Clay Minerals (1973) 10t 99.

THI CKENI NG FLOCCULATED KAOLI NI TE

SLURRI ES IN THE NOZZLE DI SCHARGE, MULTI -
DI SC, BOWL CENTRI FUGE
R. E. BROCI NER AND E. C. VOLLANS
Research Laboratories, English Clays Lovering Pochin & Co. Ltd, St ,4ustell
(Received 9 November 1972; revised May 1973)
ABSTRACT: Three semi-empirical equations are derived to characterize the per-
formance of the nozzle discharge centrifuge as a thickener for flocculated kaolinite
slurries. The first equation relates mass throughput to machine size and speed, the
number and size of nozzles and the product concentration. The second equation relates
the maximum clear effluent rate to the settling characteristics of the slurry and to
machine parameters. The third equation relates power consumption to product and
effluent rates and to machine parameters. Finally a numerical example of the use of
the equations is given.
I NTRODUCTI ON
Thickening of clay slurries is most commonl y used as a method of increasing the solids
concentration of the feed to a filterpress. A recessed plate, or plate and frame, filter can
be considered as a constant pressure filter with a constant final cake thickness. Ignoring
the resistance to flow of filtrate due to the filter medium:
t r f l
= 2 AAp (1)
For the special condition of the fixed volume chamber filter, the time of filtration is
proportional to the volume of filtrate removed. Filtration of a commercial china clay
at a pressure of 1.137 MNm - z (150 p.s.i.g.) produced a filtercake with a water content
of 30 ~o (w/w) (Gwilliam, 1971). The filtrate volume per unit weight of dry clay in the
filtercake can be calculated. Where the filtered solids are the end product, the power
and capital costs are inversely proportional to the output rate, so that increasing the
feed concentration reduces filtration costs. The theological properties of flocculated
china clay set an upper limit of 40 ~o (w/w) on the concentration of feed to the filter-
press. Above this concentration the suspension becomes too viscous to be pumped by
centrifugal pumps. Moreover the benefit resulting from further concentration rapidly
100 R. E. Brociner and E. C. Vollans
di mi ni s he s due t o t he s ma l l a mo u n t o f wa t e r r e ma i n i n g i n t he s us pens i on. The s e f a c t or s
a r e i l l us t r a t e d i n Ta b l e 1.
TABLE 1. Capital and power costs related to feed concentration and to filtrate volume
per unit weight of dry clay
Concentration of clay in
feed to filterpress (w/w ~)
Volume of filtrate per
unit weight of dry clay
(m3/kg)
Relative capital and
power costs (arbitrary units)
5 18"7 x 10-3 15-6
10 8-7 x 10 -3 7-3
15 5. 7x 10 -3 4-8
20 3"7x 10 -3 3-1
30 2"0 10 -3 1"7
40 1"2 x 10 -3 1
Wh e n a f l oc c ul a t e d c h i n a c l a y s l ur r y i s c o n c e n t r a t e d b y s et t l i ng i n t h i c k e n i n g t a n k s
t he s et t l i ng r a t e i s i nve r s e l y p r o p o r t i o n a l t o t he f eed c o n c e n t r a t i o n wh e n t he f e e d
c o n c e n t r a t i o n i s l ow. Ab o v e 6 ~o c o n c e n t r a t i o n ( w/ w) t he s e t t l i ng r a t e de c r e a s e s mo r e
r a p i d l y as t he c o n c e n t r a t i o n i nc r e a s e s unt i l a t a b o u t 12 ~o ( w/ w) t he ve r y s l ow s et t l i ng
r a t e o f t he f l oc c o mp r e s s i o n s t age i s r e a c he d. Thi s b e h a v i o u r , whi c h i s t y p i c a l o f s us pe n-
E
t I t I r I t I t I
1.00 1.02 104 106 1-08 1.10
, o f
I I I I I I
0 0- 03 006 0. 09 012 015
r
FzG. 1. A typical relation between the settling rate and concentration for a flocculated
fine mineral suspension such as kaolinite.
