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WET CLASSIFICATION AND WET SCREENING OF FINE

PARTICLES
HEINRICH SCHUBERT

Bergakademie Freiberg , East Germany

Published online: 24 Feb 2007.

To cite this article: HEINRICH SCHUBERT (1983) WET CLASSIFICATION AND WET SCREENING OF FINE PARTICLES, Particulate
Science and Technology: An International Journal, 1:4, 393-408, DOI: 10.1080/02726358308906384
To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02726358308906384

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WET CLASSIFICATION AND WET SCREENING

O F FINE PARTICLES

H N N R I C H SCHUBERT
East Germany

Bergakademie Freibera

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Introduction
T h i s p a p e r d e a l s w i t h t h e c l a s s i f i c a t i o n a n d s c r e e n i n g of f i n e p a r t i c l e s
w i t h c u t s i z e s dTSlmm.
In industrial-scale processes, the cut s i z e range
between 1 and 0 . 1 mm i s t h e t r a n s i t i o n r e g i o n f o r t h e a p p l i c a t i o n of s c r e e n i n g
( p r e v a i l i n g f a r d T > 1 mm) and t h e c l a s s i f i c a t i o n ( p r e v a i l i n g d T < 0.lmm).
T h e r e a r e , however, pronounced t e n d e n c i e s t o s h i f t t h e a p p l i c a t i o n l i m i t of
screening t o f i n e r cut sizes.
On t h e o t h e r hand, p r o g r e s s i s a l s o o b t a i n e d i f
T h i s paper d e a l s e x c l u s i v e l y
h i g h e r c u t s i z e s c a n be used w i t h c l a s s i f i e r s .
w i t h t h e wet c l a s s i f i c a t i o n and wet s c r e e n i n g of f i n e p a r t i c l e s .
I m p o r t a n t improvements i n t h e development o f wet c l a s s i f i c a t i o n and wet
s c r e e n i n g have r e s u l t e d from h i g h e r demands i n g r i n d i n g c i r c u i t e f f i c i e n c y i n
mineral processing.
F u r t h e r i m p o r t a n t p r o g r e s s is d u e t o i n c r e a s e d demands
c o n c e r n i n g p a r t i c l e s i z e a n a l y s i s of s a n d s and g r a v e l s f o r s p e c i a l c o n c r e t e
constructions, foundry sands, a b r a s i v e s , k a o l i n , e t c .
Wet C l a s s i f i c a t i o n
B e f o r e d e a l i n g w i t h r e c e n t d e v e l o p m e n t s of c l a s s i f i e r s , b o t h g r a v i t y and
c e n t r i f u g a l . t h e i r modes of o p e r a t i o n , and t h e c o r r e s p o n d i n g s e p a r a t i o n models
are presented here.
Modes of o p e r a t i o n and s e p a r a t i o n models
We c a n d i s t i n g u i s h t h e m o d e s o f o p e r a t i o n s h o w n i n F i g . 1 .
Characteristic is whether the coarse material in the classifying
zone moves e s s e n t i a l l y a c c r o s s o r a g a i n s t t h e f l u i d f l o w (or f l o w
component d e c i s i v e f o r s e p a r a t i o n ) .
T h e r e f o r e , we c a n d i s t i n g u i s h
between
cross-flow
and
counter-flow
c l a s s i f i c a t i o n .
I f
c l a s s i f i c a t i o n is performed i n t h e g r a v i t y f i e l d , t h e wet
c l a s s i f i c a t i o n terms, h o r i z o n t a l flow, and upstream, a r e introduced.
Because of t h e c r o s s - f l o v i n t h e c l a s s i f y i n g zone, t u r b u l e n c e can be
It is reasonable t o subdivide it into laminar
proeess-determining.
and t u r b u l e n t c r o s s - f l o v c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s .
Fig. 2 gives turbulence
paramaters of cross-flov classifiers.
T a b l e 1 shows t h e c o r r e s p o n d i n g s e p a r a t i o n models a c c o r d i n g t o t h e p r e s e n t
s t a t e o f knowledge.
The e q u a t i o n s f o r t h e c u t s i z e p r e s u p p o s e s t h a t t h e
t e r m i n a l s e t t l i n g r a t e of t h e p a r t i c l e s i s d e t e r m i n e d by t h e S t o k e s f o r m u l a .
But t h i s i s no p r e r e q u i s i t e f o r t h e g e n e r a l model development 141. These models
have become more e f f e c t i v e s i n c e t h e p r o c e s s - d e t e r m i n i n g r o l e o f t u r b u l e n c e f o r
t h e mast i m p o r t a n t c r o s s - f l o w c l a s s i f i e r s h a s been r e a l i z e d 14-71.
I n turbulent
cross-flow
c l a s s i f i e r s , t h e p a r t i c l e s i n t h e c l a s s i f y i n g zone a r e not o n l y
Particulate Science and techno lop^ 1 :393-407. 1983
Copyright 0 1983 by Hemisphere Publishing Corporation

