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Wet Grinding Attritors: Production Mills

- Batch
- Circulation
- Continuous
How Batch Attritors Work
The Attritor is often referred to generically as an "internally agitated high energy media (ball) mill." Batch Attritors work ten times faster than ball mills, and are advantageous because they offer simple operation, rugged construction, and a compact design. To learn more, visit our Education Center.
Advantages of Using a Batch
Attritor:
Common
Applications/Industries:
- Ceramics
- Paper Coatings
- Cosmetics
- Glass frits
- Industrial Coatings
- Chocolate
- Chemicals
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- Metal
- Paint
- Pharmaceuticals
- Ferrite
- Ink
- Electronics
- Catalysts
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- Carbides
- Toner
- Plastic
- Rubber
- Confectionary
- Recycling
- Many Others
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"S" Series
Batch-type Production Attritors are designated as “S” (Standard). When specially configured arms are ordered as an option the model designation becomes “SL.” When a torque meter is added to a machine, a “T” is added to the model designation. Batch Attritors range in size from a 16-gallon gross tank capacity to a 600-gallon gross tank capacity and from a 5 HP motor to a 150 HP motor. These versatile and easy-to-maintain grinding mills have been successfully used in a variety of industries to grind everything from chocolate to tungsten carbide. In addition, Attritors can be produced to meet the requirements of even the most stringent applications such as the electronic ceramic market. For this application, Attritors are available with metal-free systems to assure a contamination-free environment.
Batch Attritors offer the advantage that the material can be inspected any time during the grinding cycle. Therefore, adjustments or formulation additions can be accomplished without stopping the machine.
Attritors are ideal for long-term, heavy-duty, semi- and fullyautomated production operations. They may also be used in conjunction with programmable controllers in highly sophisticated production environments.
ENGINEERING
DATA |
| ATTRITOR
MODEL |
S-5
|
S-10
|
S-15
|
S-30
|
S-50
|
S-100*
|
S-200
|
S-400
|
| Gross Tank Volume (gals) |
9
|
16
|
24
|
52
|
81
|
155
|
309
|
597
|
| Slurry
Capacity (gals) |
4-5
|
7-9
|
10-12
|
23-25
|
34-37
|
70-75
|
140-150
|
280-300
|
| Media Volume
(gals) |
5
|
9
|
12
|
25
|
37
|
75
|
150
|
300
|
HP |
3-5**
|
5-7.5
|
5-10
|
10-20
|
15-25
|
20-40
|
40-75
|
75-150
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Height***
|
79"
|
80"
|
83"
|
89"
|
97"
|
106"
|
121"
|
147"
|
Floor
Space
(W x D) |
34"x 63"
|
52"x42"
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52"x42"
|
61"x43"
|
74"x50"
|
82"x56"
|
88"x72"
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108"x80"
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| Machine
Weight (lbs) w/o media |
1500
|
1800
|
2200
|
3100
|
3500
|
5000
|
8800
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14,000
|
*These
specifications apply to all S-100 machines since 1987 when the machine
was
redesigned to have a larger capacity.
**Features variable speed drive motor.
***Varies according to motor HP.
Equipment can be built to CE specifications, if required. |
"SC" Series
For Tungsten Carbide Applications

