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By F. Ngoroma

Concentrators processing PGM bearing ores make use of polysaccharide depressants to reduce the recovery of the undesired naturally floatable gangue minerals, mainly silicates, present in the ore. Recent work has shown that high depressant dosages can completely depress naturally floatable gangue and thus prevent it from reporting to the concentrate. These high depressant dosages can, however, have a negative effect on the recovery of valuable minerals present in the ore by reducing the stability of the froth. In order to counterbalance the effects of depressant addition, frothers are added. It is, however, preferable to maintain independent control over bubble size and froth stability which is difficult to achieve with only one frother. An alternative strategy is, to use a blend of frothers, e.g. a weaker frother in combination with a stronger frother. Such a system allows an additional degree of freedom: changing the ratio of the two frothers, that would provide more independent control of bubble size and froth stability. This study demonstrates, through the use of batch flotation tests, how blending low molecular weight alcohols with commercially available frothers impact the solids and water recovery, as well as the valuable mineral recovery and concentrate grade in different PGM ores. Higher water and solids recoveries together with higher valuable mineral recoveries (>90% copper and >70% nickel) were obtained from tests using frother blends.

Sep 1, 2012

By S. Liu

With the development of global economy, the demand of mineral?s quantity and quality are in-creased, valuable minerals are more and more finer and poorer, and the capacity of concentration plant are more and more high. Using large-scale flotation cells can obviously enhance the capacity of treating the mineral, reduce the cost, and increase the economic benefit and competitive ability for the enterprise. BGRIMM advanced advisable technical scheme with optimally parameter and route for the feature of dynamic in large scale flotation machine, and developed the KYF Large Scale Flotation Cells, which have used more than 400. The paper advanced the history, the design principle, the operating principle, the structure feature and the application of KYF flotation ma-chine.

Jan 1, 2014

By I. Yelkin, Erico Tabosa, Alex Jankovic, R. Hayashida, R. Faveere

"The mining industry faces growing challenges from more complex and lower grade deposits, rising costs, limited energy and water availability, and increasing societal pressure to operate more sustainably. Mining operations need to be more efficient, not just to reduce environmental impact, but also to remain economically viable.To maximize profitability and sustainability, existing operations and new projects must consider integration and optimization of all stages of production. A mining operation is essentially a series of inter-connected processes, with the performance and outputs of each stage affecting the subsequent ones. Optimizing stages in isolation can result in sub-optimal overall performance.The industry has long recognized the benefits of holistic optimization using the Mine-to-Mill concept, and there are many well documented successes. However, it is increasingly common to observe operations simply increasing explosive consumption in the mine and expecting optimization of the entire value chain (mining and processing). For true holistic optimization, blast intensity is not necessarily increased, but rather adjusted to best suit the requirements of the different types of ores treated, the circuit configuration and equipment, installed comminution power and the downstream beneficiation processes. It is a fully integrated effort with optimization of many aspects in the mine, comminution and separation processes.To be successful, optimization of the production chain from mine to process requires a site-specific, structured methodology supported by extensive ore characterization, auditing, surveys, data analysis, mathematical modelling simulations and a cost / benefit analysis. Following this methodology, optimization strategies are rapidly identified and implemented considering mine and plant constraints. Management needs to set up appropriate KPIs and site personnel need to be trained for the new operating strategies to be successfully incorporated into site practices and procedures in the production environment. This will ensure the benefits are achieved and maintained. This paper describes the methodology employed by Hatch to improve overall efficiency and profitability from mine to process. Two case study examples at Russian gold operations and benefits achieved are presented."