393

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subjected to the sedimentation caused by the force field, but also to the eddy
diffusion transport flow. For modeling we have to proceed therefore, from the
fact that, near the product discharge, an equilibrium between the sedimentation
flow and the eddy diffusion flow has been achieved for the individual particle;

Fig. 1.

Modes of operation for wet classification 1 1 . 2 1 : a) laminar cross-flow;

b) turbulent cross-flow; c ) counter flow

Table 1.

Separation models for wet classification

See (1-5) and (11)

Wet Classification and Screening

Crorr - Flow

Flow along a
wall

l e r inlo fhe

Spiral Classifier

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dgrratian

Rake Classif,er
Ag~fafiofl

Re-$
-1o?..51oh
Re,,,,10'

dgifalim

nD2
Re T
=! 105
10'
Re,,,,

Hydroseparalor
$0

r n-

Fig. 2.

Y" -0p5...0,1!

rLn

Turbulence parameters of cross-flow classifiers.

sizes range independently of each other and the concentration distribution in the
direction of the v-coordinate is valid: 11.21

Up to now, however. due consideration in modeling has not yet been given to the
fact that, in cross-flow classification, suspensions of low solids concentration
(dilute suspensions, volume per cent of solids 0 < 5 to 10%. Fig. 3a), as well
181. Separaton in dense
as dense suspensions (Fig. 3b and 3c), must be h&dled.
suspensions are accomplished in some classifiers with satisfying separation
efficiency (e.g., hydrocyclones and mechanical classifiers in grinding circuits).
As is well know, the terminal settling rate vse of an irregularly shaped
particle in hindered settling [1,3] can be written as:

The hindered settling phenomenon is caused by the counter flow of the fluid due
to reasons of continity and also by an increased momentum transport within the

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~ i g .3 .

Cross-flow c l a s s i f i c a t i o n i n d i l u t e and d e n s e suspensions:

a ) d i l u t e f l o w s e p a ; a t i o n , b) d e n s e f l o w s e p a r a t i o n ,
C ) i n t e r m e d i a t e f l o w s e p a r a t i o n (combined s e p a r a t i o n )

s u s p e n s i o n s ( s o - c a l l e d swarm t u r b u l e n c e ) .
R e c e n t l y . Brauer and h i s
co-worker6
proposed models which c o n s i d e r t h e s e phenomena i n
suspensions containing polydisperse s o l i d s [9,101.
According t o
them, i t is i m p o r t a n t for t h e c l a s s i f i c a t i o n i n dense s u s p e o s i a o s
t h a t "negative" s e t t l i n g r a t e s o f f i n e p a r t i c l e s occur (Fig.3b
b e c a u s e o f t h e c o u n t e r - f l o v a n d u n d e r t h e e f f e c t of t h e s w a r m
turbulence.
From t h i s , t h e s a t i s f y i n g s h s r p n e e s i n s e p a r a t i n g
c l a s s i f i c a t i o n p r o c e s s e s g o i n g o n i n d e n s e s u s p e n s i o n s may b e
I n cross-flow c l a s s i f i e r s having intermediate s o l i d s
explained.
concentrations i n t h e feed zones are formed which a r e more or l e s s
At t h e bottom o f
d i s t i n c t l y separated from each other (Fig. 3c).
O v e r l a y i n g i t t h e r e i s a zone
the c l a s s i f i e r , there i s a sediment.
with a relatively high solids concentration in a fluidized bed-like
s t a t e i n which t h e conditions of dense flow separation predominate.
T h e u p p e r s u s p e n s i o n l a y e r e x h i b i t s l o w ~ o l i d sc o n c e n t r a t i o n s , t h u s
An i n t e n s i v e
providing the conditions of a d i l u t e separation.
p a r t i c l e e x c h a n g e t a k e s p l a c e b e t w e e n t h e t w o zones.
When wet c l a s s i f i c a t i o n i s c a r r i e d o u t w i t h s o l i d s o f i n c r e a s i n g l y f i n e
p a r t i c l e s a n d . e s p e c i a l l y , a t a h i g h e r volume p e r c e n t of s o l i d s , i t s h o u l d b e
t a k e n i n t o c o n s i d e r a t i o n t h a t t h e s u s p e n s i o n s show "an-Newtonian
behavior
113,371.
S t r u c t u r e b r e a k i n g e f f e c t s c a u s e d by r h e t u r b u l e n c e promote t h e
s c p a r a c i o n efficiency.
Gravity c l a s s i f i e r s

