Experimental and numerical study on separation of solid-liquid slurries

Abstract

The separation of solid-liquid slurries, as a critical stage of a novel zero-liquid discharge (ZDL) eutectic-freeze desalination method, is the focus of this thesis. Firstly, various technologies for separation of solid-liquid slurries are examined and the most suitable methods are identified, namely, hydrocyclone separator and hydraulic wash column. Experimental and numerical studies were performed for each separation method and results and discussions were provided. The experimental study of the cyclone separator using various water-based slurries showed that pure water could be recovered from the slurry when the solid particles had a sufficiently greater density than the water. For solid particles lighter than water, however, pure water could not be recovered and both outlet streams contained different amounts of solid particles. The numerical results from the hydraulic wash column model predicted an optimum inlet flow velocity for the column and the experiments were performed successfully for a batchwise separation process. Recommendations were made for enabling continuous separation process using the wash column.