Numerical simulation of flow field in enhanced gravity concentrator

Enhanced gravity concentrator have excellent separation accuracy for the fine mineral particles. However, its internal flow characteristics are still in unclear. Therefore, numerical simulation was conducted to study the flow characteristics of concentrator. Effect of centrifugal force and fluidization water pressure on the velocity component of fluid was studied. The simulation accuracy was verified by the theoretical calculation. The turbulence intensity in the radial direction was analyzed to reveal the gradient characteristics. Results show that the three-dimensional velocity has different order of magnitude. The increase of centrifugal force significantly improves the three-dimensional velocity of fluid. However, the fluidization water pressure has little influence on the tangential velocity and axial velocity, but it can effectively improve the radial velocity. High turbulent flow energy and high turbulence dissipation rate are presented in the near wall region, which allows the light particles reentering the separation region. Meanwhile, the fluid presents stable flow pattern in the fall wall region that is conducive to the stratification process. In addition, the increase of centrifugal force increases the turbulence in the near wall region; however, fluidization pressure has no effect.