Grinding is an essential part of the manufacturing process. When you are choosing a grinder, you have several options to choose from. Two of the most common types of mill grinders are ball mills and SAG mills.
While they may seem similar, they are quite different. As you are choosing the best steel grinder, you have to understand the difference between a ball mill and a SAG mill.
Here we will give you a complete guide on what is a ball mill vs SAG mill, how they are different, and how they are used.
Let’s get started!
Operating Principle
The operating principle difference between a ball mill and a SAG mill is their specific energy consumption. Ball mills use an induced storage mechanism to grind materials. The materials are ground using impact and the friction created between the particles as they rotate in a chamber.
On the other hand, SAG mills use a combination of both autogenous and induced grinding mechanisms. Autogenous grinding occurs through the use of ore itself as the grinding media, where the ore acts as both the feed material and the media. Induced grinding involves external means such as steel rods, balls, or pebbles to initiate and process the material.
As a result of the different operating principles, ball mills consume a much larger amount of energy than SAG mills.
Grinding Efficiency
The efficiency of a grinding process mainly depends upon the type of grinding mills used for grinding. Both mills differ in terms of the efficiency of grinding. Ball Mills have a higher degree of efficiency than SAG Mills due to their smaller size and have more area for grinding particles, leading to faster grinding.
On the other hand, SAG Mills have a larger and deeper drum that provides larger lifting force which increases grinding efficiency. In addition, due to its larger size, SAG Mills consumes more energy, while Ball Mills usually operates with lower power consumption.
These differences result in varying degrees of efficiency when it comes to grinding materials through each type of mill.
Cost Difference
Ball mill and SAG mill both cost differences depending on their technology and construction. While a ball mill is particularly suited for lower tonnage situations, SAG mills can typically handle higher throughput and are more suitable for higher tonnage operations.
The capital cost of a ball mill can vary significantly based on its size and operational requirements. Similarly, SAG mill configuration and size will also affect its total cost of ownership. Generally, the construction costs associated with SAG mills tend to fall in a wider range than for a ball mill due to the:
- complexity of process
- detailed design
- project construction
As a general rule, SAG mills tend to be more expensive to acquire and maintain than ball mills, however, the cost-benefit analysis must consider the total cost of operation over the life of the mill. To get a closer look into quotes and details, you may find grinding mills here.
Understand the Difference Between Ball Mill vs SAG Mill
In conclusion, ball mills and SAG mills are both essential in the operation of any mineral processing facility. They both reduce particles in size by using different sizes of grinding media, and have differences in cost, efficiency, and use in regards to application.
Further research into the specifics of a ball mill and a SAG mill is required for a plant to decide which option may be best for them.
For more articles aside from these grinding equipment types, visit our blog.
