GRAVITATIONAL

CONCENTRATION
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Concentration is the separation of minerals based on physical or
chemical properties.The purpose of concentration is to separate
the wanted minerals from unwanted gangue.Gravity
concentration is used to separate minerals of different size and
specific gravity by their relative movement in response to
gravity or many other forces especially resistance to motion due
to a viscous fluid such as water or air .lt is essential that
minerals are well liberated for effective separation,there must be
a marked difference in density between valueble minerals and
gangueGravity separation devices include jigs , spirals, shaking
tables, knelson concentrators , molzey concentrators and the
sluices .
JIG CONCENTRATOR

Are used to concentrate relative coarse material. For narrow specific

gravity differences a closed sized feed is required. When the specific
gravity difference is large , good separation is achieved even with a
wider difference in size . jiggingIs a method of sorting particles by
stratification based on movement of a bed of particles relative to a fluid
in a vertical plane. Stratification ralate to the movement of particles in a
vertical plane . A Jig is an open tank filled with water with a horizontal
screen at the top and a spigot in the bottom or a hutch compartment for
concentrate removal . The bed of the jig consists of a layer or coarse ,
heavy particles or ragging , placed on the screen on to which pulp is
fed .Grains with a high specific gravity penetrate through the ragging on
the screen to report as concentrateSeparation of minerals of different
specific gravity is achieved as a result of stratification produced by a
fluidizing pulsating / throbbing current of water or air .
Th feed bed is dilated so that the heavier smaller particles
penetrate the interstices of the bed and large high specific
gravity particles fall under hindered settling conditions.The
pulsating fluid current in the jig produces a sinosuidal flow .The
pulsations are produced by the action of pistons or alternating
air currents. On the pulsating stroke the bed is lifted as a mass
and as the velocity decreases the bed dilates and particles at the
bottom until the whole bed is loosened. On the suction stroke
the bed closes slowly again and this is repeated every half
cycle . Cycle frequency ranges from 55 to 330 cycles per
minute. Acceleration of the particle depends on the density of
the fluid and of the particle size
KNELSON CONCENTRATOR

In 1976, Benjamin Virgil (Byron) Knelson changed the face of

the gravity concentration industry to what mining professionals
know it as today. This was the year the the first Knelson
Concentrator was tested

.- [ ] In the knelson concentrator particles are subjected to

centrifugal force ≈ 60 × 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒.

- [ ] This enables the recovery of very fine particles.

- - [ ] Water is introduced into the rotating concentrator cone

through a series of fluidization holes.

- - [ ] Feed slurry is then introduced through a stationery tube.

The slurry gets to the bottom of
- [ ] The slurry fills each ring to capacity to create a concentrate bed

.- [ ] As water is injected into the ring, the flow is controlled to achieve

optimum fluidization. High specific gravity particles are retained in the
concentrator cone. Light particles move out of the bowl as overflow.

-[ ] When the concentrating cycle is complete (one to two minutes),

concentrates are flushed out from the cone.

ADVANTAGES

- low maintenance costs, it does not require a lot of space and good for
precious metals because it is a closed and secure component.
.
DISADVANTAGES

- It has a relatively low throughput ≈ 150 t/h, is a high cost device and
difficult to concentrate grains of heavy minerals of different
sizes effectively.
Spirals

- [ ] Spirals AKA--SPIN are sorting devices which separate materials

according to their density differences

- [ ] The Spiral Concentrator, which was invented by I. B. Humphreys

and first used in 1943 for concentrating chromite in Oregon beach
sands, consists of five or six spiral turns of a modified semicircular
launder which is about the size of a conventional automobile

- - [ ] They're extensively used to process heavy mineral sand deposits,

including monazite, zircon, ilmenite and rutile deposits.

- How it works

- - [ ] Separation on a spiral is achieved through a combination of

forces that act on particles as they move down the trough of the
spiral. These forces include gravitational friction forces etc

- - [ ] Spiral separator is one of the most effective devices for cleaning

fine coals

- - at a low cost

- - separation efficiency -
- easy to use

The shortcomings of spiral separators include

-Relatively high specific gravity cut of points

- e or multi-stage processing

- - limited acceptable feed size range Working

principles

- - [ ] Separation on a spiral is achieved through a combination

of forces that act on particles as they move down the
trough of the spiral.
Shaking tables

The first ever working table was invented in America by Arthur

Redman Wilfleyin 1896.A shaking table is a very efficient form
of gravity used to treat smaller and more difficult minerals to
produce a finer concentrate from the products of other gravity
separation operations.A shaking table consists of a slightly
inclined deck onto which feed of about 25% solids is introduced
through the feed box . Wash water is distributed and the table is
vibrated longitudinally. The mineral particles are subjected to
two forces ie due to the Mortion of the table and due to the
flowing film of water which is at the right angle to the first
force. The net result is that the particles move diagonally across
the deck.
. Vertical stratification due to the shaking action occurs in the
riffles. The finest and heaviest particles go to the bottom while
the corsest and lightest particles would be at the surface. Trough
depth decrease moving from feed side to opposite side with a
smooth part. Layers of particles are moved across the riffles by
crowding action of new feed and the flowing stream of wash.

FACTORS AFFECTING PERFORMANCE OF SHAKING

TABLES.

1. Amount of wash water

2. Amplitude of vibration -fine feed requires high speed and

shorter strokes than coarse feed.

3. Deck slope-it shud be moderate so that the heavy particles are

able to climb the riffles more readily than the less particles.
4. Particle size and shape -as the particle size range
widens,efficiency of separation decreases. Flat particles are not
efficiently separated as the cling to the deck and report to
concentrate side regardless of their specific gravity.