The mechanism of classification in a Sturtevant-type air classifier was investigated experimentally in the range of low feed rate, for making the effect of particle concentration on air stream negligible.
The number of revolutions of the blades, as well as that of the distribution plate, and the feed rate of the powder were selected as operating variables. JIS No. 2 standard powder (silica sand with average size
dp≈30μm) was used as the material to be tested. Experimental results were expressed by fractional recovery (separation) curves, in which partition phenomena, that is to say the simple dividing of feed particles into two parts, in both finer and coarser ranges of curves were recognized in all cases. In particular, the partition on the finer side had a noticeable effect on the cut size of the product by this classifier.
The findings were as follows:
1) Modified Molerus equation, which took into account of the partition ratio in both finer and coarser sides (α and β), well represented the results of classification as far as the experimental conditions of this work are concerned.
2) It was found that the effect of feed rate on the results of classification was larger than that of the number of revolutions. In the range of low feed rate, the effect of α was also larger than that of β.
3) Cut size,
X50, was found to be correlated with partition ratio, α, α was then correlated with the number of revolutions and the feed rate.
4) The parameter representing the sharpness of classification, S, was constant irrespective of the operating conditions of the classifier.
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