For wet c l a s s i f i c a t i o n i n t h e g r a v i t y f i e l d , a l a r g e r number of c l a s s i f i e r s

is available.
With r e g a r d t o t h e modes of o p e r a t i o n and t h e s e p a r a t i o n m o d e l s ,
i t i s a d v i s a b l e t o s u b d i v i d e them a s f o l l o w s :
a) horizontal-flow

c l a s s i f i e r s t o which t h e model o f l a m i n a r c r o s s - f l o w is
applicable.
b ) m e c h a n i c a l c l a s s i f i e r s i n which t h e c o a r s e m a c e r i a l i s d i s c h a r g e d by
means of a t r a n s p o r t mechanism ( r a k e , s p i r a l ) , a n d a more o r l e s s
i n t e n s i v e a g i t a t i o n of t h e p u l p 1s e f f e c t e d s o t h a t t h e model of
t h c t u r b u l e n t c r o s s - f l o w c l a s s i f i c a t i o n must b e a p p l i e d , 141

397

Wet Classification and Screening

C )

upstream classifiers whose mode of operation corresponds to the model

of counter-flow classification.

Based on the separation model, the following requirements can be

for the design and operation of a horizontal-flow classifier:

deduced

a ) laminar flow conditions should prevail in the classification zone.

b) the fines should be discharged with a maximum of liquid to the
overflow,
c ) care should be taken to discharge the coarse material with a minimum
of liquid through the discharge opening at the bottom.

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Several classification zones can be arranged in series to obtain products

