Optimization for single- and double-electrode high-tension separators using surface methodology to recover titanium minerals from Red Sediments, Odisha, India

Abstract

This study deals with the optimization of operating parameters of single- and double-electrode high tension electrostatic separators (HTS) using response surface methodology (RSM). The parametric optimization takes into account feed rate, temperature and drum speed as major operating variables. The objective is to recover titanium-bearing minerals such as ilmenite and rutile from red sediment deposits of badlands in Odisha, India, by optimizing the operating parameters of single- and double-electrode HTS. We predict titanium-bearing minerals recovery as a function of feed rate, temperature and drum speed. The optimized response was validated against data derived from both HTS test works comprising (i) mineral grade, (ii) mineral recovery and (iii) process yield. The study describes the optimization procedure using RSM and MATLAB. RSM was used for optimizing the criteria for separation of titanium-bearing minerals by varying feed rate, temperature and drum speed. It was observed that factors like maximum yield %, grade % and recovery % for ilmenite using double-electrode HTS method were better than single-electrode HTS method. Thus, it can be concluded on the basis of overall performance from both experimental and predicted values, that the double-electrode HTS method is better than the single-electrode HTS method, particularly from the grade and recovery point of view.