Processing of Fine Grained Iron Ore and Coal Samples Using Multi-Gravity Separator

Abstract

One of the major problems of gravity based methods has been their limitation in treating particles in relatively fine size range. However, application of centrifugal forces in some of the recent gravity separators (e.g. Kelsey Jig, Knelson Concentrator, Falcon Concentrator, Multi-gravity Separator etc.) have been developed that can treat particles of much lower sizes. Development of Multi-Gravity Separator (MGS) by M/s Richard Mozley Limited, U.K. is considered to be one of the potential equipment for the treatment of fines and ultra-fines in the range of 500-1 micron. This paper deals with the results of studies carried out on recovery of mineral values from typical Indian iron ore slimes and coal fine samples using this equipment. In case of iron ore slimes, assaying 7.49% Al2O3 with 68% particles passing below 44 micron, it was possible to reduce alumina ~2% with a yield of 42%. Similarly, the clean coal products of coking and non-coking coal fines samples resulted in ash contents of 16.43% and 31.55% with yields of 47.3 % and 83.5% respectively.