50 migrates further away from the trailingedge 152T, the greater distance D21 that the trailingedge 152T extends away from thecenter point 60P compared to the distance D22, thelobe 152L maintains greater coverage of theaxial end 50Z, compared to thelobes 52L shown inFIG. 3A . - While the
asymmetric lobes 152L are shown and described for thefirst support plate 152, similar asymmetric lobes may be employed for thesecond support plate 154. - As shown in
FIG. 3D , wearplates wear plates FIGS. 2E and2F , except that thewear plates lobes 152L described herein with reference toFIGS. 3C ,3E and3F . Thewear plates section 20A similar to that shown and described herein with reference toFIGS. 2E and2F for thewear plates wear plates wear plates holes 171H extending there through for receivingfasteners 69F that are threaded into the respective first and/orsecond support plates wear plates wear members first support plate 52 and thesecond support plate 54, by employing thefasteners 69F proximate a radially inward edge thereof while employing spot welds on a radially outer edge thereof. - As shown in
FIG. 1A , theair supply manifold 45 has an outlet in the form of thecircumferential duct 45B that is in communication with theopening 44 in the grindingring 32 for supplying heated air through theopening 44 at a velocity and flow rate sufficient for drying and calcining the moist material to be ground. As shown inFIGS. 1A ,1B ,2A , and2B , the heated air flows upward through the grindingsection 20A and thefeed section 20B as indicated by thearrows 51A. The feed material flows in a generally downward direction from thefeed outlet 22B in the general direction of thearrows 51F and generally opposite to the direction indicated by thearrows 51A. - As shown in
FIGS. 2E and2F afirst wear member 69A (e.g., a plate) is removably secured to an firstaxially facing surface 52A of each of thelobes 52L of thefirst support plate 52 bysuitable fasteners 69F. Thefirst wear member 69A is manufactured from a heat treated alloy steel that has a hardness of about 500-600 BHN. Anaxial end 50Z of theroller 50 slidingly engages thefirst wear member 69A. Each of thefirst wear members 69A has a shape that is complementary to the shape of a portion of thelobe 52L. - As shown in
FIGS. 2E and2F , asecond wear member 69B (e.g., a plate) is removably secured to secondaxially facing surface 54A (i.e., upper side) of each of thelobes 54L of thesecond support plate 54 bysuitable fasteners 69F. Thesecond wear member 69B is manufactured from a heat treated alloy steel that has a hardness of about 500-600 BHN. Anaxial end 50Y of theroller 50 slidingly engages and is seated on thesecond wear member 69B. Each of thesecond wear members 69B has a shape that is complementary to the shape of a portion of thelobe 52L. In one embodiment, thewear members 69A and/or 69B are about 1/2 inch thick. In one embodiment, there is a small gap G9 (e.g., about 0.10 to 0.15 inches) between the underside of thefirst wear member 69A and theaxial end 50Z of theroller 50. - As shown in
FIG. 2F , the grindingassembly 430 hasconical rollers 450 that have the radiallyouter surface 450X sloped at an angle δ relative to reference line A12 that is parallel to an axial center line A11 of theroller 450. The grindingring 432 has conical grindingsurface 446 that is sloped radially inward and axially downward from the axialupper edge 432X of a grindingring 432 to the axiallower edge 432Y of the grindingring 432 at the angle δ measured relative to a vertical reference line A12. Theroller 450 is installed in the grindingring 432 with theaxial end 450Y (i.e., smaller diameter end compared to theaxial end 450Z) facing down and below theaxial end 450Z. The angle δ is between 5 and 15 degrees. The use of theconical rollers 450 and the conical grindingsurface 446 has utility in providing a vertical lifting force which lifts theroller 450 to reduce the vertical force (e.g., about equal to 50-100% of the weight of the roller 450) applied to thewear member 69B. Reduction of the vertical force applied to thewear plate 69B reduces friction, wear and power consumption. Use of theconical rollers 450 and the conical grindingsurface 446 also has utility in compensating for misalignment of therollers 450 relative to the grindingring 432 during assembly, because after a period of operation therollers 450 migrate to a position favorable to grinding performance. Theconical rollers 450 and conical grindingsurface 446 can also be employed in configurations without thewear plates assemblies 30 ofFIGS. 2A ,2B and2C . Theconical rollers 450 have an overlay 450K applied thereto, such as a cobalt based weld overlay (e.g.,Stoody ® 100 registered to Stoody Company or Stellite® registered to Kennametal Inc.). While the overlay 450K is shown and described as being applied to theconical rollers 450, the present invention is not limited in this regard as the overlay 450K can be applied to any of therollers 50 shown inFIGS. 1A ,1B ,2A ,2B ,2C and2E . The overlay 450K increases surface roughness and increases life of therollers rollers surface - Employing the
