UNIT-III

Fluidization and Beneficiation

Equipment
 Fluidization
• When a liquid or a gas is passed at very low velocity up
through a bed of solid particles, the particle do not move, and
the pressure drop is calculated by Ergun equation.
 Pressure drop and bed height vs.
superficial velocity for a bed of solids
 Minimum fluidization velocity
• Pressure drop across the bed per unit length, given by eq.

• At incipient fluidization porosity becomes minimum porosity.

• For very small particles, only the laminar flow term of the
Ergun equation is significant. With NRe,p < 1, the equation for
minimum fluidization velocity becomes.
 MCQ
• What is minimum fluidization velocity?
a. A velocity at which particles start to move
b. A velocity at which particles become suspended fully in fluid.
c. A velocity at which particles motion becomes vigorous
d. All of the above
 Types of fluidization
• Particulate fluidization
• This type of fluidization occurs mainly
with liquid-solid fluidized system.
Example: Sand-water fluidization
Average bed density at a given velocity is the same in all
sections of the bed.
Contd…
• Aggregative or bubbling fluidization
• It occurs when the beds of solids fluidized with air.

• As the gas velocity increases, a fraction of the gas will

pass through the bed in the form of bubbles.

• The velocity at which bubble first forms, is called the

minimum bubbling velocity.
 Applications of fluidization
• Fluidized solids can be transferred easily between
reactors.

• Intense mixing within fluidized bed at uniform

temperature.

• Excellent heat transfer between a fluidized bed and

heat exchanger immersed in the bed.
Contd…
• Solid-gas reactions
• Fluid bed catalytic cracking
• Synthesis acrylonitrile
• Fluid cooking
• Catalyst regeneration
• Oxidation from SO2 to SO3
Contd…
• Physical processes
• Drying of particles
• Coating of surfaces
• Granulation
• Filtration
• blending
 MCQ
• Application of fluidization is in…
a. Fluid catalytic cracking
b. Drying of particles
c. Synthesis acrylonitrile
d. Catalyst regeneration
 Continuous fluidization
• Transport of slurry
• Pneumatic conveying
(i) Negative pressure system—multiple to single
(ii) Positive pressure system-single-multiple
 Equivalent Diameter
(or Hydraulic Radius)
• Hydraulic radius (rH) = Cross sectional area(S)/ wetted (or
heated) perimeter (Lp)
Lp – Perimeter of channel etc. in contact with fluid
Q1: The hydraulic diameter of annulus will be– (GATE-97)
a. 4rH b. 4(Ro-Ri) c. 2(Ro-Ri) d. doesn’t exist
Q2: The hydraulic diameter of circular tube will be— (GATE-98)
a. 2rH b. 4rH c. 2 (Ro-Ri) d. doesn’t exist
 Froth flotation
• Froth flotation processes are used for the separation of finely
divided solids.
• An operation in which one solid is separated from another by
floating one of them at or on the liquid surface.
• In froth flotation, separation of a solid feed mixture depends
upon differences in the surface properties of the material
involved.

• Hydrophobic – failing to mix with water

• Hydrophilic – having tendency to mix with water (minerals &
inorganic solids)
Contd…
• Applications: mineral or ore processing
• Promotors: Ethyl xanthate
• Collectors: Pine oil
• Frothing agents/frothers : liquid soap, pine oil,
methyl amyl alcohol etc.
 Flotation cell
• Construction:
Contd…

• Working :
• Water is taken into the cell, material is fed to the cell.
• Promotors and frothers are added
• Hydrophilic particles will sink to the bottom and removed
from the discharge for tailings.
 Electrostatic separation
• Electrostatic separation is a method of separation of solid
particles based on the differential attraction or repulsion of
charged particles under the influence of an electric field.

• The difference in the electrical properties(conductivity) of

different materials is responsible for such a separation.

• Solid particles can receive the surface charge by any one of

the following method:
i. Contact electrification
ii. Electrification by conductive induction
iii. Electrification by bombardment
 MCQ
Q: In froth flotation, separation of a solid feed mixture
depends upon differences in the……………..of the
material.
a. Chemical properties
b. Surface properties
c. Electrical properties
d. None of the above
 Electrostatic separator
• Separation based on electrical properties
(conductivities)
 Cyclone separator
• Centrifugal force throws the solid particles out against the
wall of the vessel.
• Gravitational force
Liquid cyclone (or Hydroclone)
 MCQ
Q: Working of cyclone separator is based on the..……….
a. Centrifugal force
b. Gravitational force
c. Electromagnetic force
d. Both (a) and (b)
 Magnetic separator
• Magnetic separation is a method of separating solid particles
by means of a magnetic field. In this method, material having
different magnetic attractability are separated by passing them
through a magnetic field.
• The difference in magnetic properties of different materials is
responsible for such separation.

• Solids are classified as

(i) Diamagnetic solids: when placed in a magnetic field are
repelled by it.
(ii) Paramagnetic solids: when placed in a magnetic field are
attracted by the magnetic field.
• Magnetic separator are employed for tramp iron removal,
are two types---
(i) Magnetic pulleys
Contd…
(ii) Magnetic drums separator
 MCQ
1. Solid particle is repelled by magnetic field.
a. Diamagnetic solids
b. Paramagnetic solids
c. Neutral solids
d. None of these
 MCQ
2. Which solid particle is attracted by magnetic
fields?
a. Diamagnetic solid
b. Paramagnetic solid
c. Neutral solid
d. None of these
 Electrostatic precipitator (ESP)
• A dry ESP electrically charges the ash particles and imparts a
strong electric field in the flue gas to collect and remove them.
An ESP is comprised of a series of parallel, vertical metallic
plates (collecting electrodes) forming lanes through which the
flue gas passes.