100-SCT |
High density material such as tungsten carbide requires a specially designed heavy-duty Batch Attritor. The “SC” Series Attritor meets this special processing requirement. Available with tank capacities ranging from 7 gallons to 245 gallons and horsepowers ranging from 7.5 to 125, these powerful grinding mills feature a tapered tank to reduce load on the bottom arms for easy starting. A special lifter arm raises media and product off the bottom of the tank. Arms are sleeved with tungsten carbide to reduce wear and contamination.
The tank has a ball discharge valve and media discharge chute at the bottom for easy removal of media. A water-cooled cover with a floating teflon seal minimizes solvent loss.
The tungsten carbide Attritor is also available with an optional torque meter to precisely measure energy input for determining processing time.
A worm gear assembly attached to the tank allows the tank to be tilted. In this position, the shaft and arms can be easily removed and/or inspected and the grinding media changed, if necessary. All models come complete with a pumping system which is used to circulate material during grinding and to discharge product.
ENGINEERING
DATA |
| ATTRITOR
MODEL |
SC-5
|
SC-10
|
SC-15
|
SC-30
|
SC-50
|
SC-75
|
SC-100
|
SC-150
|
SC-200
|
| Gross Tank Volume
(gals) |
7
|
12
|
20
|
42
|
62
|
87
|
117
|
161
|
245
|
| Slurry
Capacity (gals) |
2.5-3.5
|
4-6
|
7-9
|
18-20
|
25-28
|
35-39
|
45-50
|
68-75
|
90-100
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| Media Volume
(gals) |
3
|
5
|
8
|
18
|
26
|
37
|
47
|
71
|
94
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| HP |
7.5*
|
10
|
15
|
20
|
30
|
40
|
50
|
75
|
125
|
| Height |
73"
|
86"
|
86"
|
92"
|
98"
|
102"
|
104"
|
118"
|
126"
|
| Floor
Space (W x D) |
36"x 64"
|
59"x42"
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59"x42"
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65"x48"
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72"x54"
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78"x55"
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83"x56"
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89"x64"
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94"x72"
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| Machine
Weight (lbs) w/o media |
1700
|
2400
|
2700
|
3700
|
4600
|
5000
|
6500
|
8900
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11,000
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*Features variable speed drive
motor.
Equipment can be built to CE specifications, if required. |
How Circulation Attritors
Work
The circulation grinding Attritor ("Q" machine) is a combination of an Attritor and a large holding tank which is generally about ten times the size of the Attritor. The unique principle of the "Q" Attritor is the high circulating (pumping) rate, which results in a faster grind and a narrower particle size distribution. To learn more, visit our Education Center.
Advantages of Using a Circulation
Attritor:
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Faster grinding with
narrower particle size distribution
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Uninterrupted, large-scale
production
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Excellent temperature
control
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Simple and safe to operate
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Low maintenance and
power consumption
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Common Applications for
Attritors:
|
-
Chemicals
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Ferrites
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Metal oxides
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Minerals, ores, coal
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Sulphur dispersions
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Q-100 |
"Q" and "QL" Series
The circulation Attritor is used for difficult to grind and disperse materials and for the ultimate in micron size and quality. The main advantage of the “Q” series is the very narrow particle size distribution that can be achieved.
Large quantities of material can be ground with a smaller investment of grinding media and Attritor equipment. The slurry can be continuously monitored. Additional ingredients can be added to the premix tank at any time during the grinding, with sensitive materials being added near the end of the grinding cycle. Excellent temperature control is possible, since the slurry spends only 20-30 seconds in the grinding chamber and has plenty of time to be stabilized in the holding tank.
“Q” series Attritors are available in sizes ranging from the laboratory size Q-2 model up to the large-scale production model Q-100. For very large production, several Q-100 Attritors can be hooked up to a single holding tank.
Circulation Attritors designated as “QL” include specially configured arms and disks for special applications and increased performance.
A variety of accessories meeting different conditions, from cover seals for a totally enclosed system to metal-free systems, are available.
ENGINEERING
DATA |
| ATTRITOR
MODEL |
Q-6/QL-6
|
Q-15/QL-15
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Q-25/QL-25
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Q-50/QL-50
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Q-100/QL-100
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| Grinding
Tank Capacity (gals)* |
8.2
|
17
|
27.5
|
56
|
111
|
| Media
Volume (gals)* |
7.5
|
15
|
25
|
50
|
100
|
| Recommended
Holding Tank Capacity (gals) |
75
|
150
|
250
|
500
|
1,000
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| HP** |
7.5-15
|
15-25
|
25-40
|
50-75
|
100-150
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| Pumping
Rate*** (gpm) |
11
|
22
|
35
|
70
|
130
|
| Total
Height (A) |
74"
|
86"
|
96"
|
120"
|
124"
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| Base to
Discharge Spout (B) |
32"
|
37"
|
43"
|
53"
|
59"
|
| Floor
Space (W x D) |
33"x46"
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37"x53"
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41"x60"
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50"x70"
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63"x78"
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| Weight
(lbs) w/o Media |
1800
|
3000
|
4000
|
6500
|
9900
|
Dimensions and weights
are approximate.
*Less for lined tanks.
**With high density media larger than 3/16", and with QL models, higher horsepower is required.
***Pumping rate is somewhat lower with ceramic grinding media or higher viscosity slurries.
****Dimensions and weights are for complete system.
Equipment can be built to CE specifications, if required. |

