Influence of physical properties and operating conditions on particle segregation on gravity table

Segregation of seeds on gravity table due to vibration and air fluidization was studied. In one set of experiments, the effects of frequency and ampli tude of vibration, and air speed on segregation of wheat seeds were investi gated A segregation index defined as the ratio of standard deviation before and after segregation was calculated. It was found that airflow was critic al in achieving a maximum segregation. In another set of experiments, the e ffect of particle shape mass and dimension on segregation were analyzed usi ng four types of particles: soybeans, sage, stone pebbles, and redbeans. Th e test consisted of forming a layer of redbeans on a bed of a gravity table and placing a few grain kernels of soybeans, sage and stone pebbles on thi s bed. The small particles of sage and pebbles tended to sink into the laye r of vibrating redbeans, while airflow pushed these small particles to the top. The heavier particles of pebbles sank to the bottom of the layer under the action of airflow.