Characterization of the Effective Density for the Separation of Immersed Objects in the Gas-Solid Fluidized Bed Coal Beneficiator

Effective density for the separation of immersed objects which determines the performance of coal dry beneficiation is of primary importance for Gas-Solid Fluidized Bed Coal Beneficiator (GSFBCB) applications. Of all factors affecting the effective density, fluidization hydrodynamics and properties of medium particles and immersed objects play the dominant roles. By correlating all available experimental data found in the literature, a general correlation has been developed for the first time to predict the effective density for immersed object separation in fluidized beds, ρ_sep = 0.95ρ_bed + 1.88ρ_drag, where ρ_bed is the fluidized bed density, and ρ_drag is the effective bed density contributed by fluidization hydrodynamics. This correlation could accurately predict the effective density for various immersed objects in fluidized beds with single or binary particle systems in existing experimental results. With wide applicability and great accuracy, the proposed correlation not only provides an efficient way for the design and operation of the GSFBCB for coal dry beneficiation but also is applicable for iron and copper ore pretreatment, agricultural crop cleaning, municipal solid waste classification, etc.