Application of closely spaced inclined channels in gravity separation

A density based separation was investigated in this study utilizing a system of parallel inclined channels above a fluidized bed. Closely spaced inclined channels were found to promote a remarkably powerful separation of the particles on the basis of density, suppressing the effects of particle size. The paper describes an investigation based on an industrial feed less than 0.50 mm, consisting of coal and mineral matter. The feed ash, covering the size range 0.038 to 0.50 mm was 61%, the product ash 13% and the reject ash 83%. There was only a slight variation in the separation density over the particle size range 0.1 to 0.3 mm, consistent with the theory presented in this paper. While this application in the area of coal beneficiation falls outside the immediate sphere of the oil sands industry, the work clearly demonstrates the potential of the approach in gravity separation of fine particles. Hence the work should be of interest to the oil sands industry.