Screen
From SysCAD Documentation
Navigation: Main Page -> Models -> Size Distribution Models
Contents |
General Description
The screen may be defined as a simple splitter or as a full screening model. The user may also set the number of screens modelled by the unit. this allows the user to emulate a screen bank with a single unit.
The user may select Screen or Split mode:
- If the Split mode is chosen, the solids in the screen feed need not have a size distribution, as the model will separate the solids and liquids based on a user defined split.
- If the Screen mode is selected then the main requirement for using this option is that the feed must contain solids with size distribution information. Please see Size Distribution (PSD) and Size Configuration for more information on including a size distribution in the project.
- The model will calculate the split of solids between the top-size, mid-size (optional) and under-size flows based on the cut point (either calculated or defined) and the size distribution of the feed stream.
- The unit may simulate either a single or double deck screen.
- If streams are connected to the top and mid size products, the screen will automatically become a double deck screen. The user must then configure each deck of the screen separately.
- The user may specify different screening methods on each deck, i.e. the top deck may have a user-defined partition curve and the lower deck may use the Karra method to calculate the solids split.
- The user must define the amount of feed liquid reporting to the over size product on each deck. The balance of the liquid will report to the under size.
There are a number of screening methods available to define the solids split:
- The Karra method (Note that this method is only valid for cut apertures > 1mm),
- A partition curve is used to calculate the screen products,
- Whiten method, and
- Whiten Beta Method.
Diagram
The diagram shows the default drawing of the Screen, with all of the streams that are available for operation of the unit. The physical location of the streams connecting to the Screen is unimportant. The user may connect the streams to any position on the unit.
Inputs and Outputs
|
Label |
Input / Output |
No. of Connections |
Description | |
|
|
|
Min |
Max. |
|
|
Feed |
In |
1 |
5 |
The slurry feed to the Screen |
|
Wash Water |
In |
0 |
5 |
Wash water to the Screen |
|
Oversize |
Out |
0 |
1 |
The over size from the unit |
|
Midsize |
Out |
0 |
1 |
The mid size from the Screen - only if a double deck screen is required. |
|
Undersize |
Out |
1 |
1 |
The under size from the unit |
Model Theory
The model will simulate a Screen using one of the user defined methods. All of the models calculate the solids separation based on a size distribution. The liquids separation is defined by the user as the amount of moisture reporting to the over size. The balance of the feed liquid will flow through the screen.
The d50 is defined as the particle size that has a 50% probability of reporting to either the Screen over or under size product. The majority of the particles finer than this size will report to the under size, while the majority of those coarser will report to the over size.
1. Karra Method
This method is based on a model proposed by V.K Karra1. The solids split is calculated using the d50 of the screen. This may either be defined by the user, d50_Method, or calculated by the model using the physical screen dimensions and feed size distribution.
Note: The Karra method is only valid for screen cut apertures greater than 1mm.
With the d50_Method the user defines the cut point of the Screen, the d50. The model then calculates the solids split directly, as shown in equation (3).
With the ScreenArea option the user defines:
- The Screen area
- The cut aperture (> 1mm - the model will not allow the user to specify a smaller aperture), and
- Whether it is a wet screening application.
The model will then calculate the d50 based on these user-defined parameters and on the size distribution of the feed. This d50 is then used to calculate the solids split, as shown in equation (3).
