As an efficient and energy-saving grinding equipment, the vertical roller mill has many advantages, but also some disadvantages. The following is a detailed analysis of its advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages of vertical roller mill
1. High grinding efficiency: The vertical roller mill adopts a large roller pressing system, and its grinding efficiency is significantly higher than that of the traditional ball mill. According to Sohu.com, its power consumption is 20%-35% lower than that of the ball mill, and in some cases, it is 40-50% lower.
2. Strong drying capacity: The vertical roller mill can dry the material while grinding, especially for materials with high humidity, and can meet different drying requirements by adjusting the hot air temperature. Its drying capacity can handle materials with a moisture content of up to 12%-20%, without the need to establish a separate drying system.
3. Uniform particle grading: The material stays in the vertical roller mill for a short time (only 2-3 minutes), avoiding over-grinding and making the finished product particle grading more uniform. This is conducive to improving product quality and reducing the complexity of subsequent processing procedures.
4. Low noise and less dust: During the operation of the vertical roller mill, the grinding roller and the grinding disc are not in direct contact, which reduces the metal impact sound, so the noise is 20-25 decibels lower than that of the ball mill. At the same time, its fully sealed system allows the system to operate under negative pressure, effectively reducing dust and making the operating environment cleaner.
5. Low wear and high utilization rate: The unit product wear of the vertical roller mill is low, generally 5-10g/t. For scenes such as grinding cement raw materials, the life of the roller sleeve and liner can reach more than 8,000 hours, and the operation rate can reach more than 95%.
6. Simple process flow: The vertical roller mill integrates crushing, drying, grinding, grading, and transportation, which simplifies the production process. Especially for large-scale equipment, the three-stage fine crushing and ball milling system can be omitted, further reducing production costs.
7. Small footprint: The building area of the vertical roller mill is about 70% of that of the ball mill, and the building space is about 50%-60% of the ball mill system. This is conducive to saving land resources and reducing construction costs.
8. Wide range of applications: Vertical roller mills are widely used for grinding various types of materials, including high-humidity to dry materials, difficult-to-grind to easy-to-grind materials, etc. It handles a wide range of powder types and involves many industries.
Disadvantages of vertical roller mills
1. Complex equipment structure: The equipment structure of the vertical roller mill is relatively complex, and a high level of technology is required for maintenance and upkeep. This requires operators to have rich professional knowledge and practical experience.
2. Easy to block and malfunction: Due to the delicate grinding process of the vertical roller mill, problems such as blockage and malfunction may occur in actual applications. This requires regular inspection and maintenance to ensure the normal operation of the equipment.
3. Limited adaptability to materials: Although the vertical roller mill is suitable for grinding a variety of materials, it may not achieve the expected results for some special materials (such as materials with extreme hardness). Therefore, the characteristics of the material and production needs need to be fully considered when selecting equipment.
4. Higher initial investment: Compared with traditional ball mills, the initial investment of vertical roller mills may be higher. This includes equipment purchase costs, installation and commissioning costs, and investment in supporting facilities. However, from the perspective of long-term operating costs, the energy-saving and consumption-reducing characteristics of the vertical roller mill can significantly reduce production costs.
In summary, the vertical roller mill has the advantages of high grinding efficiency, strong drying capacity, uniform particle grading, low noise, less dust, less wear, high utilization rate, simple process flow, small footprint, and wide application range. However, its shortcomings such as complex equipment structure, easy blockage and failure, limited adaptability to materials, and high initial investment also need to be paid attention to in practical applications.
Baichy Machinery is a factory supplier of mining machinery, mainly focusing on stone crushers, powder grinding mills, and mineral beneficiation plants. We can offer you a free design and completed solutions according to your project.
Baichy Heavy Industry has grown into a high-tech mining equipment comprehensive enterprise, integrating R&D, manufacturing, sales, and after-sales service, Passing ISO9001:2015 quality management system certifications. The main products are mobile jaw crushing plants, construction waste crushing plants, PE jaw crushers, VSI sand-making machines, Symons cone crushers, single-cylinder hydraulic cone crushers, PCX high-fine crushers, grinding mills, ball mills, and full sets of beneficiation equipment with an excellent level.
