Experimental study on improving the separation performance of liquid-solid fluidized bed using flotation reagent and newly designed aeration unit

ABSTRACTIn the study, a pilot-scale liquid-solid fluidized bed (LSFB) apparatus was modified by adding an aeration unit, which enabled us to test the effect of air addition on LSFB separation performance for fine coal (0.25 ~ 1.00 mm). Upward water flow velocity, aeration volume and flotation reagent (Kerosene and 2-Caprylic alcohol) dosage varied throughout the experiment. The optimum results from the three experimental conditions (without aeration, with aeration only, with aeration and reagent) were compared by their respective probable error (Ep) values. The Ep values of the three experimental conditions were 0.109, 0.08 and 0.07, respectively. The results indicated that the addition of air obviously enhanced LSFB performance, while the addition of flotation reagent further improved the separation result.