Classification of fine size Ni powders using liquid sedimentation classifier with different internal structures

Abstract

Continuous precision classification of Ni powders was executed by the liquid media sedimentation method in the cases of rectangular height block and triangular height block. All experimental results were compared with calculated results, and the flow was simulated with FIDAP to investigate the discrepancy between calculated and experimental results in both classifiers. The classifier with the triangular height block is more suitable than that with the rectangular height block from the viewpoint of continuous operation, even though the classification with the rectangular height block was better fit to calculated results than that with the triangular height block. In addition, the discrepancy degree between calculated and experimental mean powder sizes increased as the Ni powder flowed out further from the inlet. The shape of the Ni powder hardly affected the classification results.