US EPA

3726524 

Journal Article 

The Lamella High Shear Rate REFLUX (TM) Classifier 

Orupold, T; Starr, D; Kenefick, T 

2014 

114 

7 

511-518 

WOS:000356757300003 

Synopsis This paper covers the commercial development of gravity separation of fine particles using a Lamella High Shear Rate REFLUX (TM), Classifier (REFLUX (TM) Classifier), focusing primarily on coal applications. The REFLUX (TM) Classifier is a fluidized bed device that incorporates a system of closely spaced parallel inclined channels located above the fluidized bed. These channels make it possible to achieve a significant suppression of the effects of particle size, resulting in a highly effective separation on the basis of density. The improved gravity separation performance is shown to be remarkably high, with a significant reduction in the variation of separation density with particle size, and a significant reduction in the change in Ecart probable error (Ep) with size. The first full commercial-sized units of the REFLUX (TM) Classifier were field-tested in late 2009 in coal applications. More recently, the technology has been applied in fine particle separation in minerals applications and there are a number of full-sized units operating in chrome applications in South Africa. Initially, pilot-scaled units (typically the RC (TM) 300) were trialled in iron ore, mineral sands, and manganese plants amongst other minerals, typically after other technologies failed to achieve the desired results. Currently a number of laboratories globally are carrying out more testing in minerals applications. More than 50 RC (TM) units are now operating in coal and minerals applications. This paper introduces the REFLUX (TM), Classifier technology, identifies commercial applications, and gives some commercial results. 

gravity separation; classification; fluidized bed