Lect 4
Lect 4
Lecture 04:
a. Particle Size Estimation and Industrial Screens
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Concepts:
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Keywords:
• Sieve-analysis
• Mesh number
• Elutriator
• Martin’s and Ferret’s diameter
• Cumulative %passing - size distribution
• Trommel Screen
• Gyratory Screen
• Roller Screen
• Grizzly Screen
• Banana Screen
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Methods of Size Estimation
• 1. Sieve Analysis: The particle size
can be characterized by determining Elutriator
the size of sieve hole or aperture the
particle will just pass through
(oldest & most common method).
• 2. Sedimentation Method: The time
the particle takes to settle in a fluid
(water) and express the particle size
as the size of a sphere that has the
same settling rate (Stokes
diameter).
• 3. Microscopic Methods: Visual
examination under the optical
microscope or electron microscope
or the diffraction of a laser beam to v = d2g( - )/18 Stokes’ Law
t s f
derive statistical dimensions of
particles. Ratio of the max to min diameter
of the particles should be < 4
Stokes diameter x 0.94 = sieve size (approx)
Methods of Size Estimation
Log-linear plot of cumulative % passing (undersize) vs. size, Log-log plot of cumulative % passing (undersize) vs. size,
Gaudin-Schuhmann 𝑥 𝑎
distribution y=100
𝑘
For determination of 80% passing size, cumulative weight percentages passing are to be
calculated by adding the weight percentages from the bottom. All the values are shown
in the next Table
Sieve Analysis
A horizontal line is drawn at 80% cumulative weight percent passing. From the point of
intersection of this horizontal line with the curve, a vertical line is drawn on to the x-axis.
The point at which the vertical line meets x-axis is the 80% passing size. It is 580 microns.
Industrial Screening
• The screen is a surface having many apertures/holes,
usually with uniform dimensions.
• Particles presented to a screen surface either pass
through or are retained, according to whether the
particles are smaller or larger than the governing
dimensions of the apertures.
• Dry screening is generally limited to material above 5
mm (to 300mm) in size, while wet screening down to
ca. 250 μm is common. Sizing below 250 μm is more
commonly undertaken by classification.
• Screen efficiency (often called the effectiveness of a
screen) is a measure of the success of a screen in
closely separating oversize and undersize materials.
• Particle Size, Feed Rate, Screen Angle, Particle Shape,
Open Area, Vibration, Moisture affect effectiveness
Classification of screen according to their mode of work
The probability (p) of passage
for a spherical particle of size d
through a square aperture of a
size x made by a wire of
diameter w in a single event is:
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Ex 2: A quartz mixture is screened through a 1.5 mm
screen to obtain +1.5 mm fraction. The size analysis of
feed, overflow and underflow is shown in Table.
Calculate the effectiveness of the screen.
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References
1. Mineral Processing Technology, 8th Ed., Barry A. Wills and James
A. Finch, 2016, Elsevier Ltd.
2. Mineral Processing, Jan Drzymala, 2007, Wroclaw University of
Technology.
3.Chemical Metallurgy: Principles and Practice. Chiranjib Kumar
Gupta, 2003, WILEY-VCH
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