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Zimbabwe School of Mines: Mineral Processing Eng. A. Rungani

This document summarizes a module on mineral processing classification from the Zimbabwe School of Mines. It discusses factors that influence particle separation, including particle properties, fluid properties, and external forces. It also describes different types of classifiers, focusing on hydrocyclones. Key points about hydrocyclones are that they have no moving parts and separate feed into coarse and fine fractions based on particle size using water as the transport medium. Performance is affected by variables like cyclone diameter, feed pressure, vortex/spigot diameter, and solids concentration in the feed.

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184 views27 pages

Zimbabwe School of Mines: Mineral Processing Eng. A. Rungani

This document summarizes a module on mineral processing classification from the Zimbabwe School of Mines. It discusses factors that influence particle separation, including particle properties, fluid properties, and external forces. It also describes different types of classifiers, focusing on hydrocyclones. Key points about hydrocyclones are that they have no moving parts and separate feed into coarse and fine fractions based on particle size using water as the transport medium. Performance is affected by variables like cyclone diameter, feed pressure, vortex/spigot diameter, and solids concentration in the feed.

Uploaded by

Tatenda Sibanda
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ZIMBABWE SCHOOL OF MINES

MINERAL PROCESSING

2018 Module

Eng. A. RUNGANI
(Bsc HEN Metallurgical Eng- UZ & MIP-AU)
5.0 Classification
Learning outcomes

 have a knowledge and understanding of;

 factors influencing separation of particles

 hindered & free settling and how this influences


the separation of particles

 hydrocyclone as a classification device

 factors affecting cyclone performance


Classification

- Particles of various sizes, shapes and


specific gravities are separated by being
allowed to settle in a fluid.
factors influencing separation

 What factors influence the separation of the


particles

 Factors relating to the properties of the


particles
 Factors relating to the property of the
fluid (e.g. water, air or dense medium)
 External acceleration forces (gravity,
centrifugal forces)
 Flow regime (e.g. laminar or turbulent)
factors influencing separation

 Factors relating to the particle properties

 size (equivalent diameter)


 density
 shape of particle
 surface roughness
factors influencing separation

Factors relating to the property of the fluid


 viscosity

 % solids (relates to the viscosity of

fluid)
 stability of medium in fluid

 density of fluid
classification

 Classification - particles settling in a fluid

Two types of settling

 Free settling (no interference of flow patterns)

 Hindered settling (interference of flow patterns


flow of bodies through fluids

Laminar flow Turbulent flow


flow of bodies through fluids

 Terminal velocity (no acceleration)


 dv/dt = 0

 Equal-settling particles
- have the same terminal velocity in the
same fluid and force field
Classifiers

 Grouped as;
 Horizontal current &
 Vertical current
Settling cone
Mechanical classifier
Hydraulic classifier
Spiral classifier
Classification Cyclones
Hydroclones
hydrocyclone

 What is a classification cyclone?


 Static device (no moving parts)
 Purpose is to separate (classify) a feed
into a
 Coarse fraction
 Fine fraction
 On the basis of size
 Transport medium is water
hydrocyclone

 Terminology
 Hydrocyclone, classification cyclone and
cyclone used interchangeably
 Slurry – mixture of ore particles and water
 Feed – slurry being introduced into the
cyclone
 Overflow – contains the fine fraction
 Underflow – contains the coarse fraction
Cyclone components

1. Overflow elbow
2. Vortex finder
3. Inlet head
4. Barrel
5. Conical section
6. Spigot
factors affecting cyclone performance

 Cyclone diameter
 Feed pressure
 Vortex finder and spigot diameter
 Solids concentration in feed
factors affecting cyclone performance

Cyclone diameter

 Determines capacity
 Smaller cyclones
 High velocities and forces
 classify finer (other things being equal)
 d50c  Dcx
factors affecting cyclone performance

Feed pressure

 Flowrate of slurry determines feed


pressure
 Pressure  Flowrate
 Normal operating pressure = 85 kPa
factors affecting cyclone performance

Vortex finder and spigot diameter

 Sizes determine volumetric split of feed


fluid
 Water to underflow reduced by:
 spigot diameter 

 larger vortex finder

 higher pressures
factors affecting cyclone performance
Most important variable controlling its
performance
Optimum ~ 15% solids by
volume
practical aspects

 Underflow density
 high as possible - reduces amount of

bypassing
 affects cut-point

 Max 50% solids by volume


Compiled by: A. Rungani [email protected] +263778817943

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