of different finesness. To improve the sharpness of separation of horizontalflow classifiers, multi-stage arrangements are successfully used 11,121.
The most widely applied mechanical classifiers consist of a slightly
inclined trougb in which a mechanism transports the coarse material along ?=he
bottom to the discharge (rake classifiers, spiral classifiers).
Because the
turbule t diffusion coefficients of the rake classifiers (DT about 0.004 to
9
0.01 m s-1) are essentially higher than those of spiral classifiers ( D
about
between 0.0005 to 0.0025 d s - l ) the latter produce lower cut sizes.
khe wet
grinding circuits are the most important field of application for rake and
In recent times, rhey have been increasingly displaced by
spiral classifiers.
hydrocyclones which have a simpler construction, are more flexible, and require
less space 1141. To improve the sharpness of separation, mechanical multi-stage
classifiers
have been developed (Bathos-classifier of Chemie and Metal1 GmbH.
Rheax) 1151.
Recently, upstream classifiers have gained in importance. In some of them
a higher solids concentration in the separation zone is avoided due to an
adequate design of the classifier (dilute flow separation). whereas in others
the fluidized bed conditions are realized in this zone (dense flow separation).
or a combination of dilute and dense flow separation is applied.
Many upstream
classifiers have an automatically controlled discharge for the coarse material.
The classifier shown in Fig. 4a, type Pheax, avoids an enrichment of the
solids in the classification zone by its design and realizes a mostly laminar
flow and a high sharpness of separation ( r '2.2) with cut sizes between 0.4
and 2.5 mm.
The rotationally symmetrical upstream classifier, a Sagreah
(Lavoflux) type (Fig. 4b), resulted from the further development of gravity
concentration equipment and combines dilute flow separation in the upper part of
the classification zone.
Here, the coarse material rapidly forms a sediment on
the cone and a downward sliding dune, with its control classification in the
lower ring space at higher volume per cent of solids [16.171.
For cut sizes
between 0.1 and 1 mm,u-values < 1.5 are said to be obtainable. Also in the socalled pleated classifier (Fig. 4c), the coarse particles are rapidly removed
from
the upward suspension flow and underlie a control
classification
mm. n -values of
(cleaning).
The main field of application are cutsizes'0.5
from 1.4 to 1.6 being possible.
A rotationally symmetrical pleated classifier
is shown in Fig. 4d.
The upstream classifier type, Larox. represented in Fig.
4c, was developed in order to improve the separation efficiency of grindingcircuit classification [18,191.
It consists mainly of an open cylinderical
upper section, a conical lower section, and a vertical mechanism which rotates
at a low speed.
The classification in a radially-laminated upwardly-directed
pulp column is combined with the cleaning of the sands in the conical seccion.
This classifier is especially recommended for the reclassification of the
underfllow of hydrocyclones in grinding circuits [19].
Multi-compartment
classifiers have been in use for a long time.
Several separation zones are
connected in a series so that different cuts can be realized.

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Fig. 4. Upstream classifiers.

a) Rheax, b) Sogreah (Lavoflux), c) Rheax (Pleated classifer) ,
d) Hydrofors, e ) Larox

Centrifugal classifiers

We
can
distinguish two groups of
hydrocyclones and the decanter centrifuges.

centrifugal

classifiers;

the

Theoretical and experimental investigations on the role of turbulence in

hydrocyclone flow have been under consideration for a long time 120,211. Only
recently however. the conclusion was drawn that an adequate model of turbulent
crass-flow classification can better reflect the nature of the hydro-cyclone
separation than the conventional models 11,3-6.22-251.
The model development was based on the ideas shown in Fig. 5, so that from
respective equation for the cut size Table 1, 11.21 it follows that:

Wer Classification and Screening

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theor

F i g . 5.
According t o t h e
p a r t i c l e shape,
of the turbulen
according t o the

399

C o n s t a n t f o r t h e a d a p t i o n t o t h e h y d r o c y c l o n e geometry

Turbulent cross-flow c l a s s i f i c a t i o n i n hydrocyclonfs.

simplifying assumptions, especially with regard t o
influence of hindered s e t t l i n g , and t h e parameters
t two-phase flow, ve obtained by substition and
respective corrections:

I t i s w e l l known t h a t t h e p a r t i c l e s i z e d i s t r i b u t i o n of t h e h y d r o c y c l o n e f e e d
T h i s may be e x p l a i n e d by
has an important influence on t h e separation process.
the
t u r b u l e n c e damping e f f e c t of
t h e s o l i d s which i n c r e a s e s w i r h
the
fimness[Z71.
T h i s i s t a k e n under c o n s i d e r a t i o n L281 by t h e e m p i r i c a l
c o r r e c t i o n f a c t o r k~d.
F u r t h e r improvements of t h i s model a r e mainly p o s s i b l e i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h
a d v a n c e s i n t h e d e s c r i p t i o n of two-phase f l o w s , e s p e c i a l l y t u r b u l e n t two-phase
f l o w s , and f o r t h e c o r r e l a t i o n s between d e s i g n and t u r b u l e n c e p a r a m e t e r s .
Furthermore, i t is necessary t o adequately take i n t o c o n s i d e r a t i o n t h e i n f l u e n c e
o f h i g h e r volume of C o n c e n t r a t i o n i s t h e s o l i d s ( s e e F i g . 3 c ) .

Various
results of other authors can be regarded as an
indirect
confirmation of this model. Lynch et a1 1291 wrote: "The results of the present
study confirm the earlier conclusions (Lynch and Raa. 1975 Caaliari) that the
critical design variables for a hydrocyclone operation are the inlet and outlet
diameters.
The hydrocyclone operation body is merely a housing required to
carry out these constituent parts."