Thi ckeni ng kaol i ni t e slurries in the nozzl e discharge cent ri f uge 101
sions of fine mineral particles (Coe & Clevenger, 1970) is illustrated i n Fig. 1. When the
rate of settling reduces t o the floe compression rate furt her concent rat i on of the slurry
by gravity thickening becomes uneconomic. Centrifugal thickening, which increases
the pressure on the floes in the sediment, possesses the potential of higher product
concentrations t han does gravity thickening.
The nozzle discharge centrifuge (Fig. 2) is the most suitable machine for t he
cont i nuous thickening of aqueous suspensions of flocculated minerals of small
( < 15/zm) ultimate particle size. Scroll discharge centrifuges give poor effluent clarities
wi t h suspensions as fine as commercial china clay al t hough t hey are used t o dewater
coarser solid suspensions. Solid bowl machines produce a semi-solid cake which must
be discharged periodically.
The i nadequat e underst andi ng of the behaviour of flocculated slurries i n centri-
fuges prevents theoretical performance predictions. The Z fact or concept (Ambler,
1952) can be used for particles settling in a centrifuge of simple geometry in accordance
wi t h Stokes' Law. For a solid bowl centrifuge, with a t hi n dept h of liquid, the volumet-
ric feed rat e t o ensure t hat all particles coarser t han a specified size are separat ed is
given by Q where:
Q = v2; (2)
v is the free settling velocity of the specified particle in the gravitational field and
is equal t o the area of a gravity settling t ank with t he same separating capacity as the
centrifuge. N is given by:
V' .
L g _l AR (3)
Equat i on (2) has been modified empirically (Murkes, 1966) t o apply t o the geo-
metrically more complex multi-disc, bowl centrifuge. Murkes gives:
r " ' l E " ] [ 1
Q -- v 4120 1.s . (4) k g J ~ Nc o t ~ R 1 2 " 7 5 - R 2 2 " 7 5
Where, Q = t hr oughput (litres per hour); v = Stokes settling velocity of the
particle in suspension; [Ro~2/g] = ' G' factor, or ratio of centrifugal t o gravi t at i onal
force; n = machi ne speed (revolutions per mi nut e); N = number of discs; ~ = the hal f
cone angle of the discs; R t = the outer radius of the disc st ack; R 2 = the i nner radius
of the disc st ack.
Equat i on (4) is not dimensionally homogeneous and contains no t erm t o account
for the product split i nt o underflow and overflow as a result of the fitting of discharge
nozzles. ' v' is an unsuitable paramet er for describing the settling behaviour of floes of
unknown size and unknown behaviour in the centrifuge. In gravity thickening the feed
concent rat i on affects the settling rate.
The work report ed in this paper develops the relation between centrifuge geomet ry
and thickening capacity. It takes i nt o account the effect of slurry thickening character-
istics and the size and number of nozzles on the degree of concent rat i on achieved. I n
part i cul ar it makes it possible t o predict centrifuge performance and power consump-
t i on for any specific thickening duty.
102 R. E. Brociner and E. C.
<_D
Feed
Vollans
Product
Rotation
Nozzle
j , '
Ft~. 2. Diagrammatic vertical and horizontal sections of the nozzle discharge, multi,
disc centrifuge.
Thickening kaolinite slurries in the nozzle discharge centrifuge 103
THE MECHANI SM OF THI CKENI NG I N THE NOZZLE,
DI SC CENTRI FUGE
The feed suspension enters at the axis of rotation and flows to the base of the bowl.
As the bowl fills liquid is discharged from the nozzles because of the pressure resulting
from the centrifugal force. Provided that the feed rate to the centrifuge exceeds the
nozzle discharge rate some of the liquid flows up between the discs and exits through
the effluent discharge ports, close to the axis of rotation.
Between the discs the flocs are accelerated radially outward so that the solids con-
centrate on the underside of the discs while the clear effluent appears on the upper disc
surfaces. The difference in specific gravity of the clear effluent and the concentrated
suspension causes the concentrate to flow down the discs towards the bowl circum-
ference, while the effluent flows up the discs to the discharge port. At the outer
circumference of the discs the concentrate streams through the incoming suspension.
The residence time of the concentrated suspension is determined by the centrifugal
pressure at the bowl circumference and also the number and diameter of nozzles. The
longer the residence time, the higher will be the concentration of the product provided
that the limit of floc compression has not been reached.