shim stack 43J, as described herein and shown inFIG. 2F , has utility in positioning theconical rollers 450 relative to the grindingring 432 to maximize grinding surface area therebetween. Employing theshim stack 43J also has utility in vertically positioning the contouredrollers 50 ofFIG. 2E in the grindingring 32 to maximize the grinding surface area therebetween. - The first support plate and the second support plate are of a non-circular shape such that the optimum second area A2 of the
first support plate 52 and the optimum third area A3 of thesecond support plate 54 are of magnitudes which configure a flow area FA (seeFIGS. 3 and4 , for example showing the flow area FA as being the area A1 minus the area A2) through the opening of at least 30 percent of the first area A1 to provide a predetermined quantity of heated air in a ratio of 2-4 mass flow rate of air to mass flow rate of material being dried, to dry and/or calcining the feed material in the grindingassembly 30 and transport the ground material upwards through the grindingassembly 30 at a velocity (e.g., a velocity of about 20 feet per second to 40 feet per second) sufficient to entrain the ground material, in an air stream flowing upwardly through the grindingassembly 30. In one embodiment, the flow area FA is from 40 to 70 percent of the first area A1 so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to dry and calcining synthetic gypsum, natural gypsum or mixtures of synthetic gypsum and natural gypsum. In one embodiment, the flow area FA is from 40 to 50 percent of the first area A1 so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to dry and calcining synthetic and natural gypsum. The flow area FA extends from a radiallyouter edge 52E (seeFIGS. 1A ,1B ,2A ,2B ,2C ,3A, 3B ) of thefirst support plate 52 to the grindingsurface 46. The flow area FA extends from a radiallyouter edge 54E (seeFIGS. 1A ,1B ,2A ,2B ,2C ,3A, 3B ) of thesecond support plate 54 to the grindingsurface 46. The flow area FA extends from a radiallyouter edge 56E (seeFIG. 2C ) of thethird support plate 56 to the grindingsurface 46. The flow area FA includes an outlet of the grindingsection 20A that transitions into thefeed section 20B. - Configuring the flow area FA from 40 to 70 percent or from 40 to 50 percent of the first area A1 yields the surprising result of providing the predetermined quantity of heated air sufficient to dry and calcining synthetic gypsum having about 10 wt% (i.e., weight percent) surface moisture and about 20 wt% chemical bond moisture (i.e., collectively referred to as high moisture). Configuring the flow area FA from 40 to 70 percent or from 40 to 50 percent of the first area A1 yields the surprising result of providing the predetermined quantity of heated air sufficient to dry and calcining natural gypsum having about 5 wt% (i.e., weight percent) surface moisture and about 20 wt% chemical bond moisture (i.e., collectively referred to as high moisture). Configuring the flow area FA from 40 to 70 percent or from 40 to 50 percent of the first area A1 yields the surprising result of providing the predetermined quantity of heated air sufficient to dry and calcining a mixture of synthetic gypsum and natural gypsum having about 5 wt% to about 10 wt% (i.e., weight percent) surface moisture and about 20 wt% chemical bond moisture (i.e., collectively referred to as high moisture). In addition, configuring the flow area FA from 40 to 70 percent or from 40 to 50 percent of the first area A1 yields the surprising result of providing the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to dry and calcining the feed material having about 10 wt% surface moisture and about 20 wt% chemical bond moisture. In one embodiment, the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to dry and calcining the feed material having a particle size of less than 1 millimeter. In one embodiment, the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to dry and calcining the feed material having a particle size of about 40 to about 80 microns.
