Particle Classification in the Enhanced Gravity Field Using the Knelson Concentrator

Abstract

The particle classification in the enhanced gravity field generated by the Knelson concentrator was studied in this paper. Three main test parameters, namely rotation speed, backwash water pressure, and solid mass percentage, that affected the classification performance of the Knelson concentrator for the classification tests of quartz and synthetic ore, which consisted of quartz and magnetite, were investigated. The yield of quartz concentrate increased with the rotation speed and decreased with the solid mass percentage and backwash water pressure. A lower backwash water pressure and solid mass percentage could improve the classification efficiency. The classification performance of the Knelson concentrator was comparable to that of the traditional hydrocyclone, with a classification efficiency of 76.84% and cut size of 49 μm when the solid mass percentage was 16.67%, the backwash water pressure was 50 kPa, and the rotation speed was 3600 rpm. The classification performance of quartz in synthetic ore tests was inferior to the single quartz tests, and the magnetite showed a better classification efficiency than the quartz with the same combination of test parameters. This study revealed the classification performance in the separation process of the Knelson concentrator in detail, which was beneficial for clarifying the migration rule of fine-grained minerals in the enhanced gravity field.