In practice the desired degree of slurry concentration may be achieved in a number
of ways. (i) The correct choice of operating parameters entails only one pass through
the machine. (ii) If a small nozzle size is required for one pass thickening, with a
consequent danger of nozzle blocking, larger nozzles can be used. A portion of the
product would then need to be recycled to the feed. (iii) Two or more machines could
be run in series. In (i) the minimum amount of liquid is accelerated to the bowl
circumference it would probably represent the case of most efficient energy utilization.
The factors causing the precise behaviour of the flocculated suspension in the
centrifuge are unknown making it necessary to utilize a number of simplifying
assumptions. These are as follows.
0) Under equilibrium conditions a clear fluid, suspension interface is located within
the machine. An increase in the feed rate would move the interface in the direction of
the effluent discharge port and result in a turbid effluent. (ii) The rate of concentration
is a linear function of the feed concentration and this relation holds to higher values of
concentration than in the case of gravity thickening. (iii) Under the high shear rate
conditions in the nozzle the concentration changes due to different operating conditions
do not change the viscosity of the suspension. Because flocculated china clay is shear
thinning this assumption is not unreasonable. It also means that the viscosity of the
suspension in the nozzle will be low.
M a s s t h r o u g h p u t
The pressure at the wall of a centrifuge running full of liquid is given by (Coulson &
Richardson, 1955)"
p ~ p o j 2 R 2 . (5)
104 R. E. Brociner and E. C. Vollans
Du r i n g t he t ri al s, usi ng chi na cl ay suspensi ons, t he f l ow condi t i ons i n t he nozzl e
gave hi gh Re ynol ds n u mb e r s so t ha t t he vi scosi t y o f t he s us pens i on ha d little i nfl uence
o n t he f l ow vel oci t y. The f l ow vel oci t y can t hus be gi ven b y :
Vel oci t y ~ [ P ] 89 . (6)
F o r a cent r i f ug e fi t t ed wi t h ' n' nozzl es o f di amet er ' d' e qua t i ons (5) a nd (6) c a n be
c o mb i n e d t o gi ve t he vol ume f l ow r at e f r o m t he nozzl es as:
Vp ~ ~oRnd 2 . (7)
The mas s f l ow r at e M o f cl ay c a n be obt a i ne d f r o m t he specific gr avi t y pp o f t he
nozzl e p r o d u c t s us pens i on a nd t he concent r at i on, e, o f t he cl ay i n t he s us pens i on as:
M = Vppvc x 10 3 (8)
a nd f or chi na cl ay wa t e r sl urri es t he r el at i on be t we e n c onc e nt r a t i on a nd sl ur r y specific
gr avi t y is gi ven b y :
l ' 6( p~- - 1)
c - (9)
Pp
Combi ni ng e q u a t i o n (7), (8) a nd (9) t he ma s s t h r o u g h p u t o f t he cent r i f uge be c ome s :
M = Kl , o ~ d 2 ( p , - 1) . (10)
Pr ovi de d no sol i ds ar e l os t i n t he effluent, e qua t i on (10) gives t he mas s t h r o u g h p u t
o f t he cent r i f uge i n t e r ms o f ma c hi ne pa r a me t e r s a nd p r o d u c t specific gr avi t y.
Ef f l uent v ol ume r at e
The set t l i ng b e h a v i o u r o f f l occul at ed chi na cl ay at l ow c onc e nt r a t i on is si mi l ar t o
ot he r mi ner al suspensi ons. The set t l i ng r at es f or a q u e o u s cal ci um c a r b o n a t e suspen-
si ons ove r a vol ume c onc e nt r a t i on r ange o f 1-8 ~ , ( Coul s on & Ri c ha r ds on, 1955)
s how a r el at i on o f set t l i ng t o i ni t i al c onc e nt r a t i on si mi l ar t o t ha t f o u n d f or chi na cl ay
s us pens i on (see Fi g. 1).
The set t l i ng rat e, s, i n t hi s c onc e nt r a t i on r ange c a n be des cr i bed b y :
s = k l - k 2 e , (11)
wher e k 1 a nd k 2 ar e cons t ant s .