- In one embodiment, the flow area FA is from 30 to 60 percent of the first area A1 so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to dry the feed material that includes one or more of Kaolin clay, bentonite, limestone, pet coke and coal. Configuring the flow area FA from 30 to 60 percent of the first area A1 yields the surprising result of providing the predetermined quantity of heated air sufficient to dry the feed material having a moisture content of greater than 5 wt%. Configuring the flow area FA from 30 to 60 percent of the first area A1 yields the surprising result of providing the predetermined quantity of heated air sufficient to dry the feed material having a moisture content of greater than 5 wt% and having a particle size of about 0.05 mm to about 50 mm.
- In one embodiment, the flow area FA is from 30 to 40 percent of the first area A1 so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to dry the feed material that includes one or more of Kaolin clay, bentonite, limestone, pet coke and coal. Configuring the flow area FA from 30 to 40 percent of the first area A1 yields the surprising result of providing the predetermined quantity of heated air sufficient to dry the feed material having a moisture content of greater than 5 wt%. Configuring the flow area FA from 30 to 40 percent of the first area A1 yields the surprising result of providing the predetermined quantity of heated air sufficient to dry the feed material having a moisture content of greater than 5 wt% and having a particle size of about 0.05 mm to about 50 mm.
- For grinding, drying and calcining synthetic or natural gypsum or mixtures thereof, the Applicant discovered that the 40-70% flow area are required to provide sufficient air flow with enough heating capacity, while providing sufficient dwell time in the grinding area to produce a ground calcined product of a predetermined particle size. The Applicant has discovered that for grinding and drying of other material such as Kaolin clay, bentonite, limestone, pet coke and coal, that the 30-60% flow area is required to provide sufficient air flow with enough heating capacity, while providing sufficient grinding area to produce a ground dried product of a predetermined particle size.
- As shown in
FIGS. 1A and2A , the radiallyouter surface 50X of each of the rollers is contoured (e.g., convex) and the grindingsurface 46 of the grinding ring is contoured (e.g., concave). The present invention is not limited in this regard as in one embodiment, the radiallyouter surface 50X' of each of the rollers 50' is substantially straight and the grinding surface 46' of the grinding ring 32' is substantially straight, as shown inFIGS. 1B and2B .FIGS. 1B and2B are similar toFIGS. 1A and2A with the exception of the aforementioned straight configuration and therefor include the same element numbers for identical components. Through computational analysis, the Applicant has found that the roller mills 10 (FIG. 1A ) with therollers 50 having the convex radiallyouter surface 50X and the concave grindingsurface 46 consume less energy compared to the roller mills 10' (FIG. 1B ) having straight radiallyouter surface 50X' and straight grinding surface 46'. - As best shown in
FIG. 5 , the grindingassembly 30 includes aplow assembly 70 rotatable with theshaft 39 and configured to transport the feed material from below the grindingassembly 30 upwards to the plurality of rollers 50' and grinding ring 32'. As shown inFIGS. 2E and2F , thesecond support plate 54 is utilized as a mounting site for aplow support structure 77 to receive theplow assembly 70. Adjusting the number of shims in theshim stack 43J also adjusts the vertical position of theplow assembly 70, similar to that described herein for adjusting the vertical position of therollers 50. - As shown in
FIG. 2C , in one embodiment, theroller mill 30" has a multiple roller layered configuration (e.g., 2 layers of contoured rollers are shown) includes athird support plate 56 secured to theshaft 39 via thesleeve 43C (and thehub 43 shown inFIG. 