Scale and numerical modeling of an air-based density separator

The development of an air-based density separator for effectively treating finer-size fraction (6 mm × 1 mm) of run-of-mine coal is essential for the industry. Based on the derived scaling laws, the full-scale model of a laboratory air-based density separator and a prototype model scaled down by the factor of ½ in the X, Y, and Z directions were simulated using numerical methods. The air velocity contour plots, vector plots, and turbulent intensity values were used to validate the scaling laws. The absolute percent difference of air velocity between the two models was 3.83 %. In addition to this finding, the air velocity contour and vector plot and the turbulent intensity contours in two models showed modest variation, thereby indicating the validity of the scaling laws. The publication details the development of the full-scale and the prototype numerical models and the correlation of the derived scaling laws with the numerical and the experimental results.