Dur i ng cent r i f ugal t hi ckeni ng t he set t l i ng r at e s houl di ncr eas e p r o p o r t i o n a t e l y t o t h e
r at i o o f cent r i f ugal t o gr avi t at i onal accel er at i on. I nt r oduc i ng t hi s f a c t or i nt o e q u a t i o n
(1 t ) a nd s ubs t i t ut i ng s l ur r y specific gravi t i es f o r c onc e nt r a t i on gi ves:
s c ~ k t - k 2 (12)
k g l Pf J
At s t eady st at e t he ma x i mu m effl uent vel oci t y mus t equal t he set t l i ng r at e o f t he
Thickening kaolinite slurries in the nozzle discharge centrifuge 105
suspension. Consequently the maxi mum, solids free, effluent volume rate possible will
be given by"
[ Pr - 1] (13)
Ve = m 2 R K z - K 3 Pr d "
K 2 and K a depend only on the settling behaviour of the clay suspension.
Power consumption
The power used by the centrifuge is determined by the mass of suspension which is
accelerated and by energy dissipated in air and drive friction.
The nozzle product is accelerated to the peripheral velocity of the bowl. The rate of
energy supplied is:
t.oZR 2 Vppp.
The nozzle product is ejected tangentially to the centrifuge bowl, but approximately
half the kinetic energy is recovered by the reaction on the bowl since some energy is
dissipated within the nozzles by fluid friction. The power needed for the nozzle
product will be:
P1 = K4~2R2VI, pp 9 (14)
K 4 is a proportionality constant allowing for the energy recovery less nozzle friction
energy dissipation.
The effluent returns to the centre of rotation of the centrifuge before it is discharged
so that the net energy expenditure is due to fluid friction losses within the machine
(mainly between the discs). Hence the power needed for the effluent will be:
P2 = K5c~ 9 ( 1 5 )
K 5 is a proportionality constant allowing for fluid friction energy dissipation.
For convenience let the drive and air friction be assumed to be:
P3 = K6 c ~ 9 (16)
The total power consumption of the machine will be given by combining equations
(14), (15) and (16):
P = m 2 R 2 [ X4 Vp p p +Xs Ve +K6 ] . (17)
The nozzle reaction effect
The nozzle reaction effect provides an alternative method of calculating K4 without
direct measurement of power.
The power supplied to the undertow will be the product of half the kinetic energy
per unit mass and the mass flow rate of the under flow. The kinetic energy is halved
because of the reaction upon the centrifuge bowl of the tangentially ejected undertow.
The kinetic energy per unit mass is given by:
t o2R 2
2
1 0 6
and the underflow mass flow rate is given by"
R. E. Brociner and E. C. Vollans
v . p , .
eo2R 2
The power to the underftow is:
P 1 -
equating (18) with (14) to determine K4:
- - - v.p. ( 1 8 )
to2R 2
2 VrPP = ~
/s = 0.25.
The value of K 4 being identical to that determined experimentally.
EXPERI MENTAL
An Alfa-Laval QX210 centrifuge was used to thicken English China Clays S.P.S. grade
clay suspension. The centrifuge had an internal bowl diameter of 0.475 m and a speed
of 633 rad s- ~. It was fitted with eighty discs and provision for twelve nozzles around the
circumference of the bowl. Nozzles were available with diameters of 1.0-1.5 mm.
The clay suspension fed to the centrifuge had a concentration range of 3-16%
which corresponds to a slurry specific gravity range of 1.02-1.12. The slurry pH was
adjusted to 3-5 to ensure flocculation of the clay. The chemical analysis of the clay was"
Si02, 46-2%; A1203, 38. 7~; Fez0a, 0"56~; Ca0, 0. 2~; Mg0, 0"2~o; K20, 1.01%;
Na20, 0.07 %.
Mineralogically the clay was kaolinite with traces of felspar, muscovite mica,
quartz and montmorillonite. 80 % of the particles by weight were finer than 2 t~m
measured by Stokes sedimentation. Not more than 0.2 % by weight were larger than
10/~m.
Flow rates to and from the centrifuge were measured using electromagnetic flow
meters. Concentrations of feed slurry and nozzle product were measured by hydro-
meter. The concentration of clay in the overflow was measured by comparative
turbidity and by gravimetric methods.
Centrifuge speed was measured by a fitted tachometer and centrifuge power was
measured by electrical power measurement corrected for power factor and motor
efficiency.
