A theoretical approach to disintegration equipment design for mineral raw materials

The article discusses prospects of research aimed at the use of nonconventional methods of energy deposition on mineral media and hydrodynamic influence on the processes of dispersion of solid particles in liquids. Spotlight is on rotary machines and plants using hydrodynamic ram phenomenon. It is established that the theory related to cavitation lacks sufficient development to be used in engineering and design of such machines. The conventional design is based on determining the geometric parameters of the flow of working members and hydrodynamic characteristics, including pressure and flow rate. The purpose of the study is to analytically determine the influence exerted by speed modes and volumetric flow rate of hydromixes on thermodynamic and structural changes in the system during destruction of mineral components at the first stage of microdisintegration in a new-type hydrodynamic generator. Based on process modeling, it is found that the governing part in dynamic eddy effects in the flow energy transformation belongs to the exposure time with regard to the thermodynamic potential of the system, subject to the volumetric flow rate, velocity and pressure of the hydromix jet. With an increase in the exposure time by two times and in the flow rate of the hydromix by five times, at the minimum content of the solid phase in the hydromix, the increment in the specific interphase surface of the mineral component reaches two orders of magnitude. The diagram of the proposed plant with a diffuser, two cone dividers with blades and inclined helix surfaces is considered. The advantage of such plants is a significant reduction in energy costs due to elimination of rotating parts. The development of theoretical, numerical and experimental methods for the study and engineering of gravity machines based on hydrodynamic phenomena and cavitation will make it possible to design adaptable pilot plants suitable for operation at mining facilities. The studies were carried out using equipment of the Scientific Evidence Shared Storage and Processing Center of the Far East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation under Contract No. 075-15-2021-663.