Passive rate‐based separation in collisional flows

The passive separation of a binary mixture of spherical particles is accomplished using a laboratory scale quasi two-dimensional inclined board such that gravity alone drives the flow of the mixture through a static array of obstacles. Experimental results compare well with simulations both qualitatively and quantitatively. An increase in separation is observed for increasing board length, whereas a decrease in separation is observed as the solid fraction (area coverage) of particles increases. This work demonstrates the possibility of designing green technology for solid-solid separations by taking advantage of particle properties that aid naturally occurring segregation. A probability based model is suggested as a way to predict the viability of separation between particle types as a function of particle size and coefficient of restitution. It should be noted that size separation is achieved despite peg spacings that are larger than both particles in a mixture. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.