Re s u l t s
Ma s s t hr oughput . The resuRs of plotting the mass throughput against nd2(pp u 1)
are given in Fig. 3. Only a small proportion of all results obtained are given to illustrate
the technique. The value of K~ in equation (10) can be calculated from the known values
of R, o~ and using Fig. 3. Equation (10) becomes:
M = 1.18 103 o J R n d 2 ( p v - 1). (10a)
Thickening kaolinite slurries in the nozzle discharge centrifuge 1 0 7
I-O--
o
0 - 8
x
o
o A&
0 6 ~
xl
0 0 Xo
~ ox
0 . 4 o x A
0
X
o x A
o

0.2 A
x
I I I I I
0.0rh,.. I 2 3 4 , 5
nd 2 ( f p-l)
FIG. 3. Relation between product mass flow (M) and nozzle diameter (d), number of
nozzles (n) and product specific gravity (pp). x , One pass, d = 1"15 mm; O, one pass,
d = 1"3 mm; A, one pass, d = 1-45 mm; 0 , recirculation, d = I" 3 mm; 9 recirculation,
d = 1"45 mm.
The maximum clear effluent rate. Be c a us e o f t he di f f i cul t y i n de t e r mi ni ng t he p o i n t
o f c ha ng e b e t we e n t he a bs e nc e a nd t he a ppe a r a nc e o f c l ay i n t he ef f l uent , a v a l ue o f
250 p. p. m, o f s ol i ds wa s c h o s e n as t he ef f l uent qual i t y s t andard a nd as s e s s e d dur i ng t he
e x pe r i me nt s by t urbi di t y c o mp a r i s o n s agai ns t k n o w n s t andards . Va l ue s o f t he ef f l uent
rat e wi t h 250 p. p. m, by we i g ht o f c l ay are pl ot t e d agai ns t f e e d sl urry s ol i ds c o nc e nt r a -
t i o n i n Fi g. 4. Us i n g t he s e res ul t s t he v a l ue s o f K2 a n d / ( 3 i n e q u a t i o n (13) are c al c ul at e d
t o gi ve:
I' -
v e - - o ~ 2 R / 2 " 7 9 10 - 8 - 1 . 8 6 10 - 7 Or - 1 1 . ( 13a)
L Pf J
I t mu s t be e mp h a s i z e d t hat t he ma c h i n e c a n be o pe r a t e d wi t h ef f l uent v o l u me rat es
a b o v e o r b e l o w Ve as de t e r mi ne d by e q u a t i o n ( 13a) . At l o we r rat es t he ma x i mu m
t hi c ke ni ng c a pa c i t y o f t he c e nt r i f uge i s n o t ut i l i zed. At hi ghe r rat es t he s ol i ds c o nc e nt r a -
t i o n o f c l ay i n t he ef f l uent wi l l i ncreas e.
The power consumption. Pr o v i de d t hat t he ma c h i n e i s r unni ng f ul l o f l i qui d, t he
n o z z l e v o l u me rat e wi l l be a ppr o x i ma t e l y c o n s t a n t f o r a f e e d n o z z l e s i ze a nd ma c h i n e
s peed. P o we r c o n s u mp t i o n me a s u r e me n t s t a k e n dur i ng s t e pwi s e f e e d rat e r e duc t i ons ,
wi t h c o n s e q u e n t ef f l uent rat e r e duc t i o n c a n be pl o t t e d as Ve agai ns t p o we r ( s ee Fi g. 5).
Suc h a pl o t gi ves t he t o t a l ma c h i n e p o we r c o n s u mp t i o n at t ri but abl e t o t he n o z z l e
pr oduc t , dri ve f r i c t i on a nd wi ndage . Th e v a l ue o f t he l at t er t e r ms c a n be de t e r mi ne d by
1 0 8 R. E. Broci ner and E. C. Vol l ans
r unni ng t he centri fuge empty. The results are used t o c a l c ul a t e / s Ks a n d / s i n
equat i on (17) t o give:
P = r z [0"25Vppp+O'44Ve+4.95 1 0 - 5] . (17a)
'0
x
tu~
%
5-
2--
X
X
o O~Xx
g~
x ~ A
X
X
~ ~ o
x &
X XO
X
x
A
r l i I t I t I l I i [ t
0 0 102 104 1.06 1 0 8 I 10 1.12
e ,
FIG. 4. Rel ati on between the maxi mum clear effluent vol ume rate (I re) and feed slurry
specific gravity (P0. x , One pass, d = 1.15 ram; O, one pass, d = 1"3 nma; A, one pass,
d = 1"45 ram.