Jan 1, 2018

By M. Unesi, S. Haj Mohammadi, M. R. Abdoli, M. R. Garmsiri

"Hydrocyclone-thickener circuit is a promising solution to enhance the dewatering efficiency in mineral industries. The challenges in the circuit is reducing particle size in the thickener feed and the good feature is a rise in the retention time of sediments in the thickener. In this work, the effect of particle size, bed depth and residence time on the thickener performance were investigated. In this order, pilot scale columns were employed at Sarcheshmeh and Shahrebabak copper complexes. Furthermore, the influence of residence time was differentiated due to the variations in the bed depth and settling flux. Moreover, a new approach was introduced to estimate solids residence time in the thickener. results indicated that with smaller particles that are introduced to the column, the bed density as well as thickener discharge solids concentration dropped significantly. It was found that thickener discharge solids concentration fell from 59.6 to 33.8 % with reducing particle size from 130 to 22 µm in the settling flux of 20 t/m2/day. Additionally, it was found that longer residence time and deeper bed resulted in an increase in the thickener performance while the bed depth has a stronger effect. It was proved that employing a hydrocyclone prior to the thickener resuted in an increase in the dewatering efficiency.INTRODUCTION Thickeners are widely employed in mineral industries to recycle tailings and concentrate water content. A limited fraction of suspension water content is recycled using a thickener. For instance, about 50 percent of tailings water content could be recycled using a shallow bed thickener during copper processing. Since the scarcity of global water resources became more serious, the demand for improving dewatering efficiency in mineral industries became more significant [1]. A number of solutions were recommended to enhance dewatering efficiency of thickeners including optimization of current thickeners, employing deep bed thickeners and utilizing thickener-filter or hydrocyclone-thickener circuits. Optimization of existing thickeners is essential, however, it does not meet the significant demand for recycled water. The application of deep bed thickeners (known as paste thickeners) has been rising in the mineral industries [2] due to a higher dewatering efficiency while its costs is remarkable."

Jan 1, 2018

By Janusz S. Laskowski

The flotation-related properties of hexanol derivatives and mono-alkyl ethers of propylene oxide, which include many important flotation frothers (e.g. MIBC, DF-200, DF-250, DF-1012, etc.) have been studied. The obtained results show that the DFI (Dynamic Foamability Index) - CCC (Critical Coalescence Concentration) plot can be used to classify flotation frothers. The frothers characterized by low CCC and high DFI values have properties of strong flotation frothers, while those with high CCC and low DFI values are more selective. The proposed frother classification system, based on simple CCC and DFI measurements, provides, for the first time, a solid ground-work for characterization of the flotation frothers.

Jan 1, 2003

By S. Patra, R. Venugopal

"The quality of pellets produced is affected by quality anssastd quantity of green pellets, amount of addition of binders, type of binders added, amount of moisture added along with the other variables like rotation, inclination and fineness of feed. The green pellet quality depends upon chemistry, mineralogy and granulometry of fines used for pellet making, the feed size, its moisture content and porosity. During firing of green pellets ingredients present within reacts to form different phases and microstructure. So in turn physical and metallurgical properties of pellets are influenced by amount and type of binder and flux addition, induration time and temperature. During iron making process, the metallurgical properties of fired pellets are decided by the type and amount of these phases and their chemistry. Green pelletizing and induration studies have been already carried out with hematite ore fines. Indian iron ores of high alumina content showing different pelletizing characters, these studies can’t be directly interpreted. The main objective of proposed research work is to understand the green pelletizing process and determine the water bentonite interaction at different levels. Detailed investigation on swelling behavior of bentonite and microstructure of the green pellets of iron ore fines from SAIL captive iron ore fines from the Barsua in the state of Odisha. To convert these ore fines into pellets, the key raw material, additives and process variables that influence the pellet quality needs to be identified.INTRODUCTION Pelletization is the unit operation of agglomerating iron bearing fines (generally below 150µ with 65-80% passing 40µ) by tumbling in horizontal rotating drums or inclined discs, (Sivrikaya and Arol, 2013; Bhuiyan et al., 2011; Forsmo et al., 2006; Sastry et al., 2003) and the pellets are approximately spherical lumps formed by this process in presence of water and binder, on subsequent induration at 1300°c (Sivrikaya and Arol, 2014; Sivrikaya and Arol, 2013; Sivrikaya and Arol, 2012; Sivrikaya and Arol, 2010; Sastry et al., 2003; Kawatra and Ripke, 2003; Iveson, 2001a; Iveson, 2001b)."

