Laboratory tests were carried out to study the breakage kinetics of diasporic bauxite and determine its breakage distribution function. Non-first order breakage with different deceleration rates for different size intervals is found, which is most probably caused by the heterogeneity of the ore. Piecewise linearization method is proposed to describe the non-first order breakage according to its characteristics. In the method, grinding time is divided into several intervals and breakage is assumed to be first order in each interval. So, the breakage rates are calculated by taking the product of the last interval as feed and then established as a function of particle size and grinding time. Based on the predetermined breakage rate function, the breakage distribution of the ore is back-calculated from the experimental data using the population balance model (PBM). Finally, the obtained breakage parameters are validated and the simulated data are in good agreement with the experimental data. The obtained breakage distribution and the method for breakage rate description are both significant for modeling the full scale ball milling process of bauxite.
