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Concentration dependence of sedimentation rate of particles in coal suspensions |
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Concentration dependence of sedimentation rate of particles in coal suspensions Authors: W.P. Kowalski, M. Banaś
The paper investigates the concentration dependence of the sedimentation rate of particles in coal-containing suspensions. Contradictory literature data on the effects of concentration on the sedimentation rate of solid particles in suspensions have prompted the research investigation in that field. Einstein's theoretical considerations lead us to the well-known conclusion that viscosity of a suspension increases with an increase of its concentration. An increase in viscosity brings about the reduction of the settling velocity, derived from the Stokes formula. Barfod, Pieńkowska and Herczyński identified another mechanism, revealed in a certain range of concentrations, which is responsible for an enhanced sedimentation rate. This mechanism is distinctly revealed during sedimentation of suspensions from metallurgical processes. This effect was also observed by Sontag who studied the sedimentation processes with tiny glass balls as the dispersed phase. The focus of this paper is on this particular effect in coal-containing suspensions. The research investigations were conducted to verify the hypothesis that in a certain range of concentrations the settling rate in diluted solutions is increased, thereby improving the sedimentation efficiency and even reducing the solid concentrations in a clarified suspension despite the increase in solid phase concentration of the suspension to be clarified. The research investigation involves the measurement of major parameters of statistical grain size distribution, followed by computation of the sedimentation efficiency for the given parameters. Finally, the concentration of the clarified suspension is derived, knowing the concentration of the suspension to be clarified for which the parameters of the statistical grain size distribution are established. The verification procedure and computations of grain size characteristics were executed using the laboratory facilities. The mathematical model was utilised to develop a package of computer software for simulations of the concentration dependence of the sedimentation rate. Evidence from this study suggests that the mechanism responsible for an increase of the sedimentation rate and eliminating its reduction due to increased viscosity is also apparent in the case of coal-containing suspensions. This effect might be attributable to auto-coagulation of grains. Practical applications of this research program include the processes where the solid concentration is enhanced to minimise the concentration of the clarified suspension. In practical solutions a proportion of thickened suspension might be returned to the stream of feed and by so doing the concentration of suspension in the overflow will be reduced. A similar technique has been successfully applied to water cycles in the metallurgical industry, supported by electromagnetic coagulation to which the investigated effect was attributed. As regards the modernisation of sedimentation tanks by providing lamella packets, the results of this study might be well utilised to determine the levels at which lamella packets are to be mounted, so far that has been mostly done intuitively.
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2011