Study of granular material classification processes in a laboratory model of a conical centrifugal pneumatic separator

This study explores research in the field of dry mineral processing. The paper reviews and analyzes existing pneumatic processing methods and devices, particularly air classifiers and separators. Unlike classifiers, pneumatic separators separate materials not only by particle size but also by specific gravity (density), and are commonly used in the processing of coal, asbestos, and similar materials. However, current pneumatic enrichment methods and devices face limitations when processing high-density minerals and materials. The authors developed several laboratory models, including a centrifugal cone-shaped pneumatic separator, to explore the separation of mineral particles with varying densities and sizes based on their migration behavior in an aerodynamic flow. The paper outlines the methodology and presents the results of experimental studies conducted using the new laboratory model. The research demonstrates high recovery rates for both high- and medium-density mineral raw materials across different particle size fractions. By properly combining centrifugal and gas-dynamic forces, the separator effectively separates mineral particles according to their migration capacity in the airflow. This approach offers the potential for developing efficient separation devices with optimized size and weight parameters. The particle size distribution of the feed plays a crucial role in the efficiency of the separation process. To optimize separation by specific gravity (density), it is essential to ensure simultaneous classification and separation, along with the timely removal of size-separated fractions from the pneumatic separation process.