Laboratory Model (Q-2)
The laboratory Attritor model Q-2 comes complete with variable speed drive motor, tachometer, 5 or 10 gallon stainless steel jacketed holding tank with anchor stirrer and high speed mixer. Cover seals for completely sealed system are available. The stainless steel grinding chamber can be lined with alumina, zirconium oxide, silicon nitride, silicon carbide, food-grade rubber, polyurethane, or Tefzel®. Agitator arms can be stainless steel, plastic, tungsten carbide, or zirconium oxide. For complete metal-free systems, the holding tank can be HALAR® or nylon coated. Variable speed pump – gear, lobe, or air – is provided. Complete slurry lines (stainless steel or plastic) with valve and quick disconnects are provided. Special instrumentation can be added if so desired.
How Continuous Attritors
Work
The continuous Attritor is a compact vertical design suitable for continuous production of large quantities of materials. Advantages of using a continuous Attritor include continuous large production, fastest grinding and processing, excellent temperature control, simple and safe operation, and low power consumption. To learn more, visit our Education Center.
Advantages of Using a Continuous Attritor:
- Continuous large production
- Fastest grinding and processing
- Excellent temperature control
- Simple and safe to operate
- Low maintenance and power consumption
Common Applications for
Attritors:
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Minerals, ores, coal
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Paints, toners, inks
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Ceramics
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Food products
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Chocolate, confectionery
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Paper coatings, calcium carbonate, clay
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Metal oxides
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Agricultural flowables
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Chemicals
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"C/H" Series
Continuous Attritors are best suited for the continuous production and fast grinding of large quantities of material. They are designed to deliver hours of low-cost, maintenance-free operation. The basic model features a system that does not require an expensive shaft seal.
Continuous Attritors come in two basic types, “C” and “H” series. The “C” series runs at lower RPMs and generally uses a larger grinding media of 5mm – 10mm diameter. The “H” series runs at higher RPMs and utilizes smaller media of 1mm – 3mm.
Both C and H type Attritors are available in sizes ranging from the large scale production model C/H-100 to the laboratory size C/H-3 and C/H-5 models.
The laboratory size continuous Attritor models are designed to reliably test and scale-up to production-size continuous Attritors. They can also be used to produce small quantities for developmental purposes.
A variety of accessories are available to meet different process conditions including special models with all stainless steel wetted parts.

C-60 Continuous Attritor |

C-5 Continuous Attritor |
Standard Features
- Special 450% starting torque, 2-speed, 2-winding motors for easy startup
- Standard (TEFC) or explosion-proof electric motor and controls
- Grinding tank (304SS) jacketed for heating or cooling
- 90° tank tilt for shaft removal and easy cleaning
- 4140 steel shaft with hardened tool steel agitator arms
- Media discharge valve
- Choice of variable-speed gear pump or air diaphragm pump
Tank and Arm Options
- Alumina-lined grinding tank
- Rubber-lined grinding tank
- Tungsten carbide sleeved agitator arms
- Zirconium oxide sleeved agitator arms
- Polyurethane sleeved agitator arms
- 440C stainless steel arms
ENGINEERING
DATA |
| ATTRITOR
MODEL |
C-3/H-3
|
C-5/H-5
|
C-10/H-10
|
C-20/H-20
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C-40/H-40
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C-60/H-60
|
C-100/H-100
|
| Grinding
Tank (gals) |
3.7
|
6.0
|
14
|
27
|
49
|
79
|
133
|
| Media
Volume (gals) |
3.3
|
5.5
|
11
|
22
|
44
|
66
|
110
|
| HP |
3-5
|
5-7.5
|
10-15
|
20-30
|
40-60
|
60-100
|
100-150
|
| Total
Height (A) |
88"
|
88"
|
104"
|
114"
|
129"
|
149"
|
166"
|
| Intake
Height (B) |
12"
|
12"
|
12"
|
17"
|
17"
|
17"
|
18"
|
| Discharge
Height (C) |
42"
|
48"
|
57"/54"
|
71"/72"
|
83"/81"
|
90"
|
96"/91"
|
| Floor
Space (W x D) |
20"x 40"
|
29"x48"
|
50"x40"
|
52"x52"
|
58"x60"
|
62"x62"
|
66"x66"
|
| Weight (lbs) w/o media |
1600
|
1900
|
3600
|
4000
|
6500
|
9500
|
14,500
|
C-150, C-200 and CLS Series available on request.
(DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS ARE APPROXIMATE)
Equipment can be built to CE specifications, if required. |
Special Options
- All models can be equipped with a torque meter to precisely measure energy expended in the grinding chamber.
- Stationary arms can optionally be fitted into the tank wall in configurations best suited for your specific application. These arms are removable/interchangeable.
- Baffles and special linings can be fitted or coated on the tank walls to increase the life of the tank in applications such as power plants and mining when maintenance must be kept to a minimum.
- Variable speed drive motor systems.
- Cover and shaft seals for grinding in a closed (pressurized) system.
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