knusning

Knusning is the process of reducing the size of a material by applying mechanical force, which fractures, deforms, or compacts its particles. The term is used across several disciplines, including mining and mineral processing, food technology, materials science, and medicine. In Scandinavian languages the noun knusning denotes the act of crushing and can also refer to crush injuries in a medical context.

In mining and mineral processing, knusning is the first stage of comminution. It uses crushers and mills to break ore into smaller pieces, enabling easier handling and subsequent grinding. Equipment includes jaw crushers, gyratory crushers, cone crushers, impact crushers, and various types of mills. The process is governed by factors such as feed size, hardness, moisture, energy consumption, and desired product size, with product metrics like particle size distribution and throughput.

In food processing, knusning describes crushing or grinding of ingredients such as grains, nuts, coffee, or spices, producing flour, meal, paste, or powder. Techniques range from mechanical mills and burr grinders to pestle-and-mortar methods, depending on the required texture and heat sensitivity.

In medicine, a crush injury is a traumatic event where a body part is subjected to high compressive forces, potentially causing bone fractures, tissue damage, and vascular injury. Treatment requires urgent assessment and imaging, followed by surgical or medical management as needed. Safety considerations in knusning operations commonly include dust generation, noise, heat, and wear of equipment.