Energy-Model and Life Cycle-Model for Grinding Processes of Limestone Products

Fine and ultrafine grinding of limestone are frequently used in the pharmaceutical, chemical, construction, food, and cosmetic industries, however, research investigations have not yet been published on the combination of energy and life cycle modeling. Therefore, the first aim of this research work was the examination of main grinding parameters of the limestone particles to determine an empiric energy-model. Dry and wet grinding experiments have been carried out with a Bond mill and a laboratory stirred ball mill. During the grinding processes, the grinding time and the filling ratio have been adjusted. The second goal of this research assessed the resources, emissions and environmental impacts of wet laboratory grinding with the help of life cycle assessment (LCA). The life cycle assessment was completed by applying the GaBi 8.0 (version: 10.5) software and the CML method. As a result of research, the determination of an empiric energy-model allowed to develop an estimated particle size distribution and a relationship between grinding fineness and specific grinding energy. The particle size distribution of ground materials can be exactly calculated by an empirical Rosin–Rammler function which represented well the function parameters on the mill characters. In accordance with LCA results, the environmental impacts for the mass of a useful product for different levels of specific energy with the building of approximation functions were determined. This research work sets up a new complex model with the help of mathematical equations between life cycle assessment and specific energy results, and so improves the energy and environmental efficiency of grinding systems. This research work facilitates the industry to make predictions for a production-scale plant using an LCA of pilot grinding processes.