Jan 1, 2018

By M. Saghaeian, R. Hejazi, M. Mohammadinejad, M. Zare

"Water quality and quantity at the Tailing Thickening Section of processing plants is considered to be a crucial factor and impacts the performance of several sections. Therefore, gaining stable and effective performance at the Tailing Thickener Section is one of the principal goals of minerals processing plants. Different factors such as: qualitative and quantitative sustainability of plant feed, the balance between the mass of input and output water flow, the dissolving method and distribution of flocculant and the amount of dirt, solid percent of thickener inlet pulp, affect the performance of Tailing Thickener. The present study investigates the successful improvement of Tailing Thickener performance at Jalal Abad Hematite Iron Ore Concentrate plant through optimizing the above operational parameters. For this purpose, the following optimizations have been done: homogeneity and sustainability of plant input feed rates, fine pulp removal collected by the bag filters at the input of the thickener, adding an quietness box before moving the tail pulp into the thickener to reduce the pulp turbulence, replacing flocculant pump and injection pipes, improving water mass balance which leads to optimizing and stabilizing the concentration of input tail pulp into the thickener, adding a mixer to increase the flocculant preparation time, increasing the locations for adding flocculant to thickener from 1 point to 6 points. Applying the above modifications and monitoring the Tailing Thickener performance over the course of months, has led to the improvement of recovered water quality from 500 ppm to 200 ppm, increasing the solid underflow of the thickener from 40% to 48.5%, and similarly, reducing water loss by 60%. Of other important effects, due to improvement of water quality, grade of final concentrate 0.5% increased and because of 73% increase in monthly working hour, concentrate tonnage 55% increased. Finally, sludge thickener optimization has had a significant effect in selecting and designing the dewatering system from the underflow of the sludge thickener."

Jan 1, 2018

The present study is devoted to improvement of the leaching efficiency during phosphorous removal from high phosphorous gravity-magnetic concentrate. Before leaching the concentrate has been subjected to roasting with the addition of either Ca(OH)2 or CaO. The oolitic iron ore is roasted at 900°C for one hour. This reflects in reaction between alkaline earth additive and quartz, aluminosilicates, phosphorus, and some other minor components of the gangue minerals. The application of leaching, physical separation, and wash out of salts has resulted in the decrease of phosphorus from 0.7 to 0.15 % and it is established that the major influencing factor is the concentration of acid and to a less extent duration of the leaching process. About two third of the phosphorus can be removed by roasting with 3 % CaO to hematite, coarse grinding to d50 0.3 mm, dry high intensity magnetic separation and leaching of the magnetic fraction with hydro-chloric or nitric acid.

Sep 1, 2012

By L. S. Gertsch

The production of minerals for human use at locations other than the Earth is expected to ?advance ? human prosperity in ? ways that [do] not compromise the potential prosperity and quality of life of future generations? (Brundtland, 1987); in other words, sustainably. This paper examines the interaction of extra-terrestrial mineral production (ETMP) with the following sustainability imperatives: ? The sustainability of human activities on Earth; ? The sustainability of human activities elsewhere; ? Human survival in general, the ultimate sustainability goal. Some of the consequences of mineral production on Earth are widely considered to decrease the future prosperity and quality of human life. Examples include noxious by-products or wastes and unsettling economic up- and downswings. Moving mineral production activities to extra-terrestrial locations, where appropriate, will decrease many of its deleterious effects. Terrestrial mineral production presently is decreasing in some countries and increasing in others, moving from the cheaper and easier ores to more expensive, difficult materials. When the full costs of maintaining the terrestrial environment in a sustainable manner are included, total mineral pro-duction costs must increase. The cost of extracting mineral products from extra-terrestrial sources will be substantially higher, especially in the initial phases, but as the full costs of terrestrial production increase, at some point in the future (different points for different minerals), the curves will cross (Fig.1). This will occur at different points for different materials, a process whose prediction will be complicated by substitution of cheaper materials for some uses as prices of the original material rise. In summary, mineral products from extra-terrestrial sources will tend to increase the sustainability of human civilization, once steady state has been reached.

Jan 1, 2014

By A. N. Zagorodnyaya

The results of research on recovery of ammonium perrhenate from by-products of lead production are presented in the article. For the first time in the world, rhenium marketable products were produced on lead plant of Kazakhstan. Distribution of rhenium in lead production has been studied. During oxidative agglomeration of lead charge, 67.43% rhenium is sublimated and at that, 67.27% rhenium is trapped by the dusts of a system of gas purification, out of them 6.21% is transferred into different solutions, 1.89% into slime and only 0.09% into exhaust. During agglomerate smelting, up to 72% of its rhenium is sublimated and condensed in the dusts also. At leaching stage of sulphate product under dusts processing by the method of sulphatization, 15% of its content in the dusts is transferred into solution. The sorption method on the ionite ?N-21 has been proposed for recovery of rhenium from the solutions of sulphatization. At the same time, rhenium recovery from the dusts into commodity was 13%. The method of direct hydrometallurgy - leaching the dusts by solutions of sulphuric acid under presence of manganous concentrates, has been proposed as alternative method of recovery. This method has allowed increasing recovery of rhenium and other metals from the dusts into solution up to 90%~95%. Rhenium solvent extraction by ??? has been proposed for recovery of rhenium from the leaching solutions. At that, extraction of rhenium into marketable product from the dusts is above 75%.

