Effects of Blade Parameters on the Flow Field and Classification Performance of the Vertical Roller Mill via Numerical Investigations

The vertical roller mill is an important crushing and grading screening device widely used in many industries. Its classification efficiency and the pressure difference determine the entire producing capacity and power consumption, respectively, which makes them the two key indicators describing the mill performance. Based on the DPM (Discrete Phase Model) and continuous phase coupling model, the flow field characteristics in the vertical roller mill including the velocity and pressure fields and the discrete phase distributions had been analyzed. The influence of blade parameters like the shape, number, and rotating speed on the flow field and classification performance had also been comprehensively explored. The numerical simulations showed that there are vortices in many zones in the mill and the blades are of great significance to the mill performance. The blade IV not only results in high classification efficiency but also reduces effectively the pressure difference in the separator and also the whole machine. The conclusions of the flow field analysis and the blade effects on the classification efficiency and the pressure difference could guide designing and optimizing the equipment structure and the milling process, which is of great importance to obtain better overall performance of the vertical roller mill.