Quebec IMPC 2016 - Draft Abstract

Super fine Crushing – Pivotal Comminution Technology from IMP

Technologies Pty. Limited.

C.G.Kelsey – 83B Proctor Rd. Hope Forest, South Australia 5172

J.R.Kelly – 36 Romilly Avenue, Lower Templestowe, Vctoria 3107

The IMPTEC Super-fine Crusher was designed to add a new media free and low maintenance dimension to comminution practice by generating ultra-fine products at reduced energy per unit mass of product, from hard mineral assemblages presenting at either coarse or fine feed sizes. The super-fine crushing concept was introduced at the 27th International Mineral Processing Congress in Santiago Chile, with the results from a range of pilot scale duties, which demonstrated the crusher’s unique operating scope. This paper chronicles the transition of the technology from pilot to commercial scale with particular attention to the role of super-fine crushing in a commercial concrete operation dedicated to increasing the use of supplementary cementitious waste materials such as active silica smelter slags and flyash. A key objective of the operation is to demonstrate an economical route to reducing the cost of concrete, improving concrete quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by replacing Ordinary Portland Cements with increasing amounts of microfine flyash and smelter slags together with the use of granulated slags as fillers in Portland Cement concretes and Geopolymer concretes. The results of coal micronisation pilot trials have also defined the role of super-fine crushing in the preparation of fuels for direct injection carbon engines which have the potential to offer lower cost power generation and reduced emissions. Furthermore the paper highlights the potentially key contribution super-fine crushing can make to the long-term viability of iron ore beneficiation by simplifying comminution flow-sheets and reducing operating costs. Whilst the technology has the potential to feature universally in metalliferous and industrial mineral flow-sheets the paper also reports the results of particle size reduction pilot tests on refractory smelter products ahead of refining.

Bob Kelly 28/1/15