Separation characteristics of centrifugal fluidized separator using binary density system

Abstract

Centrifugal fluidised separators play an important role in separating fine-size minerals during the beneficiation process by augmenting the gravity-assisted differential density-dependent settling process by externally applied centrifugal force. To develop a comprehensive understanding of the separation characteristics of a centrifugal fluidised separator, synthetic binary density test systems comprising of quartz and hematite were used. A semi-batch Falcon concentrator was used. The parameters of prime importance identified for this study are rotation speed, fluidising water flow rate and particle size. A set of experiments was performed and responses were measured in terms of mass recovery of hematite particles and separation efficiency. An attempt was made to develop an understanding for the separation characteristics of the concentrator by mathematical formulation. Parametric studies of separation performance were performed both experimentally and through mathematical formulations. Settling velocity, surface minimum fluidisation velocity and critical minimum fluidisation velocity were estimated for the binary density system and experimental response were examined with the help of estimated velocities.