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Based an the model of turbulent cross-flow classification, the suspension

discharge ratio determines the sharpness of classification ( s e e Table 1).
The
sharpness of classification increases with decreasing proportion of the pulp volume
flow of the coarse product.
Although only few investigations on the relationship
between sharpness of classification and flow or design parameters are known. the
sy~tematic research work by Lynch et sl. 114.29-311 and others 135,361 speaks well
for the principal validity of this model. A further confirming result was submitted
by Plitt et el 1221. Furthermore, the model is in agreement with recent results by
Trawinsk. according to which hydrocyclones with larger cone angles or even fulllength cylindrical cyclones yield not only coarser cut sizes (Dt increases with the
cone a n g l e 151) but also a satisfactory sharpness of classification ( r u does not
depend on the cone angle 132,341.
Also, recently further summarizing contributions were published on the
114.29-311 presented
hydrocyclone classification 134.38.511 Lynch et al.
extensive experimental test results with larger hydrocyclones.
Their model
consists of a series of regression equations which describe pressure-throughput
relationship, reduced efficiency curve. waterflaw ratio. and cur sire.
Though the hydrocyclone was introduced into processing mare than 30 years
ago, ncw fields of application are accessible, and further technical development
is ongoing. For normal hydrocyclones, the range of obtainable cut sizes is
between about 5 and 200 um.
Special designs achieve up to 500LIm (dense-pulp
cyclones, full-length cylindrical cyclones or cyclones with large cone angles)
ond up to 2,ym for fine sizes.
The hydrocyclones used have a diameter up to
about 1400 mm.
However, even with higher throughputs. diameters of 750 mm are
only seldom exceeded.
The following areas of further development should be particularly stressed:
a)

b)

C)

d)

C )

Manufacturers increasingly apply spiral inlet nozzles instead of

tangential ones. In this way the turbulence intensity is reduced
and thus lower cut sizes can be obtained) and higher suspensions
throughputs are achieved.
Smell and medium-sized hydrocyclones (up to about 250 mm in diameter)
arc increasingly made from plastics and polyurethanes. Medium-size
to big hydrocyclones of cast steel or sheet steel are lined with
wenr resistant material (rubber, polyurethane. other plastics,
Ni-hard, hard porcelain).
By using suitable precautions (preseparation of clogging materials
and devices for the removal of blockages). the operational
reliability of smaller cyclones was essentially improved so that
they are increasingly considered for the separation of fine particles
up to d about 2 Um.
Increased attention was paid to the stabilization of the hydrocyclone
operation by the application of underflow control (pneumatically
ar hydraulically adjustable nozzles and throttle valves 132.33.381.
Moreover, technologically profitable effects have been attempted by
developing special designs which more or less deviate from the
standard design ( e . g . , Tagawa-swirl cyclone 139,401 double-cone
cyclone 1411, and others).

401

Wet Classification and Screening

In spite of the progress made with regard to the application of the hydrocyclones for cut sizes d t < 10 um, the increasing application of decanter
centriguges, for example, can be observed for the classification of kaolin,
phosphate slimes, and similar materials ( 4 2 1 .
Wet Screening

In wet screening. the fines are essentially transported through sieve

apertures by the fluid flow.
Movements of the sieve decks (if used) serve to
counteract the blinding of the sieve a r e a , as well a s promote coarse material
transport along the sieve deck.
The separation efficiency of screening
processes is to a large sxtent influenced by the amount of oversize present.
because cake-like sediments in the oversize highly impair the screening action
of the fluid flow.
The most important screens far wet screening can be subdivided as follows:
a ) stationary screens

b) sieve drums
vibrating screens

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C )

In the following, new developments will be discussed according

classification.

