Selecting a lump breaker for gross size reduction
A generally overlooked area of size reduction is that relating to the deagglomeration and gross size reduction of dry flowable products. A large number of operations in the food, chemical, feed and grain, rubber, glass, soap, and many other industries cause lumps to form in the product during retention, storage, and processing. To reduce the particle size to the required final sizing, a lump breaker must be used. This article discusses factors to help engineers select an appropriate lump breaker.
A lump breaker is used where material agglomeration has taken place or where the original particle size of the material is too large. Because of its comparative slow operating speed, this type of gross size reduction equipment generally reduces the size of the product without generating too many fines.