Studies on segregation of binary mixture of solids in continuous fast fluidized bed: Part III. Quantification of performance of the segregator

Segregation of particles due to difference in either size or density was studied in a continuous fast fluidized bed of 69 mm ID and 3.65 m height [1]. Binary feed mixtures of either flotsam-rich or intermediary or jetsam-rich mixtures were utilized for the study. The influence of the operating variables on the particles segregation was examined. All the considered feed mixtures, showed similar segregation effect even though the fluidization behavior of the binary mixtures differ [1] and [2]. Empirical correlations were suggested for the entrainment of solids and purity of the top and bottom products for all the three categories of binary feed mixtures considered. The optimum gas velocity for maximum separation of the lighter/fine and heavier/coarse particles is identified. The effect of the operating variables on the identified optimum gas velocity and optimum purity/recovery is presented.