YERÇEKİMİ İLE ZENGİNLEŞTİRME EKİPMANLARINDA TANE BOYUNUN ETKİSİNİN İNCELENMESİ

In this thesis, the objective is to investigate the influence of particle size on separation performances in gravity concentration equipment, as well as to elucidate the separation mechanisms of coarse and fine particles. Experimental studies were conducted using artificial mixtures of quartz and magnetite with tests performed on spiral concentrators, shaking tables, Falcon concentrators, and Multi-Gravity Separators (MGS). Additionally, data from sampling studies conducted in a chrome enrichment plant’s spiral enrichment circuit were utilized. In the enrichment experiments, samples of feed, waste, and concentrate were collected, subjected to chemical analysis based on size fractions, and evaluated for yield, separation efficiency, tenor, and tenor upgrade ratios based on particle size. The results indicated that the separation performance values correlated positively with increasing particle size up to a certain point, after which a decline in performance was observed with further increases in particle size. The average separation performance reached up to 95% in shaking tables, 78% in spiral concentrators, and 48% in Falcon concentrators. MGS tests with the -150+38 µm fraction exhibited lower values. The relationship between particle size and separation performance can be described by a second-degree polynomial. A linear relationship was observed between particle settling rates and optimal particle sizes, while the decline in performance at larger sizes is thought to be influenced by Bagnold's forces proportional to the square of the particle diameter.