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.
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Advantages of Using a Circulation Attritor:
- Faster grinding with narrower particle size distribution
- Uninterrupted, large-scale production
- Excellent temperature control
- Simple and safe to operate
- Low maintenance and power consumption
Common Applications for Attritors:
- Paints, toners, inks
- Ceramics
- Agricultural flowables
- Food products
- Chocolate, confectionery
- Paper coatings, calcium carbonate, clay
- Chemicals
- Ferrites
- Metal oxides
- Minerals, ores, coal
- Chemicals
- Sulphur dispersions
“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-03A^ | Q-03B^^ | Q-2/ QL-2 | Q-6/ QL-6 | Q-15/ QL-15 | Q-25/ QL-25 | Q-50/ QL-50 | Q-100/ QL-100 |
| Grinding Tank Capacity (gals)* | 0.37 | 0.37 | 2.6 | 8.2 | 17 | 27.5 | 56 | 111 |
| Media Volume (gals)* | 0.30 | 0.30 | 2.2 | 7.5 | 15 | 25 | 50 | 100 |
| Recommended Holding Tank Capacity (gals) | 1 | 2 or 3 | 5 or 10 | 75 | 150 | 250 | 500 | 1,000 |
| HP** | 1 | 1 | 3-5 | 7.5-15 | 15-25 | 25-40 | 50-75 | 100-150 |
| Pumping Rate*** (gpm) | 0.4 | 0.4 | 3.5 | 11 | 22 | 35 | 70 | 130 |
| Total Height (A) | 42″ | 75″ | 82″ | 74″ | 86″ | 96″ | 120″ | 124″ |
| Base to Discharge Spout (B) | – | – | – | 32″ | 37″ | 43″ | 53″ | 59″ |
| Floor Space (W x D)**** | 29″27″ | 43″33″ | 44″49″ | 33″x46″ | 37″x53″ | 41″x60″ | 50″x70″ | 63″x78″ |
| Weight (lbs) w/o Media*** | 330 | 640 | 1500 | 1800 | 3000 | 4000 | 6500 | 9900 |
^Q-03A – Bench Top.
^^Q-03B – With gear pump, large holding tank and mounted on frame riser.
Circulation Attritors designated as “QL” include specially configured arms and disks for special applications.
*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.
