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Virginia Tech

Elutriation Technology in Heavy Mineral Separations

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Hindered-bed separators have been used in several different mineral processing fields for many years. Recent improvements in designs have led to the development of the CrossFlow separator. This new design employs a tangential feed system that has shown promise in several applications. This paper investigates the use of this relatively new technology to upgrade heavy mineral concentrates using Florida type ores. The intended use of this separatory device in this particular application is the removal of gangue quartz from other valuable heavy minerals such as ilmenite, leucoxene, rutile, zircon, and staurolite. The results of two different pilot-scale in-plant testing investigations are discussed. In general, quartz rejections in excess of 80% were achieved while maintaining TiO2 and heavy mineral recoveries above 98% and 99%, respectively. In addition to field test work, two separate unit models have been developed. The first model is an empirical investigation into understanding unit operation and functionality. The second model is a statistical prediction of unit operation based on specific field test work. These models can be used to effectively scale-up a CrossFlow unit for full-scale installation at any Florida heavy mineral sands operation. Emphasis is placed on unit capacity and other operational parameters such as elutriation flowrate and bed level.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Mining and Minerals Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Mining and Minerals Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2001

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Eisenmann, Matthew Donnel
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Luttrell, Gerald H.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Yoon, Roe-Hoan
  • Adel, Gregory T.

Subjects

dc:subject × 4

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-11152001-101926
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/35707

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Eisenmann, Matthew Donnel. Elutriation Technology in Heavy Mineral Separations. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/35707