Eriez has pioneered magnetic separation techniques to improve grinding circuit efficiency in mineral processing plants.

The Trunnion Magnet System bolts directly to the ball mill discharge flange to provide continuous magnetic collection of the grinding ball fragments. A permanent magnetic circuit collects the grinding ball fragments and discharges them to a collection hopper.

Steel fragments from broken grinding balls that discharge from ball mills cause extreme wear to downstream processing equipment like sumps, pumps, hydrocyclones and interconnecting piping. These grinding ball fragments contribute very little to the grinding process while consuming power.

The system consists of the blind trommel, magnet sector, support structure and the discharge hopper.

The blind trommel is a short extension that bolts directly to the discharge flange of the ball mill. The function of the blind trommel is to transport the mill discharge material through the magnetic field. The blind trommel is fabricated from stainless steel and has an abrasion resistant wear liner. The magnet sector is comprised of permanent magnets and has an approximate 200-degree arc. This magnetic arc is mounted on a steel support pedestal and is positioned around the blind trommel. The permanent magnets are enclosed in stainless steel canisters and incorporate a steel backbar for support and projection of the magnetic field. The discharge hopper and support structure are positioned just inside the blind trommel to collect the grinding ball fragments. The hopper collects the grinding ball fragments as they rotate past the end of the magnetic sector at the top of the blind trommel.

Several variations and modifications of the Trunnion Magnet system are available for any specific application.