The segregation process is analyzed by a screening layer model with the binary mixture of particles of different size, shape or density. The segregating component permeates through dynamically formed interspaces among the framing particles during flow. Then it is entrained by the upper flowing layer of mixture over the inclined heap surface, where sufficiently smaller particles are packed gradually into the static voids of the heap. The total layer thickness is constant, Whereas the remaining, the segregating and the separated layers vary in their thickness and velocity along the heap line.
As a result, the zone, where the segregating particles are contained around the feed point in the vessel, expands by an increment of the initial mixing ratio, the feed rate and flow length or the vessel size. The mixing-ratio distribution is also described as a function of such operational variables as well as particle properties.
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