to

this

Stationary screens
Typical of these screens is that the sieve area is relatively steeply
inclined.
This results in a reduced amount of rinsing water. In addition, the
cut size is essentially smaller than the sieve apertures.
The latter is
favorable to counteract blinding. With all of them, whatever sizing is going to
be used, separation is completed within a relatively short distance from the
feed point.
Long lengths are, therefore, not used and the capacities are rated
in terms of width and sieve aperture rather than a r e a . They all produce optimum
results o v e r a fairly narrow range of pulp consistency, between approximately 8
and 20 percent volume of solids.
They require reasonably constant feed rates
for efficient operation and a uniform distribution of the feed pulp over the
width of the screen.
The first screen of the stationary type was the sieve bend (Fig. 6a) 1 4 3 1 .
It consisted of fairly rugged stationary surface comprising parallel wedge bars
running at right angles to the pulp flow.
The layers of slurry adjacent to the
surface are successively peeled off at each slot, the size of particles passing
through are smaller than approximately half the gap width.
Sieve bends have
mostly been installed with gap widths between 0.3 and 1.0 mm, whereby cut sizes
between 100 and 500 um can be realized.
There is a minimum pulp velocity for
each gap width to counteract blinding. This is characterized by a Reynolds
number o f about 300 I441 1.e.. the smaller the gap width. the higher must be the
fluid velocity. To overcome the abrasion problem, the Rapifine-screen (Fig. 7a)
1 4 4 , 4 6 1 was designed in the 1960s.
It is a steeply inclined, slightly curved
sieve bend equipped with a pneumatic rapping device working in adjustable
intervals to prevent blinding.
Consequently, the pulp velocity can be reduced
compared with the conventional sieve bends.
A uniform pulp distribution is
Two-stage
ensured by a saw-tooth design of the overflow edge in the feed box.
screens (Fig. 7b) improve the separation efficiency. The gap width of Rapifine

H. Schubert

Mode of operation of stationary

wedge-wire screen.

screens: a ) s i e v e bend, b)

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6.

Fig. 7 .

Stationary v e t screens: a)Rapifine, b) Rapifine, two-srage, c) KHD,

two-stage. d) B a r t l e s CTS, two-stage.

403

Wet Classification and Screening

screens used in industry corresponds to that of conventional sieve bends

[44,461. Even a$ apertures of 100 um, the throughputs with single-stage screens
are 8 to 10 t/m h processing of iron ores [46l.

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The development of the Rapifine screen suggested the conclusion that a

curved design of the sieve area is no prerequisite for the separation effect.
Cansequently, at the beginning of the 1970s, flat wedge-wire screens (Figs 6b
and 7c) were designed 147,481.
In the type shown in Pig. 7 c , the sieve deck is
linked to the base frame by smooth rubber blocks.
At intervals, it is excited
to cleaning vibrations.
The inclination of the screen area is adjustable.
Additional rinsing water can be fed from adjustable boxes arranged above the
sieve areas.
Another development proceeding from the conventional sieve band is to be
found in the processing of Cornwall tin ores.
The type shown in Fig. 7d uses a
woven wire cloth as the sieve area L44.451.
Early testing proved that an
improvement in efficiency was obtained using a short radius of cloth, but the
inherent difficulties of screen blinding remained.
Observations indicated that
the major problem was hydrodynamic.
That is, while separation occurred on the
face of the screen, a thin layer of pulp, having Passed through the apertures,
continued down the back side of the cloth, being held on by a "wall effect." To
overcome this problem, the pulp is peeled off from the back of the cloth by a
series of wedges.
Sieve drums
Horizontal sieve drums, whose sieve area is externally rinsed with water.
are being used in Scandinavian mineral processing plants for screening pulps
This washing prevents blinding and additionally
with cut sizes d t < l m m .
increases the capacity.
The type shown in Fig. 8 is a combination of a vertical sieve drum and an
upstream classifier.
It was designed for the reclassification of
the
hydrocyclone underflow in grinding circuits. 119,491. This apparatus is similar

Fig. 8.

Hydraulic trommel screen

(Hukki screen cell).

