Diseño y construcción de un molino para la reducción del tamaño de los minerales previo a la obtención de metales preciosos dentro del laboratorio de mineralogía de la ESPOCH

Abstract

The objective of this technical project was the design and construction of a mill for the size reduction of minerals prior to obtain precious metals in the Mineralogy laboratory of the Chemical Engineering program of the Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo. First, a bibliographic review was carried out on the classification and characterization of minerals, as well as the types of mining equipment used for grinding, specifically five alternatives were analyzed, from which the ball mill was chosen for its particle crushing capacity. Once the type of mill was determined, the pertinent engineering calculations were made for its design, thus obtaining a ball mill with a drum diameter of 0.388 m, a length of 0.3104 m and a height of 0.803 m having a milling capacity of 5 kilograms of mineral, A-36 steel was used for the mill structure and 705 steel for the milling body due to its mechanical properties. Finally, to verify the correct operation of the equipment, a sample extracted from the Mining Association Rica Suave mine in Portovelo, Oro province, was used, obtaining as a result a ball mill efficiency of 81.62%, since the sample size was reduced from 500 microns to 125 microns. This completed the first stage of the pilot plant for obtaining precious minerals, which will be used for experimentation by students in the laboratory. Before using the equipment for the first time, it is recommended to read the operation and safety manuals to avoid damages and accidents in the laboratory.