Question
Describe the separation methods which are based on gravitation.

Answer

Separation method based on gravitation - The heavy particles of ores can be easily separated from the light particles of gangue by the gravitational
method. The processes to carry out this separation are as follows:
(i) Wilfley table method:
(a) In this method of separation, the Wilfley table is made by fixing narrow and thin wooden riffles on inclined surface.
(b) The table is kept vibrating continuously.
(c) Powdered ore obtained from lumps of the ore using ball mill is poured on the table and a stream of water is also released from the upper side.
(d) As a result, the lighter gangue particles are carried away along with the flowing water, while the heavier particles in which proportion of minerals is more and propation of gangue is less, are blocked by wooden riffles and get collected on the slits between them.
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(ii) Hydraulic separation method:
(a) The hydraulic separation method is based on the working of a mill.
(b) There is a tapering vessel similar to that used in a grinding mill.
(c) It opens in a tank-like container that is tapering on the lower side.
(d) The tank has an outlet for water on the upper side and a water inlet on the lower side.
(e) Finely ground ore is released in the tank.
(f) A forceful jet of water is introduced in the tank from the lower side.
(g) Gangue particles are lighter and therefore they flow out along with the water jet from the outlet on the upper side of the tank and get collected separately.
(h) At the same time the heavy particles of the ore are collected at the bottom from the lower side of the tank.
(i) In short, this method is based on the law of gravitation, wherein particles of the same size are separated by their weight with the help of water.

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