404

H. Schuberf

t o t h e u p s t r e a m c l a s s i f i e r shown i n F i g . 4 e . T h e main d i f f e r e n c e i s t h e d e s i g n of
I t i n c l u d e s a p e r i p h e r a l wedge w i r e s c r e e n . The
the cyclindrical top section.
f e e d i s i n t r o d u c e d c e n t r a l l y a t t h e t o p and i s d i s t r i b u t e d a l o n g t h e i n s i d e o f
t h e trommel
by means of a low-speed r o t a t i n g mechanism c o m p r i s i n g a p l a t e o f
d i s c s and f i t t e d w i t h r a d i a l sweeper b l a d e s .
These s e r v e t o d i r e c t t h e p u l p
t o w a r d s t h e p e r i p h e r y i n t h e form o f a p u l p r i n g t r a v e l l i n g a t c o n s t a n t a n g u l a r
s p e e d w i t h c e n t r i f u g a l a c c e l e r a t i o n of a b o u t 1 g a g a i n s t t h e screen s u r f a c e .
V i b r a t i n g screens
A l s o v i b r a t i n g s c r e e n s a r e used f o r wet s c r e e n i n g .
The main p r o b l e m s a r e
t h e same a s e x p e r i e n c e d w i t h o t h e r wet s c r e e n s . I n a d d i t i o n , t h e v i b r a t i o n m u s t
not hinder t h e f l u i d flow.

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A t y p e d e s i g n e d p a r t i c u l a r l y f o r wet s c r e e n i n g i s t h e v i b r a t i o n s c r e e n
To t a k e a d v a n t a g e of t h e r a p i d s c r e e n i A g a c t i o n , t h e
shown i n F i g . 9 1441.
made a s a m u l t i p l e f e e d u n i t .
The s i e v e d e c k v i b r a t e s w i t h h i g h
screen is
speed (3000-36000 v i b r a t i a n s / r n i n u t e ) a n d low a m p l i t u d e s t r a n s m i t t e d by a
v i b r a t i n g m o t o r mounted above t h e c e n t e r of t h e s c r e e n .
For making s e p a r a t i o n s
w i t h c u t s i z e s < 3 5 0 m~ o n d i l u t e f e e d s , t h e d e c k c o n s i s t s of two s u p e r i m p o s e d

F i g . 9.

Vibration screen.

and e q u a l l y t e n s i o n e d s t a i n l e s s s t e e l w i r e c l o t h s s u p p o r t e d i n hoop t e n s i o n t o
o b t a i n u n i f o r m a c t i o n o v e r t h e e n t i r e s u r f a c e and t o a v o i d f l u t t e r and f a t i g u e .
T h i s "sandwich" c o n s t r u c t i o n r e s u l t s i n a s l i g h t r e l a t i v e movement o f t h e t o p
and t h e bottom c l o t h s .
t h e r e b y a v o i d i n g b l i n d i n g and making p o s s i b l e t h e u s e o f
h c a v i e r gauge w i r e t h a n i n c o n v e n t i o n a l l y u s e d i n t h e m a n u f a c t u r e of c l o t h of
t h e same a p e r t u r e .
The t h r o u g h p u t i s s a i d t o b e 1 3 . 3 t1h.m f o r a c u t s i z e d ~
-15Cvm, 20 p e r c e n t w e i g h t of s o l i d s i n t h e f e e d p u l p , a s o l i d d e n s i t y o f 2700
kg/m
and 1 5 % of o v e r s i z e f e e d . The c l o t h s have a mesh s i z e o f 250 u m [ & & I .

Wet Classirication and Screening

NOMENCLATURE
Clas~ifylngarea
Acceleration; centrifugal acceleration
Diameter
Eddy diffusion or transport coefficient
Particle Size
Cut size
Volume diameter
Particle size for P3(d)

= 0.25

or 0.7.5 respectively

Force Field
Fluid
Partlcle size mass distribution
Gravity acceleration

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Height of the classifying zone

Feed. oversize or undersize of a classifier
Hindered settling factor
Particle shape factor
Number of revolutions

Particle number concentration of the i-th size range at

0 respectively
y 0 y
Rapping device
Grade efficiency c u r v e (separation curve, separation
function)
Relative intensity of turbulence
Pulp volume flow rate of feed, oversize or undersize
respectively
Terminal settling rate of particles of diameter dV
Fluid velocity
Dynamic viscosity
Kinematic viscosity
Fluid density
Particle density
Volume per cent of particles
median value of the particle size distribution

406

H. Schubert

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