Device and method for comminuting materials

A device for fragmenting particles, the device comprising:

• a throwing wheel rotatable in a first direction and operable to receive the particles for accelerating and directing the particles from a periphery of the throwing wheel along a particle trajectory;
• an impact rotor positioned above and having a peripheral impact surface positioned concentrically about the throwing wheel, the peripheral impact surface further comprising a plurality of impact teeth extending therefrom and aligned substantially perpendicular to the particles'trajectory;
• the impart rotor rotatable in a second direction opposite to the throwing wheel for increasing an impact speed of the particles and fragmenting the particles when the particles collide with the impact teeth;
• a first motor directly coupled to the impact rotor and operable to power the impact rotor, the first motor being mounted above the impact rotor, and
• a second motor directly coupled to the throwing wheel and operable to power the throwing wheel, the second motor being mounted below the throwing wheel.