Effects of local bed layer characteristics on separation of low rank oil shale in a dry cascade beneficiation bed

• Published in: Fuel (Guildford) 2024-11, Vol.375, p.132609, Article 132609
• Main Authors: Yu, Xiaodong, Luo, Zhenfu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Autogenous medium; Dry separation; Local bed layer; Low-grade oil shale; Particle migration
• ISSN: 0016-2361
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2024.132609

[Display omitted] •The fluidization formation area of autogenous medium was determined.•First innovative research on local bed separation characteristics.•The action stage of particle cascade separation process was determined.•The stress characteristics and migration rules of local particles are studied. Oil shale is considered a highly significant substitute energy source for the 21st century due to its abundant resources and feasibility for development and utilization. This paper utilizes a dry cascade beneficiation bed to upgrade 25–0 mm oil shale, focusing on the spatial distribution characteristics of local bed layer density and differential density particle spatial distribution rules. The study identifies the formation area of autogenous medium fluidization and systematically analyzes the force characteristics and spatial migration laws of particles in local bed layers. Factors influencing the mixing and separation of oil shale particles are investigated, and stages of the separation process are determined. Experimental results indicate that in area I, the density distribution range of autogenous medium bed layers is 2.21–2.25 g/cm3, representing the formation area of autogenous medium fluidization, predominantly with low-density oil shale particles at ρ = 1.95 g/cm3, ranging from 2.28 % to 4.37 % across particle size grades. Area II predominantly contains intermediate density particles at ρ = 2.20 g/cm3, with upper and lower layer contents of 10.9–11.6 % and 4.7–5.7 %, respectively; the upper bed layer is dominated by 13–25 mm particles, while the lower bed layer by 0–6 mm and 6–13 mm particles. Area III features high-density particles at ρ = 2.40 g/cm3, with upper and lower layer contents of 6.13–6.40 % and 1.86–2.11 %, respectively, showing particle size distribution consistent with area II. When Γ = 13.60–16.28, area I serves as a domain for low-density material separation, with peak forces of 6.95–7.0 mN; area II as a domain for separation of medium to high-density particles, with peak forces of 4.83–4.87 mN; and area III as a domain for high-density material transport, with peak forces of 2.01–2.03 mN. Particle acceleration along the Z-axis relative to the X-axis increases by 0.688 m/s2, 3.791 m/s2, and 4.670 m/s2 in areas I, II, and III, respectively, and relative to the Y-axis by 0.554 m/s2, 3.11 m/s2, and 3.396 m/s2. When U=2.36 m/s and Γ = 17.73–22.04, significant differences in distribution of same-density particles between upper and lower