Simulation Algorithm for Water Elutriators: Model Calibration with Plant Data and Operational Simulations

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The manuscript: minerals-1600420 titled “Simulation Algorithm for Water Elutriators: Model Calibration With Plant Data and Operational Simulations”, presents an interesting research study. The manuscript is well written, with Figures being correctly displayed and very informative. Results from the mathematical modelling serve the papers aim to  develop a phenomenological model for the common operating variables of the classifier and the geometric characteristics of the apparatus, which is well discussed in the relevant section. Conclusions and Abstract are balanced, well written, and successfully display the major outlines of this paper. Therefore, I suggest that this paper should be published in its present form in the Journal of “Minerals”.

Author Response

see attached file.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

General Comment

The paper is well written and the convection-diffusion equation has been applied to model the system. The authors, however, need to modify the paper in terms of its length. The essence of the paper is the application of the convection-diffusion equation, whereas, the experimental work, industrial and lab work, has been explained in detail and covers major part of the paper, almost eight pages. That part should be reduce in order to keep the readers interest on the modelling of the device.

Moreover, Kennedy and Bretton (1966) used the convection diffusion equation for the first time to describe dispersion, segregation and transport behaviour of the solid particles in a liquid fluidized bed. Citing that paper would be very good to acknowledge their contribution.

• Kennedy, S.C., Bretton, R.H., (1966). Axial dispersion of spheres Fluidized with liquids. A.I.Ch.E. Journal 12, 24 – 30.

                

One of my paper is already citied in this research paper. I have seen the journal policies regarding referring a paper, however, I would recommend to cite another paper of mine also, as my work is very much related to this research work and is published in 2021. Furthermore, the authors have citied less number of recently published papers, so citing a newly published paper which is relevant to their work would be beneficial for them.  

• Naveed ul Hasan Syed, Naseer Ahmed Khan, Iftikhar Ahmad, (2021), “A computational study of a multi-solid–liquid fluidized bed incorporating inclined channels”. Chemical Industry and Chemical Engineering Quarterly, Vol. 27 (3), 223-230.

 

Lines	Comments
363 (pg 12)	Figure 9 Figure 9 is not explained in the section where it is shown. Please explain it. Moreover, the figure illustrate that difference in the results obtained from the industrial experimental work and simulations is significant. This figure needs to be explained.
452 and 455	Figures 13 and 14 Figures 13 and 14 need more explanation.
505 and 506	The conclusion made regarding the loss of heavy particles is confusing and quite debatable. Decreasing the water may influence overflow or underflow. It needs more explanation or I would suggest to remove it.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

see attached file.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

In this paper, the authors propose a simulation algorithm for water elutriators, based on model calibration with plant data and operational simulations. It is a theoretical subject with a lot of assumptions. Although, the study is well structured, I think that the authors should make several changes to the manuscript to improve its understanding. Therefore, I think that this paper needs a major revision before its publication.

 

Some comments I suggest you take into account are:

 

• A brief comment in the introduction should be included indicating the advantages that this paper would provide in an industrial and laboratory way.
• The yield in the Fe purification process should be detailed (is the hematite phase transformed into another?)
• Has an economic study of the purification process been carried out? If so, it should be commented.
• Line 153. The denomination u and f must be included in the text
• Which is the cause of the randomness of the results in figure 3?
• In figure 3, the "2" of SiO2 must be in subscript
• Line 170-171, the sentence is poorly expressed.
• It would be interesting to add the treatment and the procedure of operation to carry out the measurements (last paragraphs of section 2.3). In addition, the technical specifications have not been indicated in the text, nor the equipment used to carry out the measurements obtained for figure 4.
• Line 198, is it Fe or Fe2O3?
• The XRF technique is quantitative, but care must be taken to perform it. Have calibration standards been used to obtain the results, or have they been repeated several times?
• The results shown in table 1 should be better explained in the text.
• A small conclusion of the different assumptions should be included to improve their understanding.
• The error observed in Figure 15 should be included in the text, since the comparison shows similar profiles, but there are areas whose error is greater.
• I consider that the conclusions are poor. The authors should include more information.

Author Response

see attached file.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 4 Report

The subject of the paper is very suitable and well presented.  The fitting of dispersion coefficient based on experimental data is also a wonderful approach in the handling of the phenomenological rule of this type of complex fluid which is largely unknown and ill-defined. 

A system with relatively simple geometry and well-defined could be a more focused study in the future study.  

 

Minor editorial issues:

 

Table 3: pulp density refers to pulp consistency?

HC replacing Hc

The definitions of primary, secondary, and tertiary with respect to what specific targets?

Why for Quartz % SiO2 in Hc underflow, the simulation results are so different from the observations?

Any application of the terminal velocity for sedimentation?

 

Author Response

see attached file.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 3 Report

In this paper, the authors propose a simulation algorithm for water elutriators, based on model calibration with plant data and operational simulations The content of this article is appropriate due to the results shown. Also, the authors have responsed to all my questions. Therefore, I consider that the paper is suitable for publication in present form.