2A ). A plurality of contouredrollers 50 is shown positioned between the first support plate and thesecond support plate 54. The contouredrollers 50 have an arcuate curvedcircumferential surface 50X. Thethird support plate 56 is spaced axially apart from thefirst support plate 52 and thesecond support plate 54. An additional plurality of contouredrollers 50", similar to the contouredrollers 50, is mounted to and positioned between the third support plate and thesecond support plate 54. Each of the additional plurality ofrollers 50" is configured to move between the first support plate, the second support plate and/or the additional support plate as a result of rotation of theshaft 39. Each of the plurality of contouredrollers 50 has the radiallyouter surface 50X that is in grinding communication with the contoured grindingsurface 46 of the grindingring 32, for example, theouter surface 50X rollingly engages the contoured grindingsurface 46 of the grindingring 32" or theouter surface 50X is in sufficient proximity to the contoured grindingsurface 46 of the grindingring 32 to effectuate grinding. Each of the plurality ofadditional rollers 50" has the radiallyouter surface 50X" that is in grinding communication with the contoured grindingsurface 46" of the grindingring 32", for example, theouter surface 50X" rollingly engages the contoured grindingsurface 46" of the grindingring 32" or theouter surface 50X" is in sufficient proximity to the contoured grindingsurface 46" of the grindingring 32" to effectuate grinding.. The Applicant has found that the use of the multiple roller layer configuration shown inFIG. 2C , preferably a limit of two layers, is adequate because the two layers do not impede the upward flow of material to be ground as provided by theplow assembly 70, compared to prior art mills 200 (FIG. 8 ) that employ a top to bottom path for material being fed through the grindingassembly 280. - While
FIG. 2C illustrates afirst support plate 52 and asecond support plate 54 with a plurality ofrollers 50 there between and the plurality ofadditional rollers 50" positioned between thesecond support plate 54 and thethird support plate 56, the present invention is not limited in this regard as any number of rows or layers of plurality of rollers between any number of support plates may be employed without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention. - The grinding
assembly 30 has no lubrication system that provides a lubricant such as oil to thepin 60 and thebore 50B of therollers assembly 30 is configured for grinding the feed material that requires an airstream supplied at a temperature that thepin 60 and thebore 50B of therollers rollers sized journal assembly 188 of the priorart pendulum mill 100 shown and described with reference toFIGS. 6 and7 , with less grinding pressure and thus less vibration, but still able to achieve throughput required. As a result, theplanetary roller mill 10 with the grindingassembly 30 is configured to grind, dry and calcining materials such as synthetic gypsum, natural gypsum or mixtures of synthetic gypsum and natural gypsum having a feed material particle size of 40 to 80 microns and a ground particle size of 25 to 35 microns. - The present invention includes a method of retrofitting a roller mill such as the
pendulum mill 100 shown inFIG. 6 . The method includes providing a roller mill, such as thependulum mill 100, that has avessel assembly 105 mounted to a stationary frame orbase assembly 110 and a grindingassembly 180 positioned in thevessel assembly 105. The grindingassembly 180 includes a firstgrinding ring 133 that has a first opening extending therethrough. The first opening is defined by a first radially inward facing grindingsurface 129 and has a first area. The firstgrinding ring 133 is in sealing engagement with the inside surface of thevessel assembly 105. Ashaft 182 is rotatably mounted to theframe 110, for example by suitable bearings. Ahub 186 is mounted to one end of theshaft 182, for example via a key and keyway configuration. A plurality of arms 187 (e.g., spider plates) extend from thehub 186. The grindingassembly 180 includes a plurality ofjournal assemblies 188 as shown in detail inFIG. 7 . One of the plurality ofjournal assemblies 188 is pivotally secured to each of the plurality ofarms 187. The grindingassembly 180 includes a plurality offirst rollers 189. One of the plurality offirst rollers 189 is rotatingly coupled to eachjournal assembly 188. The method of retrofitting the roller mill includes removing the plurality ofarms 187, the plurality ofjournal assemblies 188 and the plurality offirst rollers 189 from the roller mill. Theshaft 189 and thehub 186 may be employed in the retrofitted roller mill, modified or replaced with thehub 43 andshaft 39 illustrated inFIGS. 1A ,2A ,2E and2F , for example. The method includes providing asleeve 43C, afirst support plate 52, asecond support plate 54 and a plurality ofsecond rollers 50 such as, for example, those shown inFIGS. 