0
x
To~
%
I O
3i - o o
2 -
- - o o
12 13 14 15 16 17" 18 19
P ( k w)
Fl a. 5. Rel ati on between effluent vol ume rate (Ve) and machi ne power consumpti on
(P) for a fixed machi ne speed and nozzl e size.
Thickening kaolinite slurries in the nozzle discharge centrifuge 109
LI MI TATI ONS TO THE USE OF THE EQUATI ONS
To predict the performance of different machines, geometric similarity is assumed. If R
changes in a geometrically similar machine the height of the bowl will also change.
These changes will alter the separation of the discs unless their thickness is varied. If
the thickness of the discs remains constant then the number of discs which can be fitted
will be slightly larger than that predicted from a direct scale up. A correction factor can
then be applied to the equation to give:
[- Nz R2-]
/ - - l'18 (lOb)
V~= 14N1 ~ m2R2 2"79x10-8-1"86x10 - 7pr
PS A
[ N2 R2"] 2 j - N 1 ~.a L 1 P= / 'R211.88215176 + 'R14.95
(17b)
If a mineral suspension with different settling characteristics is to be processed then
these must be redetermined. The numerical values of K 2 and K 3 in equation (13b) only
apply to the S.P.S. grade china clay flocculated by pH control.
A NUMERI CAL EXAMPLE OF THE USE OF EQUATI ONS
(10A), (13A) AND (17A)
Given a thickening duty of concentrating a flocculated aqueous suspension of S.P.S.
china clay from a specific gravity of 1.05 (7-5 % wt/wt concentration) to a specific
gravity of 1.15 (21% wt/wt concentration) using a multi disc nozzle discharge centri-
fuge with the following parameters: (i) speed = 633 rad s-i ; (ii) radius = 0.2375 ram;
(iii) number of discs = 80 (the same as the test machine), the following must be
calculated: (i) the throughput rate (as dry clay); (ii) the feed, product and effluent
volume rates; (iii) the number ond size of nozzles required; (iv) the power consumption
of the machine.
Substituting values into equation (13a):
[ Ve = 95165 2.79x 10- 8- 1. 86x 10 .7 1.05J
Ve = 1"81 x 10-am3s -1
A volume balance gives:
vs= re+v,
and using the value of V~ just determined:
Vy = 1.81 10-3+ Vp. (19)
110
At st eady mass flow:
r ear r angi ng:
R. E. Brociner and E. C. Vollans
Vf(pf - - 1) = Vp(p~- 1)
Vi= V. pp-1
p f - - 1
subst i t ut i ng f or V I f r om (18) and val ues f or pp and Pl gives:
1. 81x 1 0 - a + Vp = 3Vp
Vp = 0- 91x 10 - 3 m3s - 1
and f r om (18):
V I = 2. 72 10- 3 m3s - 1 .
The mass t hr oughput can be obt ai ned f r om tip, p~ and equat i on (9):
M = V p ( p p - 1) 1.6 x 103
M = 0.91 x 0 . 1 5 x 1-6
M = 0-22 kg s - 1 .
The nozzl e size is obt ai ned by subst i t ut i ng t he val ue of M j ust derived i nt o equat i on
(10a) so t hat :
0.22 = 1.18 x 103 150 2
so t hat f or twelve nozzl es:
d z = 6-9 x 10 - 7
d = 8 . 3 x l 0 - * m.
The power cons umpt i on is obt ai ned by subst i t ut i ng t he val ue f ound above f or Vp
and Ve t oget her wi t h t he val ue of pp and ~o2R 2 i nt o equat i on (17a):
P = 2.26 x 10" [0.25 x 0-91 x 1 0 - 3 x 1.15 x 0.044 1.81 x 10- 3 x 4.95 x 10-5]
P = 8.83 k w.
