Centrifugal concentrator
Centrifugal concentrators are a class of gravity separation systems used to concentrate particles by their specific gravity. Centrifugal concentrators are most commonly used in the mineral processing industry, but they have also been used in coal preparation.
Centrifugal concentrators use a spinning motion to separate particles of different sizes and weights. A rotating drum is typically used, which is filled with a slurry mix of ore particles and liquid. As the drum rotates, the heavier particles are forced outwards due to centrifugal force and settle at the bottom of the drum. The lighter particles remain in suspension and are pushed out at the end of the drum.
Centrifugal concentrators are typically used when particle size is an important factor. They are particularly useful for recovering fine particles which may be too small to be recovered using traditional gravity separation methods. Centrifugal concentrators are also often used in combination with other types of separators, such as jigs and tables, for more efficient separation.
Centrifugal concentrators can be very effective in concentrating ores with a high mass yield, meaning that the desired mineral is highly enriched by the process. This can be particularly useful in gold recovery applications, where the gold can often be separated in a single step.
One of the primary advantages of centrifugal concentrators is their simplicity. Centrifugal concentrators are relatively easy to operate and have a low energy requirement. The fact that they can be used in a batch process also makes them very efficient.
Centrifugal concentrators are also generally compact and require minimal space. This makes them an ideal choice for use in small-scale operations.
The machines are also relatively cheap to maintain, making them a cost-effective solution for many mineral processing applications.
The main disadvantage of using centrifugal concentrators is their sensitivity to particle shape. If the material is not rounded, then centrifugal force can result in uneven separation.
In addition, centrifugal concentrators can be susceptible to a “bouncing effect”, which can lead to a portion of the particles being recirculated. This is why it is important to use a form of rejector to separate the desired from the undesired material.
Despite these drawbacks, centrifugal concentrators remain one of the most efficient and cost-effective methods of separating particles based on their specific gravity. They are often used in combination with finer gravitational separators and in tandem with chemical extractions, providing a multi-stage process which maximizes the concentration of ore.
