Simulation Aided Investigations on Non-Coal Applications of Heavy Medium Cyclone

Abstract

The aim of the thesis is to investigate the possibility of using heavy medium cyclone separation method for the concentration of problematic ores, of which the enrichment is difficult using other gravity methods like jigs and shaking tables. Samples of iron, manganese, zinc and chromite ores were selected and after determining physical and mineralogical properties of the samples, all of them were prepared in appropriate size fractions for sink-float tests. Combination of sodium polytungstate (SPT) and tungsten carbide powder (TC) were used to prepare a non-toxic heavy suspension with up to 3.5 gr cm3 density.Using sink-float test results and existing empirical models for high density HMC plants, simulations were performed. The results of the simulations showed that:For the -9.5+0.5mm iron ore, a concentrate having 55% Fe was obtained with 80% Fe recovery. Separation density was 3.1 gr cm3.For the -16+0.5mm manganese ore, a concentrate having 38% Mn was obtained with 92% Mn recovery. Separation density was 2.9 gr/cm3 .