LAUSR

Abstract Minimum fluidization velocity of binary mixtures is one of the most important parameters when applying an Air Dense Medium Fluidized Bed for dry coal beneficiation. Measurements of minimum fluidization velocities were carried out for binary mixtures of magnetite and sand/gangue/coal particles. The experimental results showed that the minimum fluidization velocity of binary mixtures remained almost unchanged when the volume fraction of magnetite particles was above 50%, whereas it varied significantly when the volume fraction of magnetite particles was below 50%. A general correlation based on the Cheung equation has been developed for predicting the minimum fluidization velocity of binary mixtures in terms of particle size ratio, volumetric composition and incipient fluidization velocity of each component. The extended Cheung equation is in reasonable agreement with almost all the available experimental data in the present work and the literature, and it can be used to estimate accurately the minimum fluidization velocity of binary mixtures of medium particles for the ADMFB and other similar fluidized bed operations.