Analysis of the Relationship of Forces Acting on the Material in the Centrifugal Air Separator

Abstract

The relevance of the study derives from the need to increase efficiency of dry beneficiation of minerals, in particular through improving methods of separation of finely dispersed materials. The research aimed to analyse the regularities of the relationship of forces acting on a material particle in the vortex airflow in the centrifugal separator. The paper uses the analytical research method and generalisation of existing studies dealing with determining the balance of forces acting on a material particle in a vortex airflow. The main results of the research consist in determining the dependencies between the most influential forces acting on a particle of a mineral with a relatively high density in a centrifugal air separator. The balance of the airflow resistance, gravity and centrifugal forces was established, which is a key aspect for improving designs and optimising operating modes of centrifugal separators. The dependencies determining positions of resultants of the main forces were established and allowed determining parameters of the rational operating mode of air separators and substantiating recommendations for improving efficiency of their operation. The obtained equations of the resultants are universal and do not depend on the specific design of the air separator, which allows them to be used to analyse and optimise operation of various models of centrifugal air separators as well as other classes of separators considering relevant adjustments. The practical value of the work consists in obtaining equations that determine positions of the resultants of the three main forces acting on a particle in the vortex airflow. This, in turn, enables determining parameters of the required mode of operation