The model calculates the d50 of the Screen from the following equations1
(1)
- where the Theoretical Undersize is the mass of solids with sizes less than hT
The Cut aperture hT, in mm, is given by:
(2)
h - Aperture of square mesh, mm
d - Wire diameter, mm
- Screen angle of inclination to the horizontal
The modifying factors in the denominator of equation (1) are obtained as follows:
|
Factor A. |
hT < 50.8mm |
A = 12.1286 * (hT)0.3162 - 10.2991 |
|
hT >= 50.8mm |
A = 0.3388 * hT + 14.4122 | |
|
Factor B. |
Where Q - % Oversize in feed to screen deck. | |
|
Q =< 87 |
B = 1.6 - 0.012 * Q | |
|
Q > 87 |
B = 4.275 + 0.0425 * Q | |
|
Factor C |
Where R - % half size feed to the screen deck. | |
|
R =< 30 |
C = 0.012 * R + 0.7 | |
|
30 < R < 55 |
C = 0.1528 (R)0.564 | |
|
55 =< R < 80 |
C = 0.0061 (R)1.37 | |
|
R >= 80 |
C = 0.05 * R - 1.5 | |
|
Factor D. |
Where S is deck location, top deck S = 1, second deck S = 2 | |
|
|
D = 1.1 - 0.1 * S | |
|
Factor E. |
Wet Screening Factor, T = 1.26 * hT | |
|
T < 1 |
E = 1.0 | |
|
1 =< T =< 2 |
E = T | |
|
2 < T < 4 |
E = 1.5 + 0.25T | |
|
4 =< T =< 6 |
E = 2.5 | |
|
6 < T =< 10 |
E = 3.25 - 0.125T | |
|
10 < T < 12 |
E = 4.5 - 0.25T | |
|
12 =< T =< 16 |
E = 2.1 - 0.05T | |
|
16 < T < 24 |
E = 1.5 - 0.125T | |
|
24 =< T =< 32 |
E = 1.35 - 0.00625T | |
|
T > 32 |
E = 1.15 | |
|
Factor F |
F = U/1602, where U = Bulk Density (kg/m2 | |
|
Factor G Near-Mesh factor |
G = 0.844 * (1.0 - Xn/100)3.453, where Xn = % near size feed to the screen deck, % in the size interval 1.25hT to 0.75hT | |
Split Efficiency
The model then uses the d50, either defined as in (1) or calculated in (2), to calculate the recovery to the over size in each size range (yi) using the following equations:
(3)
- where
Fines Bypass
The mass of solid material reporting to the over size product may be influenced by the amount of liquid reporting to the over size. The fine material often bypasses to the over size with the liquid, or by adhering to the coarse material. The model allows the user to define the method of compensating for fines bypass in one of three ways:
- None
- In this case the amount of material reporting to the oversize products is defined by equation (3).
- Fines in Moisture
- This assumes that some of the solid material will always follow the liquid split. The corrected recovery to over size is calculated using equation (4):
- (4)
- where yi = Recovery to the over size, calculated in equation (3)
- Rf = fraction of feed liquid reporting to the over size product
- Minimum Fraction reports to Over size
- This method allows the user to set a minimum fraction of the feed material that will report to the over size product. For example, if the user sets the minimum fraction at 5%, then the model will calculate the recovery to over size using equation (3). If this figure is under 5%, the model will increase the value to 5%, otherwise it will use the calculated value.
Assumptions
- The equations are based on screening crushed stone. While the characteristics of metallic ores are very similar, this may not be true for sand and gravel applications.
- The Cut Aperture, hT is greater than 1mm.
Reference:
1. V.K.Karra., "Development of a model for predicting the screening performance of a vibrating screen", CIM Bulletin, April 1979.
2. User Defined Partition Curve
In the case of the partition curve, the model will distribute the feed material based on the user defined partition curve. The user defines the screen partition curve as the fraction of the feed to the screen reporting to the over size product. The screen model will ensure that the products follow this curve.
3. Whiten Method
This method is based on a model proposed by Whiten. The solids split is calculated using the user specified d50 of the screen with correction factors for efficiency and water bypass.
The Reduced Efficiency curve to the oversize is given in equation (1):
(1)
- where
- d50 = cut-size or separation size, the size which divides equally between oversize and undersize.
= efficiency parameter. High values of
(>4) indicate very good separations.
Fines Bypass
The mass of solid material reporting to the over size product may be influenced by the amount of liquid reporting to the over size. The fine material often bypasses to the over size with the liquid, or by adhering to the coarse material.
