Effects of particle dispersion and circulation systems on classification performance

To classify fine powders with particles smaller than 1 μm in diameter, air classifier design must take three factors into consideration: dispersion of feed powders, air flow uniformity in the classification zone, and recovery of fine particles adhering to the coarse fraction. The effects on the classification performance of a centrifugal air classifier using a dispersion nozzle for particle dispersion and a circulation mechanism using channel air jets for the recovery of fine particles are discussed.

By using a dispersion nozzle, the classification sharpness index was improved below 0.8 (D_p/D_p50) and the fine fraction yield was improved by 64% without changing size distribution. The circulation mechanism using channel air improved classification performance by 58% of the classification sharpness index and 65% of the fine fraction yield, although the particle size distribution of the fine fraction became 0.1 μm coarser than that without channel air.