Grinding and Milling Systems Course



A six-week course designed to take students through the complete cycle of raw material grinding and preparation, clinker grinding, milling and separation cycles. Ball mills and vertical milling technologies will all be included with operator training on improved grinding techniques, cost saving strategies, improved performance.

Course Content

Module 1 – Introduction and concepts

  • The reasons why grinding and milling are so important in cement manufacture.
  • The measurement and control of fineness and the different measures applied on cement factories
  • Separation theory
  • The concept of grindability and the effects of inter-grinding materials of different grindability
  • Drying and evaporative cooling
  • The segmentation of grinding and milling systems.

Module 2 – Ball mills

This module will cover the technology of ball mills used for raw and finish grinding in the cement manufacturing process.

    * Mechanical description of the different types of mills.
    * Ball mill grinding equations and dimensioning.
    * Mill internals, media, liners and diaphragms.
    * Ventilation, cooling and drying.
    * Control concepts.
    * Grinding aids and other tools to boost efficiency.

Module 3 – Vertical mills

This module will cover the technology of vertical mills used for raw and finish grinding in the cement manufacturing process.

  • Mechanical description of the different types of mills
  • Vertical mill grinding equations and dimensioning
  • Ventilation, cooling and drying
  • Control concepts
  • Optimisation possibilities.

Module 4 – Roll Presses

This module will cover the technology of roll presses used for raw and finish grinding in the cement manufacturing process.

  • Mechanical description of the different types of presses
  • Roll press equations and dimensioning
  • Circuit possibilities
  • Control concepts
  • Optimisation possibilities.

Module 5 – Conclusions

In the final module we will explore some of the latest innovations in grinding and milling technology.

Course Material

The course will be conducted on-line, allowing students flexibility (within the six-week period) to complete each module and associated exercises and quizzes at work or home. Students should expect to devote around 5+ hours per week/per module plus some additional time for private reading. A computer with standard internet access (broadband recommended) and email capabilities are necessary.

Throughout the course the lectures are supplemented with exercises allowing the course participants to relate the course material to their cement factories, or the cement factories of their clients in the case of equipment or service suppliers to the cement industry. Certification is achieved by completing a satisfactory level of exercises, and by end-of-module exams.

The course is complete with downloadable transcripts of the lectures, exercises, and reading material for the training record.