1A ,2A ,2E and2F . Thesleeve 43C is positioned over theshaft 39 and thesleeve 43C is secured to theshaft 39 via thehub 43. The method includes securing thefirst support plate 52 to thesleeve 43C, for example by welding and use of thegussets 47. Thefirst support plate 52 has a firstaxially facing surface 52A that defines a second area A2. The method includes securing thesecond support plate 54 to thesleeve 43C, for example by welding. Thesecond support plate 54 has a secondaxially facing surface 54A that defines a third area A3. Thesecond support plate 54 is spaced axially apart from thefirst support plate 52. The method includes rotatably mounting the plurality ofsecond rollers 50 to and between thefirst support plate 52 and thesecond support plate 54 so that each of the plurality ofrollers 50 is configured to move between thefirst support plate 52 and thesecond support plate 54 as a result of rotation of the shaft, as shown and described herein with reference toFIG. 2D . Each of the plurality ofrollers 50 has a radiallyouter surface 50X. Thefirst support plate 52 and thesecond support plate 54 are of a non-circular shape such that the second area A2 of thefirst support plate 52 and the third area A3 of thesecond support plate 54 are of magnitudes which configure a flow area FA through thefirst opening 44 of at least 30 percent of the first area A1 to provide a predetermined quantity of heated air to remove moisture from the feed material in the grindingassembly 20A. - In one embodiment, the method includes providing a
first plow assembly 190 secured to thehub 186 by theplow support 191, as shown inFIG. 6 . Thefirst plow assembly 190 is removed from thependulum mill 100. The method includes providing one or moresecond plow assemblies 70 and securing thesecond plow assembly 70 or assemblies to a bottom portion of thesecond support plate 54. - In one embodiment, the method includes removing the first grinding ring 133 (
FIG. 6 ) from themill 100. Asecond grinding ring 32 is provided, such as that shown inFIGS. 1A ,2A ,2E and2F . Thesecond grinding ring 32 has the first opening defined by the first radially inward facing grindingsurface 46 and has the first area A1. The first area A1 of the first and second grinding rings 133, 32 may be equal or different in magnitude. The method includes installing thesecond grinding ring 32 in sealing engagement with the inside surface of the vessel assembly. - In one embodiment, the method includes installing the
second grinding ring 32 in sealing engagement with theinside surface 20D of thevessel assembly 20. - In one embodiment, the method includes adjusting the vertical position of the
rollers 50 relative to the grindingring 32, for example, with the use of the shim stack43J. - Although this invention has been shown and described with respect to the detailed embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed in the above detailed description, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
- Example 1: A planetary roller mill for processing a feed material, the roller mill comprising: a vessel assembly mounted to a stationary frame and having an inside surface; a material feed supply in communication with the vessel assembly; a grinding assembly positioned in the vessel assembly below the material feed supply, the grinding assembly comprising: an annular grinding ring having an opening extending therethrough, the opening being defined by a radially inward facing grinding surface and having a first area, the grinding ring being in sealing engagement with the inside surface of the vessel assembly; a shaft rotatably mounted to the frame; a first support plate secured to the shaft and having a first axially facing surface defining a second area; a second support plate secured to the shaft and having a second axially facing surface defining a third area, the second support plate being spaced axially apart from the first support plate; a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted to and positioned between the first support plate and the second support plate, each of the plurality of rollers being configured to move between the first support plate and the second support plate as a result of rotation of the shaft, each of the plurality of rollers having a radially outer surface that is in grinding communication with the grinding surface of the grinding ring; an air supply system having an outlet in communication with the opening in the grinding ring for supplying air through the opening; and wherein the first support plate and the second support plate are of a non-circular shape such that the second area of the first support plate and the third area of the second support plate are of magnitudes which configure a flow area through the opening of at least 30 percent of the first area to provide a predetermined quantity of heated air to remove moisture from the feed material in the grinding assembly.
