Chapter 11
Experimental Study and Modelling
of Particle Behaviour in a Multi-stage
Zigzag Air Classifier
Eduard Lukas, Christoph Roloff, Hannes Mann, Kristin Kerst,
Thomas Hagemeier, Berend van Wachem, Dominique Thévenin,
and Jürgen Tomas
Abstract In most industrial solid processing operations, the classification of particles is important and designed based on the terminal settling velocity as the main
control parameter. This settling velocity is dependent on characteristic particle properties like size, density, and shape. Turbulent particle diffusion is the other key property controlling the efficiency of the separation. In this project, multi-stage separation
experiments of a variety of materials have been performed using different flow velocities, mass loadings of the air, number of stages. Separation has been investigated
separately concerning particle size, particle density, and particle shape. Continuous operation in terms of solid material and airflow has been mostly considered.
However, variations in mass loading and pulsating operation of the fan have been
investigated as well. The performance has been analyzed and discussed with respect
to the separation functions, for instance regarding separation sharpness. Several modelling approaches have been checked and/or developed to describe theoretically the
corresponding observations. After fitting the free model parameters, a very good
agreement has been obtained compared to experimental measurements. Finally, the
reduced model has been implemented into the central software DYSSOL.
E. Lukas · H. Mann · B. van Wachem · J. Tomas (Deceased)
Laboratory of Mechanical Process Engineering, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg,
Magdeburg, Germany
e-mail: eduard.lukas@ovgu.de
B. van Wachem
e-mail: berend.vanwachem@ovgu.de
C. Roloff · K. Kerst · T. Hagemeier · D. Thévenin (B)
Laboratory of Fluid Dynamics and Technical Flows, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg,
Magdeburg, Germany
e-mail: thevenin@ovgu.de
C. Roloff
e-mail: christoph.roloff@ovgu.de
K. Kerst
e-mail: kristin.kerst@ovgu.de
T. Hagemeier
e-mail: thomas.hagemeier@ovgu.de
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
S. Heinrich (ed.), Dynamic Flowsheet Simulation of Solids Processes,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45168-4_11
391
Experimental Study and Modelling
of Particle Behaviour in a Multi-stage
Zigzag Air Classifier
Eduard Lukas, Christoph Roloff, Hannes Mann, Kristin Kerst,
Thomas Hagemeier, Berend van Wachem, Dominique Thévenin,
and Jürgen Tomas
Abstract In most industrial solid processing operations, the classification of particles is important and designed based on the terminal settling velocity as the main
control parameter. This settling velocity is dependent on characteristic particle properties like size, density, and shape. Turbulent particle diffusion is the other key property controlling the efficiency of the separation. In this project, multi-stage separation
experiments of a variety of materials have been performed using different flow velocities, mass loadings of the air, number of stages. Separation has been investigated
separately concerning particle size, particle density, and particle shape. Continuous operation in terms of solid material and airflow has been mostly considered.
However, variations in mass loading and pulsating operation of the fan have been
investigated as well. The performance has been analyzed and discussed with respect
to the separation functions, for instance regarding separation sharpness. Several modelling approaches have been checked and/or developed to describe theoretically the
corresponding observations. After fitting the free model parameters, a very good
agreement has been obtained compared to experimental measurements. Finally, the
reduced model has been implemented into the central software DYSSOL.
E. Lukas · H. Mann · B. van Wachem · J. Tomas (Deceased)
Laboratory of Mechanical Process Engineering, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg,
Magdeburg, Germany
e-mail: eduard.lukas@ovgu.de
B. van Wachem
e-mail: berend.vanwachem@ovgu.de
C. Roloff · K. Kerst · T. Hagemeier · D. Thévenin (B)
Laboratory of Fluid Dynamics and Technical Flows, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg,
Magdeburg, Germany
e-mail: thevenin@ovgu.de
C. Roloff
e-mail: christoph.roloff@ovgu.de
K. Kerst
e-mail: kristin.kerst@ovgu.de
T. Hagemeier
e-mail: thomas.hagemeier@ovgu.de
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
S. Heinrich (ed.), Dynamic Flowsheet Simulation of Solids Processes,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45168-4_11
391