Abstract
A new method for the classification and separation of fine particles; rotating column (RTC) is analysed. In the theoretical calculation, the motion of a particle in the RTC is solved numerically taking account of the rotation of the particle in addition to the drag of the fluid under the condition of creeping flow.
The calculated particle trajectories and the effective range of the terminal velocity for the separation on the RTC are varified by comparison with the experimental observations. The influence of the apparatus parameters on the separation power of the RTC, tilted angle, revolution speed, column diameter and apex angle of the conical column, are investigated, and then the optimal combination of the paramters is searched for.
The existence of the fluid flow in the axial direction is found to improve the separation power of the RTC It would be feasible to operate the RTC continuously by flowing fluid in the axial direction.
