Abstract: 　The high energy consumption issue in the grinding process has emerged as a critical bottleneck restricting the sustainable development of the mineral processing industry.To address this challenge,a systematic study was conducted on the energy-saving mechanisms and industrial application potential of nano-ceramic balls as a novel grinding medium.Research findings indicate that:in the production phase,the full-life cycle carbon emission intensity of nano-ceramic balls is reduced by over 40% compared to traditional steel balls;In terms of grinding kinetics,their expanded motion trajectory range enhances ki netic energy conversion efficiency by 150%,while the high-frequency low-impact collision mode effectively mitigates over crushing,reducing specific grinding energy consumption between 35% to 70%.With their superior properties of high hardness, high strength,and low wear,ceramic balls achieve comprehensive energy and medium cost reductions exceeding 50% in both ferrous and non-ferrous metal mines.However,current ceramic ball grinding technology still faces limitations such as insuffi cient density,poor compatibility with mill structures,and inadequate process chain coordination.By developing high-density ce ramic balls (3.8~5.7 g/cm3),designing next-generation lightweight energy-saving mills,and establishing a new low-carbon comminution process,ceramic ball grinding could become the core of next-generation low-carbon crushing technology,doubling energy efficiency and significantly reducing crushing costs.

Key words: nano-ceramic balls,grinding mechanism,energy conservation and consumption reduction,grinding mill