Jan 1, 2014

By Jie-Liang Wang, Yongdan Cao, Zhao Cao

"The effect of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) on flotation separation of fluorite from bastnaesite and its selectively depression mechanism on fluorite were studied by single mineral flotation, artificial mixed minerals flotation, solution chemistry analyses, Zeta potential and XPS measurements.The results show that fluorite can be deeply depressed by EDTA while the flotation of bastnaesite is almost unaffected when octanohydroxamic acid (OHA) is used as a collector. The separation index (SI) between bastnaesite and fluorite increases with the dosage of EDTA, SI can be raised from 1.18 to 12.66 when EDTA dosage increases from 0 to 2×10-3mol/L.Solution chemistry analyses show that EDTA is able to convert the Ca(OHA)2 hydrophobic precipitation on fluorite surface to a soluble Ca-EDTA complex but cannot complexly dissolve the Ce(OHA)3 precipitation on bastnaesite surface. Therefore, the Zeta potential of OHA conditioned fluorite can be reduced significantly by EDTA while the reduction degree to Zeta potential of bastnaesite is relatively low. XPS measurement shows that EDTA removes the chemically adsorbed OHA from fluorite surface but has little effect on the adsorbed OHA on bastnaesite surface. As a result, fluorite can be selectively depressed by EDTA in bastnaesite flotation, which behaves an important industrial application prospect in rare earth ore flotation.INTRODUCTIONNowadays, Rare earth elements (shortened as RE) and compounds are of significant importance for a range of rapidly expanding industrial applications including catalysis, metallurgy, renewable energy, and special materials due to their unique electrical, magnetic, optical and chemical properties [1]. The seventeen RE elements, including the lanthanide-group fifteen elements, yttrium and scandium, could be divided into three groups, i.e., light, medium and heavy RE elements based on the different solubility of RE sulfates [2]. Bastnaesite ((Ce,La)CO3), containing approximately 75% REO, is one of the most important light RE minerals [3]. Flotation is the common method to recover basetnaesite [4-6]. Nonetheless, basetnaesite is often associated with calcium-bearing gangue minerals such as fluorite, and the separation of basetnaesite and fluorite by flotation is usually difficult due to their similar surface properties and therefore floatability [7-9]. Therefore, research on high selective flotation reagents of bastnaesite over gangue minerals has attracted a lot of attention [10]."

Jan 1, 2018

By E. Scheepers

The process under investigation is the large-scale production of phosphorus. Gravity delivers the feed, consisting of pelletised apatite, coke and silica (in the form of gravel), to a submerged arc furnace through ten, evenly distributed feed chutes ensuring constant packed bed volume. Within this packed bed, solid-gas reactions are dominant in generating the gaseous product. These reactions, as well as the packed bed itself, were the main focus in the development of a fully three-dimensional CFD model in which fluid flow and energy distribution are represented as functions of chemical reactions, heating and melting of material and heat losses. The associated complex process interactions necessitated the creation of two process-specific, user-developed models that integrates accurate, thermodynamical data with computational fluid dynamics calculations, as well as reaction kinetics. The boundary conditions are provided by industrial measurements, and the key model parameters of reaction kinetics were obtained by laboratory experiments for different feed mixtures. Thirteen temperature probes installed inside the refractory lining of the furnace especially for this project allowed parameter fitting and validation to be guided within the constraints of real measurements. Simulation results reveal a thin, dome-shaped, reductive zone where conditions are optimum for maximum phosphorus recovery, as well as evidence of a thermal reserve zone similar to an ironmaking blast furnace located above this reduction zone. When compared to actual operating data, the CFD model can successfully predict the specific power consumption, the phosphorus in the slag and gaseous product flowrate under given operating conditions. This CFD model forms part of a larger project that aims to create a Dynamic-CFD hybrid control model.

