A hammer mill is equipment used to reduce the size of solid materials through the collision between rotating hammers and the material to be ground. This type of mill is widely used in various industries to produce particles of controlled size. Let’s explore what a hammer mill is for and how it works:
What is it for:
Size Reduction: The main purpose of a hammer mill is to reduce the size of solid particles through grinding.
Production of Controlled Particles: It is used to produce particles of a controlled size from various materials, such as grains, foods, chemicals, minerals, among others.
Pre-grinding: In some applications, the hammer mill is used as part of a pre-grinding process, reducing the initial size of the material before other processes.
How it works:
Rotary Hammers:
The hammer mill consists of a rotor equipped with hammers that rotate at high speed. These hammers collide with the material to be ground.
Material Feeding:
The material to be ground is fed into the grinding chamber of the mill, usually through a hopper or other feeding device.
Impact and Collision:
As the rotor rotates, the hammers move at high speed, colliding with the material. This impact causes the particles to break and reduce their size.
Sieve or Output Grid:
The hammer mill usually has a sieve or outlet grid that controls the size of particles that can pass through. Smaller particles pass through the sieve, while larger particles are kept in the grinding chamber for further collisions.
Particle Size Control:
The size of the openings in the sieve or grid can be adjusted to control the size of the final particles.
Product Output:
The ground particles are discharged from the mill through the opening at the bottom.
Benefits:
Versatility: Can grind a wide variety of materials, from grains to industrial waste.
Grinding Efficiency: Provides efficient grinding, especially for hard materials.
Precise Particle Size Control: By adjusting the sieve or grid, it is possible to control the size of the particles produced.
Simplicity of Operation: In general, it is relatively easy to operate and maintain.
Hammer mills are commonly used in various industries, including agriculture, food, chemical and mining, where size reduction is required to produce particles of a specific size.
Some examples of industries and products for which hammer mills are commonly employed include:
Agricultural Industry:
Products: Grains (corn, wheat, rice), oilseeds.
Applications: Animal feed processing, feed production.
Food industry:
Products: Cereals, spices, herbs, grains.
Applications: Grinding ingredients for processed foods, ground spices.
Chemical industry:
Products: Various chemicals in powder form.
Applications: Production of fine chemicals, grinding of products for additive manufacturing.
Pharmaceutical industry:
Products: Active pharmaceutical ingredients (IFAs), excipients.
Applications: Grinding components for drug formulation.
Mining and Metallurgy Industry:
Products: Minerals, ores.
Applications: Preparation of ores for processing, production of fine powders.
Recycling Industry:
Products: Recyclable materials, industrial waste.
Applications: Grinding recyclable materials to produce recycled materials.
Biofuels Industry:
Products: Biomass, pellets.
Applications: Preparation of biomass for biofuel production, pellet grinding.
Pulp and Paper Industry:
Products: Wood, cellulose.
Applications: Preparation of raw material for paper production, size reduction of wood waste.
Plastics Industry:
Products: Plastic resins, recyclable materials.
Applications: Grinding resins for the production of plastic powders, recycling plastic materials.
Animal Nutrition Industry:
Products: Animal feed, supplements.
Applications: Animal feed processing, ingredient grinding.
Cosmetics and Personal Care Industry:
Products: Cosmetic ingredients.
Applications: Grinding ingredients for the production of cosmetics. |
