Crusher

Newcomen atmospheric engine animation

Portable Plant - Metso Nordberg HP300 Close Circuit Plant

Geevor waterwheel stamps

Rock crusher

Rock crusher jaws

Crusher refers to a machine designed to reduce large rocks into smaller rocks, gravel, sand, or rock dust. Crushers may be used to reduce the size, or change the form, of waste materials so they can be more easily disposed of or recycled, or to reduce the size of a solid mix of raw materials (as in rock ore), so that pieces of different composition can be differentiated. Crushing is the process of transferring a force amplified by mechanical advantage through a material made of molecules that bond together more strongly, and resist deformation more, than those in the material being crushed do.

Types of Crushers

Crushers are classified into three major types based on the stage of crushing they accomplish. These are (i) primary crusher, (ii) secondary crusher, and (iii) tertiary crusher. The primary crusher handles course materials while the secondary, tertiary and sometimes the quaternary works on finer gradations that can allow for effective extraction of minerals. Use of the term varies.

Primary Crushers

• Jaw Crusher: A heavy-duty machine that uses compressive force to break down large rocks into smaller pieces. It's typically used as a primary crusher in mining and quarrying operations.
• Gyratory Crusher: Similar to a jaw crusher, but with a conical head and a concave surface. It's used primarily in mineral processing for large, hard rock crushing.

Secondary Crushers

• Cone Crusher: A type of crusher that crushes materials by squeezing them between a gyrating spindle and a concave hopper. The rock is broken smaller by the squeezing action.
• Impact Crusher: Utilizes impact force to crush materials. Materials are contained within a cage, with openings on the bottom, end, or side of the desired size to allow pulverized material to escape.

Tertiary Crushers

• Roll Crusher: Consists of two or more heavy steel cylinders revolving towards each other, crushing the material between them.
• Hammer Mill: A high-speed machine that uses hammers and cutters to crush, grind, chip, or shred solid material.

Crushing Process

The crushing process involves transferring a force that is amplified by mechanical advantage through various materials. The initial force is provided by the material itself, which is subjected to a force causing deformation. Over time, the material breaks due to the application of this force, which is often delivered through crushing machinery designed specifically for various types of materials.

Applications

Crushers are used in a wide range of applications, including:

• Mining and Quarrying: For reducing ore and large rocks into smaller rocks, gravel, or rock dust.
• Construction: For demolition materials, to reduce the size of concrete blocks, and for preparing aggregates for use in construction.
• Recycling: To reduce the size of materials for recycling, improving the efficiency of the recycling process.

Safety and Environmental Considerations

Operating crushers requires attention to safety and environmental regulations. Proper training, protective equipment, and adherence to safety protocols are essential to prevent accidents. Additionally, dust and noise pollution are significant concerns in crusher operations, requiring the implementation of dust suppression and noise reduction technologies.

Crusher Resources
Latest articles Most recent articles Ongoing trials	Wikipedia