Zigzag configurations and air classifier performance

Journal Article · Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1984 · J. Energy Eng.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9402(1984)110:1(36)· OSTI ID:6762059

Peirce, J J; Wittenberg, N

The fundamental aspects of zigzag air classifier configurations are studied in terms of the design and operation of a waste-to-energy production facility. The development of a method of performance evaluation defined by operating range is examined. Historically, air classification has been used in industry and agriculture in mineral extraction, limestone sizing, and seed and grain cleaning. However, the adaption of air classifiers to resource recovery and waste-to-energy production facilities presents new problems due to the complex and variable nature of the wastes. A series of configurations providing a continuous range of zigzag classifier shape components are tested. Each configuration is evaluated to determine its efficiency of separation, and sensitivity to operating air speeds. Results indicate that the configuration of a zigzag classifier does not influence its peak efficiency of separation. However, findings point to distinct limits on operating parameters which lead to peak efficiencies for the different configurations. These operating range values represent the sensitivity of the air classifier to changes in the air flow. A major finding concerns the effect of configuration on the particle size distribution observed in the material exiting the classifier: smaller particles appear to be influenced by configuration changes and larger particles do not. A new method for classifier performance evaluation is developed and applied.

• Research Organization: Dept. of Civil and Environmental Eng., Duke Univ., Durham, NC
• OSTI ID: 6762059
• Journal Information: J. Energy Eng.; (United States), Vol. 110:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
PARTICLE SIZE CLASSIFIERS
CONFIGURATION
PERFORMANCE TESTING
RESOURCE RECOVERY FACILITIES
SOLID WASTES
SORTING
AERODYNAMICS
AIR FLOW
EFFICIENCY
FLOW RATE
PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS
ENERGY FACILITIES
EQUIPMENT
FLUID FLOW
FLUID MECHANICS
GAS FLOW
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
MECHANICS
TESTING
WASTE PROCESSING PLANTS
WASTES
420900* - Engineering- Waste Processing Plants & Equipment- (-1989)