Jan 1, 2014

Copper nickel separation is performed by mineral processing techniques both pre and post smelting in Copper Cliff at Vale Canada?s Operations. The separation at Clarabelle Mill takes advantage of the ore mineralogy to affect a separation on the rougher concentrate where chalcopyrite and pentlandite exhibit high liberation and high recoveries thus their separation is simple although incomplete. The copper concentrate comprises only 50% of the copper in ore with the remaining copper being separated post smelting in the Matte Separation plant where the slow cooled Bessemer Matte is again treated by mineral processing operations using flotation to separate the chalcocite and heazlewoodite and magnetic separators to remove a metallic nickel alloy. This paper discusses the mineralogy, separation processes and work currently underway to improve the separation of copper from nickel in these plants.

Sep 1, 2012

By M. Brozek

The constant of flotation velocity is the value characterizing the kinetics of cyclic flotation. In the statistical theory of flotation its value is the function of probabilities of collision, adhesion and tearing off the grain from the air bubble. The grain ? air bubble collision plays a key role since there must be a prior collision before the grain ? air bubble adhesion happens. The probability of such an event to occur is proportional to the relation of the grain diameter to the bubble diameter. When the grain sizes are given, it is possible to control the value of collision probability by means of the size of air bubbles. Consequently, it is significant to find the effect of physical and physicochemical factors upon the diameter of air bubbles in the form of a mathematical dependence. In the pneumo-mechanical flotation machine the air bubbles are generated by the blades of the rotor. The dispergation rate is affected by, among others, the rotor rotational speed, the amount of air transported to the flotation chamber an time and the liquid surface tension, depending on the type and number of applied flotation reagents. In the proposed paper the authors will present the distribution of air bubble diameters on the grounds of the above factors, according to the laws of thermodynamics. The correctness of the de-rived dependences will be verified empirically.

Jan 1, 2014

By X. Q. Chen

According to the different characters of the middle-low grade bauxite, based on the normal flotation & reverse flotation technology, the author innovates the new technology which is named bi-flotation, it integrates the advantages of normal flotation & reverse flotation, while avoids their disadvantages. Take Henan middle-low grade bauxite as research object, according to the pilot experiment of bi-flotation technology, the concentrate A/S is 9.37 and the recovery of alumina is 80.18% by flotation separate the raw ore which A/S is only 4.19.

Jan 1, 2014

By O. A. Bascur

It is difficult to analyse the economics without an integrated view of mine transactions, stockpile inventories, process flows and assays. The lack of integration of mining and metallurgical information with sufficient detail to analyse and act is a problem. However, to take action requires real time information from manufacturing assets, corrected for gross errors from trucks, shovels, conveyors, faulty sensors, bad instrument calibration. Validation methods use process models to identify inconsistent information in the case of corrupt actionable information. This paper presents new strategies that transform the data into business information for continuous improvement and optimization. This technical presentation will review recent implementations enabling large metallurgical complexes to improve their data quality for overall production and energy management. A competence center emerges as an enabler for implementing operational intelligence. The evolution of Web services to troubleshoot plant information and to collaborate at the enterprise level is presented.

Jan 1, 2014

By R. S. C. Smart

Surface chemical factors, including the balance of hydrophobic (e.g. collectors) and hydrophilic (e.g. oxidation products, precipitates) species, are major control determinants in flotation rates of specific minerals and therefore grade and recovery. There are a number of challenges involved with the surface analysis of different mineral phases from process streams in a flotation facility. The first is to collect samples that are representative of the process and retain their surface chemistry prior to introduction into the instrument. The second challenge in studying the surface chemistry of specific minerals is to find reliable methods of mineral phase recognition. In surface analysis of mineral particles, confident mineral selection can be difficult with many multi-metal minerals and with precipitated, adsorbed, reacted and contaminant species in the outermost molecular layers. The third challenge is to provide a statistical surface analysis of multiple grains of the same mineral. Methods to achieve these aims are described. Principal component analysis (PCA) of ToF-SIMS data provides improvement in phase recognition, particle selection and associated variations in surface species. Specific examples from both lab and plant operations, demonstrate that this technique can be utilized to differentiate surface chemical factors promoting (hydrophobic species) or inhibiting (hydrophilic species) flotation. A study of copper ion transfer (inadvertent activation) from chalcopyrite to pyrite and sphalerite clearly identified a statistical difference in copper intensities between the sphalerite and pyrite phases corresponding to their flotation response. The PCA analysis applied to concentrate and tails samples collected from the Inco Matte Concentrator demonstrated extensive CuOH and NiOH transfer between chalcocite and heazlewoodite minerals. The statistical analysis has been able to identify mechanisms controlling recovery and selectivity. High intensity conditioning (HIC) tests in which sphalerite was separated from a complex sulfide ore gave a 5% increase in the overall Zn recovery. The PCA/ToF-SIMS statistical analysis revealed the discriminating depressant action of adherent aluminosilicate (gangue) fine particles and adsorbed ions on the surface of sphalerite grains. HIC conditioning resulted in the removal of these gangue fines improving surface collector attachment efficiency.

