Special Application QL-100 Circulation Grinding Attritor from Union Process

Akron, Ohio. . . Union Process, a manufacturer of grinding and dispersing equipment for a broad range of industrial applications, recently produced a custom QL-100 Mill, a Circulation Attritor designed for specialty applications.

A large global specialty ink manufacturer contacted Union Process looking for an improved way to grind its viscous product efficiently. The customer had previously purchased several production-size S-200 batch mills and was now looking for additional milling solutions for handling larger batches. Lab tests were done at Union Process using a Q-2 lab mill once it was determined that the mill could handle the challenging application.

The customer later purchased a larger QL-6 mill to do pilot studies. After successful testing, the customer reviewed the parameters with Union Process and a special QL-100 was developed. The “Q” mills are high circulation, high flow mills distinguished by their high pumping rates, which result in a faster grind and a narrower particle size distribution. With the circulation process, the material makes multiple passes through the grinding chamber until the desired particle size is obtained.

This particular QL-100 was customized for the customer’s plant, which has lower than normal ceilings. The system also was designed totally sealed so the discharge could flow uphill rather than the typical gravity flow. Specially configured arms increase production. The QL-100 utilizes a media volume of 100 gallons with a recommended holding tank capacity of 1,000 gallons.