Matching Equipment to Ore Type and Production Needs
Every crushing, screening and grinding application has its own unique requirements driven by ore / rock type, feed size, production capacity, product size specification, moisture and abrasiveness. Matching the right equipment to the application is the foundation of a reliable, efficient and profitable operation.
WSHT's approach begins with a clear understanding of the application and then systematically identifies the most suitable equipment combination.
Jaw Crushers — Primary Crushing for Hard Rock
Jaw crushers are the classic primary crusher for hard and very hard rock (granite, basalt, iron ore, copper ore). They apply compressive force between a fixed jaw plate and a moving jaw plate, and are available in sizes from small portable units to very large stationary jaw crushers accepting feed up to 1200-1500 mm.
Key selection criteria include feed opening size (gape), closed-side setting (CSS) range, installed power, and operating weight / foundation requirements.
Cone Crushers — Efficient Secondary and Tertiary Crushing
Cone crushers are used for secondary and tertiary crushing of medium-hard to very-hard rock. They operate by gyratory motion of a conical crushing head within a concave bowl, producing good-cubicity product at low operating cost per ton. Spring-release and hydraulic-release designs are the two main cone crusher types.
For a given application, the right cone crusher is selected based on feed size, target product size, required tonnage and available installed power.
Impact Crushers and VSI Crushers — Shaping and Fine Crushing
Horizontal-shaft impact crushers are used for primary and secondary crushing of soft to medium-hard rock (limestone, construction debris), producing well-shaped cubical aggregate. Vertical-shaft impact (VSI) crushers are used for producing manufactured sand (m-sand) and high-quality fine aggregate.
The choice between impact crusher and VSI crusher depends on feed size, product size requirements, material abrasiveness and required product shape.
Screens, Feeders and Belt Conveyors
Vibrating screens perform sizing, scalping and dewatering duties in crushing and screening circuits. Key selection criteria include screening area, deck number, panel aperture arrangement, screen media type (rubber, polyurethane, steel wire mesh) and motion type (circular vs. linear vs. banana).
Feeders (vibratory feeders, apron feeders, grizzly feeders) and belt conveyors complete the crushing circuit by delivering feed and products at the required rates.
Grinding Mills for Mineral Processing
For mineral processing applications, WSHT supplies ball mills, rod mills and SAG / AG mills sized for each project's target throughput and grind size. The choice between single-stage and multi-stage grinding and the selection of classification equipment (hydrocyclones, screens) depend on the specific ore characteristics and downstream process requirements.
WSHT engineers use grinding simulation tools to size and select grinding circuits for optimum energy efficiency and capital cost.