Jan 1, 2014

Deposit of Jinbaoshan platinum group metals (PGMs) ore ranks the second in Yunnan province, China. Study on process mineralogy shows that the grade of copper and nickel in the ore is just 0.16% and 0.20% respectively. Moreover, the impurities magnesium and iron and silicon are rich in the ore. The copper and nickel sulfides in the ore, especially the minerals of PGMs, are finely disseminated with the gangues like serpentine. Fine grinding is necessary, and high content of MgO in the concentrate is inevitable through traditional flotation technology on the basis of process mineralogy studies. Achievements on process mineralogy studies are applied to guide the flotation tests successfully. Progress on flotation has been made through comprehensive studies. Suitable grinding by two stages is required for the finely disseminated PGM sulphide ore to achieve the liberation of valuable minerals. Stage grinding and stage separation shall be conducted for a better recovery of valuable minerals. The oxidation state of mineral surface of sulphides has a profound effect on flotation of the ultra-fine sulphides, especially the pentlandite. The combined use of collectors enhances the selective collecting on the ultra-fine and low-grade valuable minerals, is of critical importance.

Jan 1, 2014

By F. Boylu

In this study, Ca-bentonite was subjected to a series of systematic hydrocyclone tests with the aim of developing separation procedures and in turn achieving optimum recoveries. In hydrocyclone tests, vortex and apex diameters and also feed pressures were investigated. In each hydrocyclone set, vortex diameter was kept constant while the other two parameters varied to produce bentonites con-centrates of various smectite contents. The separation efficiencies were evaluated based on the cation exchange capacity (CEC), particle size and swelling index. The detailed hydrocyclone tests showed that, upgrading of Ca-bentonites require procedures different from the bentonites reported in the literature. Sodium and mixed bentonites are easy- to-disperse and easy-to-separate whereas calcium types need to be scrubbed rigorously for disintegration. Scrubbing properties of ca-bentonite were investigated as a function of scrubbing time and percent solids by weight (PS). The scrubbing conditions at 700 rpm for 1.5 hours and percent solids of 30 % were found more effective for achieving a better quality bentonite. In addition to the parameters mentioned above, the effect of percent solids on hydrocyclone separation was also studied. Although Ca-bentonites permit studying at higher percent solids, increasing solids content of the pulp deteriorated the quality of the clean products. Application of an appropriate separation scheme enabled the development of a unique separation procedure involving stage wise scrubbing followed by hydrocycloning which yielded calcium bentonite concentrates with CEC of 90 meq/100 g and high swelling indexes of 12 mL from the original bentonite of 65 meq/100 g and 7.0 mL, respectively. These results indicate that upgraded bentonite products can be conveniently used in various diverse industrial applications including bleaching earth, desiccant, cat litter, paper etc.

Jan 1, 2014

By A. K. Majumder

In an effort to test the extent to which fundamental fluid mechanics can provide a prediction of particle separation, a study on a simple parallel-sided sluice has been carried out using glass bead and ilmenite mixtures at various particle concentrations and flow rates. Great care was taken to devise a flow splitter at the end of the sluice that permitted accurate measurement of the fluid flow profile and collection of slurry samples, allowing evaluation of the particle species concentration profiles. The actual particle separation taking place was compared to predictions made by first describing the fluid flow by a modified ?law of the wall? model. The hydrostatic pressure variation in the flow was taken into account and the eddy viscosity was calculated from a mixing length expression incorporating Van Driest?s damping function. Using an average density and viscosity provides an explicit expression for the velocity gradient that can be numerically integrated for the flow profile. The particle concentration distributions were then modelled with Hunt?s sediment transport model assuming the particle eddy diffusion coefficient to be the same as that for the water. Hindered settling velocities of the particles were calculated using Brauer and Thiele?s formula, which takes the particle size and density distributions and solids volumetric concentration into account. The resulting predictions of particle separation are shown to be a strong function of the settling velocities of the particles used. Keywords: flowing film concentrators, fluid velocity

Sep 1, 2012