What is dry grinding?

Dry grinding refers to a type of grinding method that uses hard abrasives to process materials without the addition of any liquid medium. Common dry grinding equipment includes ball mills, high-pressure roller mills, and grinding machines.
This technique is mainly used to grind dry materials such as plastics, metals, ceramics, minerals, and more. The general steps of dry grinding are as follows:
Pre-processing:
Pre-treat the material to be ground, such as removing impurities and adjusting the particle size.
Loading:
Load the pre-processed material into the dry grinding equipment, such as ball mills, sand mills, etc.
Grinding:
Start the dry grinding equipment to grind the material. In the grinding process, some grinding agents, such as steel balls and sand, are usually added to help grinding and reduce equipment wear.
Monitoring:
During the grinding process, it is necessary to monitor the grinding status of the material, such as particle size and moisture content.
Classification:
After grinding, it is necessary to classify the material according to different particle sizes, in order to facilitate subsequent use.
Post-processing:
Perform post-processing on the classified material, such as drying and packaging, for storage and transportation.
It should be noted that the specific grinding steps and operation details may vary depending on the dry grinding equipment and material used, and adjustments should be made based on the actual situation. In addition, safety issues such as dust prevention, fire prevention, and explosion prevention should also be considered during dry grinding.
What is wet grinding?

Wet grinding refers to a method of grinding materials with the addition of liquid media. Common liquid media include water, alcohol, and oil. Equipment for wet grinding includes ball mills, sand mills, and three-roll mills.
This technique is mainly used for grinding wet materials such as ceramics, minerals, chemicals, and food. The general steps for wet grinding are as follows:
Pre-processing:
Pre-process the material to be ground, such as removing impurities and adjusting particle size.
Mixing:
Mix the pre-processed material with the grinding medium (such as water, organic solvent, etc.) evenly.
Grinding:
Add the mixed material and medium into the wet grinding equipment, such as ball mills, sand mills, etc. During the grinding process, the material will be ground together with the grinding medium, making the material finer.
Classification:
After grinding, the material and grinding medium need to be separated. Classification equipment such as sieves is usually used for this purpose.
Filtration:
During the wet grinding process, some fine particles or impurities may be produced, which need to be filtered out.
Energy-saving treatment:
The grinding medium should be recycled and treated for energy conservation to achieve economic and environmental benefits.
It should be noted that the specific grinding steps and operational details may vary for different wet grinding equipment and materials and should be adjusted according to the actual situation. In addition, safety issues such as leakage prevention, explosion prevention, and pollution prevention should also be considered during the wet grinding process.
Are dry grinding and wet grinding important?
Both dry grinding and wet grinding are important methods in the field of grinding technology, and they have wide applications in different products and industries. Through continuous research and innovation, the dry grinding and wet grinding techniques are constantly developing and improving, and their importance is reflected in the following aspects:

Grinding efficiency:
Dry grinding and wet grinding can both make materials smaller, thereby increasing the surface area and reaction rate of materials, improving product quality and yield.
Resource utilization:
Dry grinding and wet grinding can both increase the surface area of raw materials, thereby improving material utilization, reducing production costs, and saving resources.
Application range:
Dry grinding and wet grinding can be applied to different types of materials and products, such as metals, ceramics, chemicals, food, etc.
Technological development:
Dry grinding and wet grinding are commonly used methods in the field of grinding technology. Their development and application can promote the development of grinding technology and drive the progress and development of related industries.
Application and cost comparison between dry grinding and wet grinding

Application | Cost | |
dry grinding | Chemical products: Such as pigments, dyes, paints, resins, etc. Food processing: Such as coffee beans, nuts, spices, etc. Building materials: Such as cement, bricks, glass, ceramics, etc. Mineral processing: Such as metal ores, coal, limestone, gypsum, etc. Pharmaceutical preparation: Such as medicinal herbs, chemical substances, etc. | In general, dry grinding has lower costs because it doesn’t require the use of water or other liquids, and there is no need for additional equipment to clean and treat wastewater. Dry grinding equipment is relatively inexpensive, easy to maintain, and operate. However, dry grinding consumes more energy, and the dust generated during grinding may pose a threat to the environment and employee health. |
Dry grinding technology has extensive applications in various industries and fields, which can be used to improve product quality and production efficiency.
Application | Cost | |
wet grinding | Food processing: Such as chocolate, cheese, jam, and other food products that require high shear force. Cosmetics preparation: Such as emulsions, creams, lipsticks, and other cosmetics that require fine grinding. Pharmaceutical preparation: Such as ointments, pastes, and other pharmaceuticals that require fine grinding. Paint preparation: Such as paint, putty, ink, and other coatings that require fine grinding. Environmental protection product preparation: Such as water treatment chemicals, graphite, etc. | In comparison, wet grinding has higher costs because it requires the use of water or other liquids for grinding, additional equipment for treating wastewater, and more energy consumption. Wet grinding equipment is relatively expensive and requires more manpower for operation and maintenance.However, wet grinding can obtain higher quality and finer grinding products, with a smaller impact on the environment and employee health compared to dry grinding. |
Wet grinding is typically used for products that require high-precision grinding, especially those that need to be ground at low particle sizes. It can improve the quality and yield of the product, and reduce the heat and mechanical wear during the grinding process.
Things to consider when performing dry and wet grinding:
During the grinding process, both dry and wet grinding have some potential dangers and things to be aware of.
Potential Risks | Things to Consider | |
Dry grinding | The dust generated during the process can easily be inhaled into the respiratory system, causing occupational lung diseases and other health problems. It requires a large amount of energy consumption. | Use of dust protection equipment and respirators to prevent dust hazards. Electrical safety and fire risk should also be taken into consideration during the operation. |
Wet grinding | The process may generate gas and odor. Hazards related to water. | Pay attention to electrical safety and prevent water damage during the operation. Ventilation and exhaust should be considered. |