- Example 2: The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein each of the plurality of rollers has a bore axially extending therethrough, the bore having an inside diameter, each of the plurality of rollers is mounted on a pin secured to and extending between the first plate and the second plate, the pin having an outside diameter that is less than the inside diameter of the bore.
- Example 3: The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein the flow area is from 40 to 70 percent of the first area so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to at least one of dry and calcining synthetic gypsum, natural gypsum or mixtures of synthetic gypsum and natural gypsum.
- Example 4: The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein the flow area is from 40 to 70 percent of the first area so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to at least one of dry and calcining synthetic gypsum having about 10 wt% surface moisture and about 20 wt% chemical bond moisture, natural gypsum having about 5% surface moisture and about 20 wt% chemical bond moisture or a mixture of synthetic gypsum and natural gypsum about 5 wt% to about 10 wt% surface moisture and about 20 wt% chemical bond moisture, while providing sufficient dwell time in the grinding area to produce a ground calcined product of a predetermined particle size.
- Example 5: The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to at least one of dry and calcining the fine feed material having a particle size of less than 1 millimeter.
- Example 6: The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein the flow area is from 30 to 60 percent of the first area so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to remove moisture from the feed material comprising at least one of Kaolin clay, bentonite, limestone, pet coke and coal.
- Example 7: The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein the flow area is from 30 to 60 percent of the first area so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to remove moisture from the feed material having a moisture content of greater than 5 wt%, while providing sufficient grinding area to produce a ground dried product of a predetermined particle size.
- Example 8: The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein the flow area is from 30 to 60 percent of the first area so that the predetermined quantity of heated air is sufficient to remove moisture from the feed material having a particle size of about 0.05 mm to about 50 mm.
- Example 9: The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein the radially outer surface of each of the rollers is convex and the grinding surface of the grinding ring is concave.
- Example 10: The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein the radially outer surface of each of the rollers is substantially straight and the grinding surface of the grinding ring is substantially straight.
- Example 11: The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein the each of the rollers has a conical outer surface and the grinding surface of the grinding ring is sloped to receive the conical rollers.
- Example 12: The planetary roller mill of example 1, further comprising at least one wear member removably disposed between the roller and at least one of the first support plate and the second support plate.
- Example 13: The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein the outlet of the air supply system is connected to a bottom portion of the opening of the grinding ring, beneath the plurality of rollers.
- Example 14: The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein the grinding assembly comprises a plow assembly rotatable with the shaft and configured to transport the feed material from below the grinding assembly to the plurality of rollers and grinding ring.
- Example 15: The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein the plow assembly is secured to the second support plate.
- Example 16: The planetary roller mill of example 1, further comprising: at least one additional support plate secured to the shaft, the at least one additional support plate being spaced axially apart from the first support plate and the second support plate; and an additional plurality of rollers mounted to and positioned between the at least one additional support plate and one of the first support plate and the second support plate, each of the additional plurality of rollers being configured to move between the first support plate, second support plate and the at least one additional support plate as a result of rotation of the shaft, each of the plurality of additional rollers having the radially outer surface that is in grinding communication with the grinding surface of the grinding rings.
- Example 17: The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein the grinding assembly is configured for grinding the feed material at grinding zone air temperature of at least 177 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Example 18: The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein the material feed supply comprises an outlet that extends through the vessel assembly into an interior area thereof and comprising a ramp secured to the inside surface and extending downwardly and radially inward relative to the outlet and at least partially between the outlet and the grinding ring.
- Example 19: The planetary roller mill of example 18, further comprising a cover positioned over the outlet and at least a portion of the ramp.
- Example 20: The planetary roller mill of example 18, further comprising a means for adjusting the vertical position of the rollers relative to the grinding ring.
