An open-ended grinding mill (1) includes a drum (2) including a cylindrical shell (3), wherein the longitudinal axis (4) of the drum is arranged in a substantially horizontal position in a use position of the grinding mill (1). The drum (2) includes a first end (5) at the feed end of the shell and a second end (6) at the discharge end of the shell. The grinding mill further includes a bearing (8) supporting the drum at the second end, and a support structure (9) to connect the drum (2) to the bearing (8). The support structure is configured to provide a wall external to the shell, whereby the shell and the support structure provide a double-wall structure separating the bearing from the inside of the drum.

An open-ended grinding mill (1) includes a drum (2) including a cylindrical shell (3), wherein the longitudinal axis (4) of the drum is arranged in a substantially horizontal position in a use position of the grinding mill (1). The drum (2) includes a first end (5) at the feed end of the shell and a second end (6) at the discharge end of the shell. The grinding mill further includes a bearing (8) supporting the drum at the second end, and a support structure (9) to connect the drum (2) to the bearing (8). The support structure is configured to provide a wall external to the shell, whereby the shell and the support structure provide a double-wall structure separating the bearing from the inside of the drum.

An active/resilient grinding media inside a tube containing a sample is oscillated rapidly by a homogenizer so that the active media is driven in a first direction until it impacts a first end of the tube, which causes it to deform and store an energy charge as it decelerates and stops, and it then accelerates rapidly in the second opposite direction under the discharging force of the stored energy toward the opposite second end of the tube. This cycle of the active media decelerating/charging and then discharging/accelerating is repeated throughout the entire oscillatory processing of the sample. The result is much higher velocities of the active media and therefore much greater impact forces when the sample and active media collide, producing increased efficiency in disruption and size-reduction of the sample particles.

An active/resilient grinding media inside a tube containing a sample is oscillated rapidly by a homogenizer so that the active media is driven in a first direction until it impacts a first end of the tube, which causes it to deform and store an energy charge as it decelerates and stops, and it then accelerates rapidly in the second opposite direction under the discharging force of the stored energy toward the opposite second end of the tube. This cycle of the active media decelerating/charging and then discharging/accelerating is repeated throughout the entire oscillatory processing of the sample. The result is much higher velocities of the active media and therefore much greater impact forces when the sample and active media collide, producing increased efficiency in disruption and size-reduction of the sample particles.

A rotary milling system includes a body rotatable about its longitudinal axis and pivotable about a pivot axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis. The system includes an interchangeable discharge grate and a solid cover for attaching to an open end of the body. The discharge grate includes a plurality of holes through which milled product can pass while grinding media is retained. The body is pivotable to a vertical orientation, where the covers can be changed, and to a horizontal orientation where grinding can be performed with the solid cover attached or discharge can be performed with the discharge grate attached. The discharge grate is sealed to a discharge housing during discharge via an annular seal, where the discharge grate and body are rotated relative to the fixed discharge housing. The discharge grate can include a deflector portion that deflects milled product away from the annular seal.

A rotary milling system includes a body rotatable about its longitudinal axis and pivotable about a pivot axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis. The system includes an interchangeable discharge grate and a solid cover for attaching to an open end of the body. The discharge grate includes a plurality of holes through which milled product can pass while grinding media is retained. The body is pivotable to a vertical orientation, where the covers can be changed, and to a horizontal orientation where grinding can be performed with the solid cover attached or discharge can be performed with the discharge grate attached. The discharge grate is sealed to a discharge housing during discharge via an annular seal, where the discharge grate and body are rotated relative to the fixed discharge housing. The discharge grate can include a deflector portion that deflects milled product away from the annular seal.

In a method for detaching a frozen charge from an inner wall of a grinding tube of a tube mill, a motor of a drive system is operated in a first mode to rotate the grinding tube for grinding. In a second mode, the motor of the drive system is operated to remove the frozen charge from the inner wall of the grinding tube such that operation of the motor to effect a rotational movement of the grinding tube is repeatedly disturbed by a disturbance signal to cause a repeated disturbance within a variable time interval, with the time interval of the repeated disturbance being shortened.

In a method for detaching a frozen charge from an inner wall of a grinding tube of a tube mill, a motor of a drive system is operated in a first mode to rotate the grinding tube for grinding. In a second mode, the motor of the drive system is operated to remove the frozen charge from the inner wall of the grinding tube such that operation of the motor to effect a rotational movement of the grinding tube is repeatedly disturbed by a disturbance signal to cause a repeated disturbance within a variable time interval, with the time interval of the repeated disturbance being shortened.

A lifting wall arrangement at an end wall of a drum mill, having a plurality of segments which are removably installable on the end wall. Each segment includes an inner wall and an opposing outer wall. At least one lifting blade is arranged on the outer wall, such that the outer wall, the lifting blade and the inner wall define a discharge channel leading to a discharge cone. The inner wall forms a part of a sieving wall in the drum mill. Each segment constitutes an integrated unit adapted to be installed on the end wall. Other embodiments include a segment of a lifting wall arrangement and a drum mill having a lifting wall arrangement.

A lifting wall arrangement at an end wall of a drum mill, having a plurality of segments which are removably installable on the end wall. Each segment includes an inner wall and an opposing outer wall. At least one lifting blade is arranged on the outer wall, such that the outer wall, the lifting blade and the inner wall define a discharge channel leading to a discharge cone. The inner wall forms a part of a sieving wall in the drum mill. Each segment constitutes an integrated unit adapted to be installed on the end wall. Other embodiments include a segment of a lifting wall arrangement and a drum mill having a lifting wall arrangement.