Three-Parameter Recovery Separation
Summary
Three-Parameter Recovery Separation is an empirical two-product separator with a component-specific recovery window. Each component has a maximum recovery and lower and upper particle-size limits.
DPSIM model key: DPSIM.Concentration.ThreeParameterRecoverySeparator
Category: Concentration
Subcategory: Separators
Display name: Three-Parameter Recovery Separation
Streams
| Port | Role |
|---|---|
| Feed | Combined solids and water entering the separator. |
| Concentrate | Product stream receiving material inside each component recovery window. |
| Tail | Complementary stream receiving unrecovered material and remaining water. |
Parameters
| Parameter | Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Water to concentrate stream (%) | 0-100 | Current interface label for the concentrate water-setting parameter. In the implemented calculation, a positive value is used as the target concentrate solids percentage. |
| Component maximum recover (%) | 0-100 | Recovery to concentrate for classes whose representative size lies inside the component recovery window. |
| Component minimum recover size (µm) | ≥ 0 | Exclusive lower size boundary of the recovery window. |
| Component maximum recover size (µm) | ≥ 0 | Exclusive upper size boundary of the recovery window. |
Model Calculation
DPSIM calculates a representative size di for each class from the project size mesh. For component c, the partition to concentrate is:
Rc,i = Rc,max when dc,min < di < dc,max
Rc,i = 0 otherwise.
The component-by-size masses are then:
mC,c,i = Rc,i mF,c,i
mT,c,i = (1 - Rc,i) mF,c,i
Output flowrates, size distributions and component grades are reconstructed from these matrices.
Water split
The water-setting calculation is the same as Component Recovery Separation. A positive value is interpreted as target concentrate solids fraction; concentrate water is limited by the water available in the feed, and tail receives the remainder.
Application and Limitations
Use this model when recovery is concentrated within a known particle-size interval, such as a simplified representation of a process with reduced performance in both ultrafine and coarse classes.
The recovery curve is rectangular, with abrupt transitions at the lower and upper limits. It is not a mechanistic prediction and does not represent gradual efficiency changes, liberation, residence time or equipment operating variables. The size window and recovery should be calibrated from testwork or survey data.
References
King, R. P. (2001). Modeling and Simulation of Mineral Processing Systems. Butterworth-Heinemann.
Wills, B. A., and Finch, J. A. (2016). Wills' Mineral Processing Technology, 8th ed. Butterworth-Heinemann.