Separation of Bulk Materials in a Cross-Flow Classifier With a Louvered Grid

Experimental studies were conducted, demonstrating the feasibility of using a transverse-flow classifier with a louvered grating for the efficient size classification of bulk materials with particle sizes ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 mm. The experiments were performed using quartz sands from the Tashlinsky and Sukhrinsky quarries. The design of the louvered grating involved CFD modeling to calculate its structural elements. The settling chamber of the classifier was analyzed by solving a system of differential particle motion equations using a predictor-corrector method. The computational results align well with experimental data, confirming the applicability of these methods for industrial-scale equipment design. A key feature of the louvered classifier is its cascade separation principle, achieved through multiple re-cleaning of the coarse product as it descends along the louvered grating. This ensures high separation efficiency, making the classifier suitable for industrial processing of various bulk materials. The air consumption required for pneumatic classification is comparable to that used in screen aspiration systems. The cut size can be adjusted over a wide range by varying the airflow rate. Additionally, the louvered grating classifier exhibits low aerodynamic resistance, resulting in reduced specific energy consumption by the fan.