CHEMICAL & METALLURGICAL ENGINEERING

COURSE: CHMT4006-4008 DATE

Prof Jean Mulopo

TUTORIAL 2 – Multiple Particle Systems 12/03/2019

Question 1
The batch and continuous flux plots supplied in the Figure below are for a thickener of area 200 m2
handling a feed rate of 0.04 m3/s and an underflow rate of 0.025 m3/s.
(a) Using these plots, graphically determine the critical or limiting feed concentration for this thickener.
(b) Given that if the feed concentration is 0.18 m3/m3, determine the solids concentrations in
the overflow, underflow, in the regions above and below the feed well.
(c) Under the same flow rate conditions in the same thickener, the feed concentration
increases to 0.24. Estimate the new solids concentration in the overflow and the underflow once steady
state has been reached
Question 2
Using the batch flux plot data given in Table below, graphically determine the limiting feed
concentration for a thickener of area 300 m2 handling a feed rate of 0.03 m3/s and with an underflow
rate of 0.015 m3/s. determine the underflow concentration and overflow concentration under these
conditions. Sketch a possible concentration profile in the thickener clearly indicating the positions of
the overflow launder, the feed well and the point of underflow withdrawal (neglect the conical base of
the thickener).
C 0.01 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20
5.0 9.1 13.6 15.7 16.4 16.4 15.7 13.3 10.0 8.3 7.3
Flux mm/s
3
(x 10 )

C 0.22 0.24 0.26 0.28 0.30 0.32 0.34 0.36 0.38 0.40
Flux mm/s 6.7 5.6 5.1 4.5 4.2 3.8 3.5 3.3 3.0 2.9
3
(x 10 )

Under the same flow conditions as above, the concentration in the feed increases to 110% of the limiting value.
Estimate the solids concentration in the overflow, in the underflow, in the section of the thickener above the feed
well and in the section below the feed well.

Question 3
Calculate the settling velocity of glass spheres having a diameter of 155 microns in water at 293K. The slurry
contains 60 wt %solids. The density of the glass spheres is 2467 kg/m3.
How does the settling velocity change if the particles have a sphericity of 0.3 and an equivalent diameter of 155
microns?
 Question 4

A mixture of spherical particles of two materials A and B in the proportion of 1 to 3 is

to be separated using a rising stream of ZDWHU. Assuming that the size distribution for
each material is the same, and is as shown in the following table:

Diameter (µm) 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 100

Undersize (% by mass) 15 28 48 54 64 72 78 88

The particle densities for materials A and B are 7500 and 2700 kg/m3, respectively.
The viscosity and density of water are 0.001 Pa.s and 1000 kg/m3 respectively.
Assuming Stokes’ law applies:

(a) Calculate at which velocity of water there is complete separation of materials A and%

(b)Estimate the percentage of A DQG%in the material carried away ZKHQWKHZDWHUIORZV

XSZDUGDWDYHORFLW\RIPPV

X 2g
NB: The Stokes’ law is given by UT   p   f 
18

Question5

The particle size distribution of a particulate material is determined by analyzing a test

sieving. The masses being on the single sieves (see picture) were determined by
balancing [in g]. The initial weight was 190 g.
Sieve mesh [mm] Mass fraction [g]
1.33
15.34
13.44
36.56
40.34
64.02
10.79
5.31
2.27

a. Determine graphically the median particle size d50

b. Determine graphically the modal particle size