CONCL US I ONS
Thr ee semi -empi ri cal equat i ons have been devel oped descri bi ng t he per f or mance of a
multi-disc, nozzl e di scharge centrifuge, t hi ckeni ng fl occul at ed mi ner al slurry.
The val ues of t he const ant s in these equat i ons have been obt ai ned f or an Al fa-
Laval QX210 cent ri fuge and f or S.P.S. grade Cor ni sh chi na clay. The val ue of one
const ant in t he power consumpt i on equat i on has been eval uat ed t heoret i cal l y and
f ound t o agree wi t h t he experi ment al l y det ermi ned value. The equat i ons can be used
f or t he design of cent ri fugal t hi ckeni ng plants.
Thickening kaolinite slurries in the nozzle discharge centrifuge 111
A P P E N D I X
List of Symbols
A = a r e a o f f i l t er ( m z)
M = ma s s t h r o u g h p u t ( d r y s ol i ds ) o f c e n t r i f u g e ( k g s - 1)
N --- n u m b e r o f di s c s f i t t e d t o c e n t r i f u g e
P --- p o w e r c o n s u mp t i o n o f c e n t r i f u g e ( kw)
R = r a d i u s o f c e n t r i f u g e ( m)
V = c u mu l a t i v e f i l t r a t e v o l u me ( m 3)
V' = v o l u me o f c e n t r i f u g e b o wl ( m 3)
V I = v o l u me f e e d r a t e t o c e n t r i f u g e ( m 3 s - 1 )
V e = v o l u me e f f l ue nt r a t e f r o m c e n t r i f u g e ( m 3 s - 1 )
Vp --- v o l u me n o z z l e p r o d u c t r a t e f r o m c e n t r i f u g e ( m 3 s - 1 )
e - - f r a c t i o n a l s ol i ds c o n c e n t r a t i o n
d = n o z z l e d i a me t e r ( m)
l = t h i c k n e s s o f f i l t e r c a k e ( I n)
n = n u m b e r o f n o z z l e s f i t t e d
p - - p r e s s u r e ( N m - 2 )
Ap - - p r e s s u r e d i f f e r e n c e a c r o s s f i l t e r c a k e ( N m - 2 )
r --- s peci f i c r e s i s t a n c e o f f i l t e r c a k e ( N m - z )
s = s e t t l i ng r a t e o f f l o c c u l a t e d mi n e r a l s u s p e n s i o n ( m s - 1 )
s c --- s e t t l i n g r a t e o f f l o c c u l a t e d mi n e r a l s u s p e n s i o n i n t h e c e n t r i f u g e ( m s - 1)
9 / -= v i s c o c i t y ( N s m - 2)
p - - s peci f i c g r a v i t y
pf - - s peci f i c g r a v i t y o f f e e d t o c e n t r i f u g e
pp --- s peci f i c g r a v i t y o f n o z z l e p r o d u c t f r o m c e n t r i f u g e
o~ = a n g u l a r v e l o c i t y o f c e n t r i f u g e ( r a d s - 1)
[
~ = r a t i o o f c e n t r i f u g a l t o g r a v i t y a c c e l e r a t i o n a t R
g A
The constants and their dimensions
K 1 = M L - 3
K2 ] = L Z T - 1
K3 J
/s ___ M L - a
Ks
K a = M T - 1
k l / = L T - 1
k2
A C K N O W L E D G M E N T
T h i s p a p e r i s p r i n t e d b y k i n d p e r mi s s i o n o f t h e d i r e c t o r s o f E n g l i s h Cl a y s L o v e r i n g
P o c h i n & Co . Lt d .
112 R. E. Brociner and E. C. Vollans
R E F E R E NC E S
AMBLER C. M. (1952) Chem. Eng. Proc. 48, 150.
COE I-I.S. t~ CLEVENGER G. H. (1970) Trans. Am. Inst. Min. Engrs. 55, 356.
COULSON J. M. RICHARDSON ~.F. (1955) ChemicalEngineering, Vol. 2, pp. 459 and 514. McGr aw- Hi l l
Book Company Inc., New Yor k and London.
GWILLIAM R. D. (1971) Filtr. Separ. 8, No. 2, 181.
Mt~RKES J. (1966) Filtr. Separ. 3, No. 2, 112.