- Example 21: The planetary roller mill of example 1, wherein at least one of the first support plate and the second support plate have a central area and at least one lobe extending outwardly from the central area, the at least one lobe having an asymmetrical shape, the at least one lobe having an area for receiving a roller mounting pin, the area having a center point, the asymmetric shape comprising a trailing edge and a leading edge generally opposite the trailing edge, the trailing edge extends further away from the center point than does the leading edge.
- Example 22: The planetary roller mill of example 21, wherein: each of the plurality of rollers has at least one axial end; and the center point is positioned on the at least one lobe such that during rotation of the first support plate and the second support plate in a direction from the trailing edge to the leading edge, the at least one lobe covers at least a portion of the at least one axial end adjacent to the leading edge and the trailing edge.
- Example 23: A grinding mill for processing feed material, the grinding mill comprising: a vessel assembly mounted to a stationary frame and having an inside peripheral surface; a material feed supply in communication with an interior area of the vessel assembly via an outlet extending radially inward through the inside peripheral surface; a grinding assembly positioned in the vessel assembly, the grinding assembly comprising: a grinding surface; a plurality of grinding rollers rotatably mounted relative to the grinding surface, the plurality of rollers being configured to be in grinding communication with the grinding surface; and a ramp secured to the inside surface and extending downwardly and radially inward relative to the feed outlet and at least partially between the feed outlet and the grinding ring and being disposed radially outwardly from the grinding rollers.
- Example 24: The grinding mill of example 23, further comprising a cover positioned over the feed outlet and at least a portion of the ramp.
- Example 25: The grinding mill of example 24,wherein the cover comprises at least one of a front sloped wall and at least one side wall.
- Example 26: The grinding mill of example 24, wherein the cover is disposed radially outwardly from the grinding rollers.
- Example 27: The grinding mill of example 23, wherein the grinding assembly comprises one of: a planetary grinding roller and support plate assembly; and a pendulum grinding roller and support structure assembly.
- Example 28: A method of retrofitting a roller mill, the method comprising: providing a roller mill having a vessel assembly mounted to a stationary frame, a grinding assembly positioned in the vessel assembly, the grinding assembly comprising: a first grinding ring having a first opening extending therethrough, the first opening being defined by a first radially inward facing grinding surface and having a first area, the first grinding ring being in sealing engagement with the inside surface of the vessel assembly; a shaft rotatably mounted to the frame; a hub mounted to one end of the shaft; a plurality of arms extending from the hub; a plurality of journal assemblies, one of the plurality of journal assemblies being pivotally secured to each of the plurality of arms; a plurality of first rollers, one of the plurality of first rollers being rotatingly coupled to each journal assembly; removing the plurality of arms, the plurality of journal assemblies and the plurality of first rollers from the roller mill; providing a sleeve, a first support plate, a second support plate and a plurality of second rollers positioning the sleeve over the shaft and securing the sleeve to the shaft via the hub; securing the first support plate to the sleeve, the first support plate having a first axially facing surface defining a second area; securing the second support plate to the sleeve, the second support plate having a second axially facing surface defining a third area, the second support plate being spaced axially apart from the first support plate; rotatably mounting the plurality of second rollers to and between the first support plate and the second support plate, each of the plurality of rollers being configured to move between the first support plate and the second support plate as a result of rotation of the shaft, each of the plurality of rollers having a radially outer surface; and wherein the first support plate and the second support plate are of a non-circular shape such that the second area of the first support plate and the third area of the second support plate are of magnitudes which configure a flow area through the first opening of at least 30 percent of the first area to provide a predetermined quantity of heated air to remove moisture from the feed material in the grinding assembly
- Example 29: The method of example 28, further comprising: providing a first plow assembly secured to the hub; removing the first plow assembly from the roller mill; providing at least one second plow assembly and securing the at least one second plow assembly to the second support plate.
- Example 30: The method of example 28, further comprising: removing the first grinding ring from the roller mill; providing a second grinding ring having the first opening defined by the first radially inward facing grinding surface and having the first area; and installing the second grinding ring in sealing engagement with the inside surface of the vessel assembly.
