Theory of particles

separation
 Particles separation
• All particle separation processes depend greatly on particle size, and different
techniques are appropriate for different size ranges.
• Particles such as viruses, colloids, bacteria, and small fragments of silica and
alumina may be separated into different fractions of various sizes and densities.
• In some processes of settling and sedimentation, the purpose is to remove
particles from the fluid stream so that the fluid is free of particle contaminants. In
other processes, the particles are recovered as the product, as in recovery of the
dispersed phase in liquid-liquid extraction. In some cases, particles are suspended
in fluids so that the particle can be separated into fractions differing in size or
density.
• Suspensions of relatively massive particles settle under the influence of gravity,
and the different rates can be exploited to effect separations. To separate viruses
and the like, it is necessary to employ much more powerful force fields, such as
those produced in an ultracentrifuge.
• Particle separation processes refer to the unit operations aiming at separating
different pulp components in order to remove or concentrate some of them
in different fractions.
• The particle separation processes are essential in recycling to remove
various contraries in a very large particle size range. Separation is mainly
based on particle dimensions in screening and washing, on particle density
in centrifugal cleaning and on particle surface properties in flotation.
• Fractionation is normally performed as an intermediate process between
screening and washing, though the centrifugal process can also be used.
Particle size and shape and hydrodynamic phenomena are decisive in the
separation processes.
 CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATION OPERATIONS
Equilibrium in a centrifugal field
• When solid particles are extremely fine then the time required to eliminate
such particles from a fluid stream may prove to be very long. In that case,
centrifugal separation is needed as it provides accelerations largely
exceeding gravitational action. Such accelerations can reach or even exceed
103.g. The same methods can be used to separate oil from water when the
difference in their densities is low.

Fig (1) Liquid in a centrifugal bowl

• where dF is the differential force across the cylinder wall, dm is the mass of
the differential cylinder, ω is the angular velocity of the cylinder and r is the
radius of the cylinder.
• But, dm=ρ2πr.b.dr
• Where ρ is the density of the liquid and b is the height of the cylinder. The
area over which the force dF acts is 2πr.b, so that:
• where dP is the differential pressure across the wall of the differential
cylinder. To find the differential pressure in a centrifuge, between radius R1
and R2 , the equation for dP can be integrated, letting the pressure at radius
R1 be P1 and that at R2 be P2 , and so The pressure drop over a ring of liquid
r2-r1 thick is:

• Equation shows the radial variation in pressure across the centrifuge

 Centrifugal decanters
• As previously stated, when the difference between the densities of two
liquids is small, it is customary to use centrifugal separation to achieve
their separation in a reasonable time. Separation may be conducted in a
liquid – liquid centrifuge, shown schematically below
• In practice, separators are constructed so as to be able to vary at will the
positions of outlet ports so as to have clear cut separation. The following
example shows how this equation is of use.
Centrifugal sedimentation
Theory
• In sedimentation centrifugation a liquid containing very fine solids is
admitted into a cylindrical bowl that rotates at very high speed forcing the
particles to impinge against the walls and drop to the bottom of the
centrifuge. In case of batch centrifugation, the static bowl contains a
suspension of solids that holds a certain volume V0 of the bowl.
• As the bowl rotates, the inner radius of liquid is r1 while that of the bowl is
R (Figure below)
• A solid particle moves radially a maximum distance from r1 to r2. Particles
reach very rapidly their terminal velocity so that their velocity can be
predicted from a modified form of Stokes law substituting gravitational
acceleration (g) by centrifugal acceleration (ω2.r):
Fig: Motion of a particle in sedimentation centrifuge
• In case of continuous centrifugation, the retention time of solids is equal to
the ratio of volume of liquid to the flow rate.
• Substituting in equation (5):
Class work
• A batch sedimentation centrifuge has a diameter of 600 mm and a height of
300 mm. It is used to separate 25 liters of an aqueous slurry containing
suspended solids of average particle size 2 µm and density = 2600 kg.m-3 .
The bowl is rotated at 1000 rpm.
(i) Find the time required to free the liquid from solid impurities.
(ii) Compare with the time it would take for these particles to settle by
gravity in that same bowl.
Fractionation of solids of wide size distribution based on size
by gravity settling or differential settling methods.
• Gravity settling: The settling tank
• Material is introduced in suspension into a tank containing a relatively large
volume of water moving at a low velocity, as shown in Figure 1.25. The
particles soon enter the slowly moving water and, because the small particles
settle at a lower rate, they are carried further forward before they reach the
bottom of the tank.
• The very fine particles are carried away in the liquid overflow. Receptacles at
various distances from the inlet collect different grades of particles according
to their terminal falling velocities, with the particles of high terminal falling
velocity collecting near the inlet. The positions at which the particles are
collected may be calculated on the assumption that they rapidly reach their
terminal falling velocities, and attain the same horizontal velocity as the fluid.
• If the material is introduced in solid form down a chute, the position at which the
particles are deposited will be determined by the rate at which they lose the
horizontal component of their velocities. The larger particles will therefore be
carried further forward and the smaller particles will be deposited near the inlet.
 Other means of separation
The elutriator
• Material may be separated by means of an elutriator, which consists of a
vertical tube up which fluid is passed at a controlled velocity. The particles are
introduced, often through a side tube, and the smaller particles are carried over
in the fluid stream while the large particles settle against the upward current.
• Further size fractions may be collected if the overflow from the first tube is
passed vertically upwards through a second tube of greater cross-section, and
any number of such tubes can be arranged in series.
Sieves or screens
• Sieves or screens are used on a large scale for the separation of particles
according to their sizes, and on a small scale for the production of closely
graded materials in carrying out size analyses.
• The method is applicable for particles of a size as small as about 50 μm, but
not for very fine materials because of the difficulty of producing accurately
woven fine gauze of sufficient strength, and the fact that the screens become
clogged. Woven wire cloth is generally used for fine sizes and perforated
plates for the larger meshes.
• Screens may be operated on both a wet or a dry basis. With coarse solids the
screen surface may be continuously washed by means of a flowing stream of
water which tends to keep the particles apart, to remove the finer particles
from the surface of larger particles and to keep the screen free of adhering
materials. Fine screens are normally operated wet, with the solids fed
continuously as a suspension.
• By maintaining a high cross-flow velocity over the surface of the screen, or
by rapid vibration, the apparent viscosity of the suspension may be reduced
and the screening rate substantially increased. The only large screen that is
hand operated is the grizzly