Solid Fluid Systems

CHMT4006/4008
Course Brief
2019

Course Co-ordinator: Prof Jean Mulopo (JM)

(RW311) Tel: 011-717-7507
jean.mulopo2@wits.ac.za

Course Lecturer (s): Prof Jean Mulopo (JM) RW311 Tel: 011-717-7507

1. COURSE BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It is essential that a process engineer understands the interactions between solid particles and
fluids, because so many processes involve the processing (e.g. comminution, classification,
crystallization, filtration, etc.) of particles in fluids. This course introduce the fundamental concepts
and application of equations describing particle-fluid interactions and particle motion to model
physical systems within the context of industrial applications aiming to design solid-fluid separation
processes and will give the student the tools to deal with issues in this field. (Note that this course
shares lectures with the Particulate Systems course)

2. COURSE OBJECTIVES

This course aims to:

Introduce the fundamental concepts and application of equations describing particle-fluid

interactions and particle motion to model physical systems within the context of industrial
applications aiming to design solid-fluid separation processes.

3. COURSE OUTCOMES

After attending the lectures in this course, working through the tutorials and studying the
recommended textbooks, students should be able to:

1. Outline and describe different solid-liquid separation techniques.

2. State the formulae and describe the physical meaning of dimensionless numbers.
3. Describe the basic concepts related to particle-fluid motion.
4. Apply relevant equations to a given physical situation.
5. Solve solid-fluid separation problems and perform basic design calculation for separation
equipment.

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ECSA Outcome examined in this course Assessment Satisfactory
Performance
1: Problem solving
Marked
Learning outcome: Demonstrate competence to assignments, 50% final mark
identify, assess, formulate and solve convergent tests and for the course
and divergent engineering problems creatively examination
and innovatively.
2: Application of scientific and
engineering knowledge Marked 50% final mark
assignments, for the course
Learning outcome: Demonstrate competence to tests and
apply knowledge of mathematics, basic science examination
and engineering sciences from first principles to
solve engineering problems.

4. PRIOR KNOWLEDGE ASSUMED

Prerequisites: Second Year courses in Process Engineering

5. COURSE CONTENT

Topic Content
1. Particle  Describe the particulate state and characterise and manipulate
characterisation particle size distributions mathematically (JM)
2. Particle  Predict the behaviour of a particle settling in a fluid as a function of
settling velocity fluid and particle properties (JM)
3. Packed  Calculate the pressure drop when fluids flow through packed beds of
beds known composition in laminar and turbulent flow
 Design packed beds for a given duty (JM)
4. Fluidised  Describe various aspects of fluidised bed behaviour (gas flow, solids
beds mixing, bubble behaviour, elutriation, heat and mass transfer, etc.)
 Calculate mass and energy balances for fluidised beds in order to
predict their behaviour, taking the above processes into account (JM)
5. Comminution  Size a grinding mill for a specified duty
and  Predict the performance of a mill given a characterization of the ore,
Classification using the Bond and the Population Balance Models
 Apply established classification models to determine expected
separation in a hydrocyclone (MB)

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 6. Flotation  Describe key factors affecting hydrophobicity of particles in the
flotation context, and factors which affect the efficiency with which
particles attach to bubbles
 Use the first order reaction rate analogy to describe flotation kinetics
 Predict the recovery from batch and continuous flotation units
 Design flotation flowsheets involving roughing, scavenging and
cleaning banks (MB)

6. ASSESSMENT AND RULES

6.1 Components of the Assessment

A mid-term test will be held in mid-April and will count 35% of the final mark for the course. 15% will
be allocated to performance during tutorials (this may involve short tests as announced).

6.2 Assessment Summary

Assignment 15%
Test 35%
Term-end exam 50%
6.3 Due Performance Requirements
None
6.4. Calculators in examinations
Any calculator may be used; provided the memory is cleared before the test or exam. (No
computationally intensive problems will be set.)

6.5. PLAGARISM (thus all materials should be referenced) or COPYING of any sort will NOT be
allowed – in such a case both (multiple) parties will be penalized and such work will be
awarded 0%. The case will also be referred to the legal office or the School’s ethics
committee.

If you missed any assessment you must complete an absence form available from Mrs Maria and
return it with the necessary supporting documents for consideration by the School/ Faculty.

7. TEACHING AND LEARNING APPROACH

Lectures will be given on various topics as set out in this course brief. Class discussions and
questions will be encouraged. The student is expected to consult resource materials in the library
and on the internet. When working in groups each member is expected to actively contribute to the
design project, to discuss, question and interpret all the necessary information that may be relevant
to the design problem.

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 7.1 Teaching arrangements

Lectures: Fridays 8H00-09H45 in P114

Tutorial dates and venue: Consult timetable for venue and actual dates
Test date: check Test timetable

7.2 Consultation times

Please see notice outside lecturer’s offices or else, if you wish to consult outside these hours please
send an e-mail. This e-mail should include your name, student number and course code in the
subject line (e.g. Name: Reginald Mashego, Student number: 0323511, Course code: CHMT4006),
and remember that it might take a day or so to answer. Also, please note that the lecturers might be
away, so check the out of office.

8. COURSE MATERIALS AND OTHER INFORMATION

The following textbooks are highly recommended for regular consultation as aids in understanding
and expanding the material given in the lecture course. It is always useful to use another references
in conjunction with lecture notes, as some topics may be explained either in a different way, or in
greater depths. These should be in the library.

8.1 Prescribed

1. Coulson J.M. & Richardson J.F., Chemical Engineering Volume 2, 5thed, Butterworth-Heinmann,
2002, ISBN:075064451
2. Introduction to Particle Technology, 2nd Edition. Martin J. Rhodes (Editor). ISBN: 978-0-470-
01428-8

8.2 References

1. “Introduction to Mineral Processing”, Kelly and Spotttiswood, Wiley, 1982

2. “Modelling and Simulation of Mineral Processing Systems”, R P King, Butterworth. 2001

Note: Resource materials (notes, handouts, etc.) and related information will always be made
available on the e-learning site.