Simulation and Performance Evaluation of Three Product Dense Medium Cyclone

The conventional flowsheet of coal washing plants includes sequential units where different coal size fractions are washed. Generally, coal washeries include dense medium vessels/drums and cylones for coarse and intermediate sizes as well as spirals and flotation units for fine/ultrafine fractions. Three product-dense medium cyclones (TPDMC) may replace the traditional flowsheet, enabling coals of a wide size range to be treated at once. TPDMC is widely used in the world, particularly in China, and has many potential advantages, yet there is limited data about its performance and simulation. In this study, the performance of a 70 t/h feed capacity TPDMC used for hard coal washing was investigated and its separation behavior was simulated using two different dense medium separation models. Test results revealed that the separation performance of TPDMC was efficient, yet different geometric designs might be required for the treatment of various coal types.