- Example 31: The method of example 30, further comprising: adjusting the vertical position of the rollers relative to the grinding ring.
- Example 32: A support plate for a planetary roller mill, the support plate comprising: a central area; at least one lobe extending radially outward from the central area, each of the at least one lobes having an asymmetrical shape and an area for receiving a roller mounting pin, the area having a center point, the asymmetric shape comprising a trailing edge and a leading edge generally opposite the trailing edge, the trailing edge extends further away from the center point than does the leading edge.
- Example 33: The support plate of example 32, wherein: the center point is positioned on the at least one lobe such that during rotation of the support plate in a direction from the trailing edge to the leading edge, the at least one lobe is configured to cover at least a portion of an axial end of a roller, adjacent to the leading edge and the trailing edge.
Claims (4)
- A grinding mill for processing feed material, the grinding mill comprising:a vessel assembly (20) mounted to a stationary frame (21) and having an inside peripheral surface;a material feed supply (22) in communication with an interior area of the vessel assembly (20) via a feed outlet (22B) extending radially inward through the inside peripheral surface;a grinding assembly (30) positioned in the vessel assembly (20) , the grinding assembly (30) comprising:a grinding surface (46);a plurality of grinding rollers (50) rotatably mounted relative to the grinding surface (46), the plurality of rollers (50) being configured to be in grinding communication with the grinding surface (46); andfurther comprising a cover (59) positioned over the feed outlet (22B);further comprising a ramp (49) secured to the inside peripheral surface and extending downwardly and radially inward relative to the feed outlet (22B), the ramp (49) is at least partially extending between the feed outlet (22B) and the grinding ring (32) and being disposed radially outwardly from the grinding rollers (50); andwherein the cover (59) is positioned over at least a portion of the ramp (49).
- The grinding mill of claim 1, wherein the cover (59) comprises at least one of a front sloped wall (59F) and at least one side wall (59E).
- The grinding mill of claim 1, wherein the cover (59) is disposed radially outwardly from the grinding rollers (50).
- The grinding mill of claim 1, wherein the grinding assembly (30) comprises one of:a planetary grinding roller and support plate assembly; anda pendulum grinding roller and support structure assembly.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US5511816A | 2016-10-03 | 2016-10-03 | |
PCT/US2016/055118 WO2018067103A1 (en) | 2016-10-03 | 2016-10-03 | Planetary roller mill for processing high moisture feed material |
PCT/US2017/054731 WO2018067444A1 (en) | 2016-10-03 | 2017-10-02 | Planetary roller mill for processing high moisture feed material |
EP17858957.8A EP3519099A4 (en) | 2016-10-03 | 2017-10-02 | Planetary roller mill for processing high moisture feed material |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP17858957.8A Division EP3519099A4 (en) | 2016-10-03 | 2017-10-02 | Planetary roller mill for processing high moisture feed material |
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EP4331726A2 true EP4331726A2 (en) | 2024-03-06 |
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP24151631.9A Pending EP4331726A2 (en) | 2016-10-03 | 2017-10-02 | Planetary roller mill for processing high moisture feed material |
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Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US1609529A (en) | 1925-11-05 | 1926-12-07 | Charles C Trowbridge | Pulverizing machine |
US2108609A (en) | 1935-04-15 | 1938-02-15 | Comb Eng Co Inc | Whizzer separator and mill |
US3027103A (en) | 1961-01-09 | 1962-03-27 | Myron S Mischanski | Grinding mills |
-
2017
- 2017-10-02 EP EP24151631.9A patent/EP4331726A2/en active Pending
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1609529A (en) | 1925-11-05 | 1926-12-07 | Charles C Trowbridge | Pulverizing machine |
US2108609A (en) | 1935-04-15 | 1938-02-15 | Comb Eng Co Inc | Whizzer separator and mill |
US3027103A (en) | 1961-01-09 | 1962-03-27 | Myron S Mischanski | Grinding mills |
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