The corrected recovery to over size is calculated using equation (2):
(2)
where:
- Eoci = corrected recovery to the over size
- Eoai = actual recovery to the over size (calculated in equation (1) above)
- Rf = Proportion of feed liquid reporting to the over size product
The Fraction of feed liquor reporting to the under size, C, can be found using equation (3):
(3) C = 1 - Rf
References:
1. Whiten W.J. "Lecture notes for winter school on mineral processing." Dept. Min & Eng, University of Queensland, Aug 1966 (Lynch and Bull)</span>
4. WhitenBeta Method
This is the modified method by Whiten to accommodate some abnormal "bumps" in the fine size end of the Efficiency curve.
The Reduced Efficiency curve to the oversize is then as follows:
(4)
- where:
- Beta (β) - is the term introduced to control the initial rise in the curve at fine sizes. If this term is set to 0 then the equation is the same form as (5) in the previous heading.
- BetaStar (β*) is derived iteratively from β so that Eoai = (1/2)C when d_i = d50
Data Sections
The default access window consists of 4 or more sections,
- The first section, which has the same name Screen, allows the user to set the number of screens to emulate and it also contains some general information relating to the unit.
- The second section, TopDeck, displays the relevant input and results fields for the top deck of the screen.
- The third section, PartCrv, displays the partition curve data for the top deck of the screen.
- If the user connects a stream to the Midsize connection, then access windows for the Bottom Deck and its PartCrv will be added at this position.
- The section, Info, fully described in Info Tab Page Section.
- The section, Links, only visible in SysCAD 9.2, contains a summary table for all the input and output streams. See Links Table.
- The last section is the Audit. See Model Examples for enthalpy calculation Examples.
Class: Screen - The first tab page in the access window will have this name.
Partition Curve Section/s
Each screen deck has a section showing the partition curve. If the PartitionCrv option is chosen for screening the user must input a partition curve here. Otherwise, the model will calculate the partition curve/s for the screen deck and display them on this page.
The user may either configure the partition curve as fraction Passing, or fraction Retained.
|
Tag / Symbol |
Input or Calc |
Description |
|
The black rectangle at the top of the page is for display purposes only. The user can configure the 'Information' data to display the discharge partition curve. The two white boxes below the window allow the user to configure the lower and upper display limits of the curve. | ||
|
Log > Lin |
Button |
This button toggles the x display between log and ln. |
|
Auto > Fixed Scale |
Button |
This button toggles the display between auto scaling and user defined fixed scale. |
|
Stepped > Smooth |
Button |
Toggles the display between discrete points (Stepped) and a smooth curve. |
|
Mode |
Passing |
The partition curve is displayed as the fraction passing each size interval. |
|
Retained |
The partition curve is displayed as the fraction retained in each size interval. | |
|
Size Intervals |
Button |
> Ascending - The numbers are displayed with the large sizes at the top. |
|
> Descending - The numbers are displayed with the smaller sizes at the top. | ||
|
If the user has chosen to define the screening application using an overall partition curve or individual partition curves, then they can enter the size Fractions for the Discharge Partition Curve. The product from the Screen will have the same size distribution as the one defined here. If the model is using any of the other screening methods to calculate the products, then this page will display partition curves for each size distribution defined for the project. | ||
Adding this Model to a Project
Insert into Configuration file
Sort either by DLL or Group.
|
|
DLL: |
Separ2.dll
|
→ |
Units/Links |
→ |
Size Separation: Screen (Single/Double Deck) |
|
OR |
Group: |
Size Distribution |
→ |
Units/Links |
→ |
Size Separation: Screen (Single/Double Deck) |
See Project Configuration for more information on adding models to the configuration file.
Insert into Project
|
|
Insert Unit |
→ |
Size Separation |
→ |
Screen (Single/Double Deck) |
See Insert Unit for general information on inserting units.
Hints and Comments
If the user selects the Fines_in_Moist method of splitting the fine solids fraction, then the following situation may arise: If the user specifies the over size moisture such that all of the feed liquid reports to the over size, then all of the solids will also report to the over size.

