964 OPERATIONS INVOLVING PARTICULATE SOLIDS

the product, sPiv.- By Eq. (28.1), sp/vp = 6(ifl,DP, from which it follows that
p K,
(29.8)
;;= JD:,
where K, is a constant that depends on the type of machine and on the material
being crushed. This is equivalent to a solution of Eq. (29.7) with n = 1.5 and a
feed of infinite size. To use Eq. (29.8), a work index W, is defined as the gross
energy requirement in kilowatthours per ton (2000 lb) of feed needed to reduce a
very large feed to such a size that 80 percent of the product passes a 100-}lm
screen. This definition leads to a relation between K, and W,. If DP is in millimeters,
p in kilowatts, and min tons per hour,

K, = j100 x 10- 3 W, = 0.31621¥, (29.9)

If 80 percent of the feed passes a mesh size of Dpa millimeters and 80 percent
of the product a mesh of DP, millimeters, it follows from Eqs. (29.8) and (29.9) that

~- ~)
ti; = 0.31621¥, ( yDp, (29.10)
yDpa
The work index includes the friction in the crusher, and the power given by Eq.
(29.10) is gross power.
Table 29.1 gives typical work indexes for some common minerals. These data
do not vary greatly among different machines of the same general type and apply

TABLE 29.1
Work indexes for dry crusbingt or wet grinding~

Material Specific gravity Work index, W;

Bauxite 2.20 8.78

Cement clinker 3.15 13.45
Cement raw material 2.67 10.51
Clay 2.51 6.30
Coal 1.4 13.00
Coke 1.31 15.13
Granite 2.66 15.13
Gravel 2.66 16.06
Gypsum rock 2.69 6.73
Iron ore (hematite) 3.53 12.84
Limestone 2.66 12.74
Phosphate rock 2.74 9.92
Quartz 2.65 13.57
Shale 2.63 15.87
Slate 2.57 14.30
Trap rock 2.87 19.32

t For dry grinding, multiply by!.

t From Allis-Chalmers, Solids Processing Equipment Div., Appleton,
Wisconsin, by permission.