An investigation of wide-angle dense-medium cycloning for the recovery of metal and aggregate from fine slag

An investigation was carried out to evaluate the feasibility of using wide-angle dense-medium cycloning to process a fine (-600 μm) stainless-steel slag. The slag was characterized by size and density using a combination of sieving and pycnometer measurements. Separation testing was carried out using a laboratory dense-medium cyclone to concentrate the stainless-steel fraction and produce a low-metal aggregate material. The effects of cyclone geometry (cone angle, underflow diameter, overflow diameter, cylinder length, and vortex finder length) and medium density on cyclone performance were evaluated. A Plackett-Burman statistical design was used to determine the significant variables as related to recovery and purity of the metal and aggregate products. Based on these results, full-factorial designs were performed at two different medium densities. Regression models relating the significant variables to product recovery and purity were developed for both the metal and aggregate fractions.