Numerical study of particle segregation in a coal beneficiation fluidized bed by a TFM–DEM hybrid model: Influence of coal particle size and density

• A TFM–DEM hybrid model is introduced to describe the multiphase flow in CBFB.
• The fluidized carrier phases are modeled by TFM while coal particles by DEM.
• The validity of the model is proved by experimental results.
• Influence of coal particle size and density are mainly studied.
• Segregation mechanisms are explained by the hydrodynamic forces acting on particles.

Particle segregation behavior in a coal beneficiation fluidized bed (CBFB) is numerically studied using a TFM–DEM hybrid model, in which the gas and the dense solid phases are modeled using a Eulerian–Eulerian or two fluid model (TFM), while the beneficiated coal particles are modeled as a dilute phase by the discrete element method (DEM). For validation purpose, the numerical model was setup using geometric and operating conditions similar to a laboratory experimental model with the bed thickness set to one particle diameter to save computational cost. For a fixed gas injection velocity, the influence of particle size and density of the beneficiated samples was studied. It was found that the particles would segregate along the bed height due to the density differences with the degree of segregation being strongly influenced by particle size. Obvious segregation occurs for the coarse samples (6.7 mm and 4.3 mm) and little segregation occurs for the particles smaller than 3 mm. The flow patterns and segregation kinetics were qualitatively comparable with those observed in physical experiments conducted under similar conditions. On this basis, the underlying mechanisms governing particle segregation have been explained in terms of the hydrodynamic forces acting on individual particles. It was demonstrated that the segregation of coarse particles was mainly controlled by the balance between gravity and the local pressure force, while fine particles were more strongly affected by the direct drag forces from the gas phase and the continuum solid phase, thus making them difficult to separate.