Application of fractional factorial design for evaluating the separation performance of the screening machine

ABSTRACT

Implementing the planned execution of experiments will optimize the resources and time of a newly developed process or equipment. In the present work, the screening machine is newly developed equipment designed for the separation of coal. The present work was carried out to evaluate the performance of separation efficiency of the screening machine using generalized and forward selection fractional factorial experimental design. Further, the present work will also determine the significance of each operational variable, such as moisture content, angle, and frequency, for increasing separation efficiency. A cube plot was developed from the experimental design, which shows the highest and lowest condition of separation efficiency for each level of the operational variables. Further, a Pareto chart was developed to evaluate the significant operational variable for the screening machine. The results of the generalized method and forward selection method of fractional design show that the moisture content was the most significant operational variable, followed by angle and frequency. The results also show that the screen blinding of a screening machine plays an important role in reducing the separation efficiency of a screening machine.

KEYWORDS:

• Coal
• separation
• screening machine
• fractional factorial design
• design of experiments (DOE)

Acknowledgments

NITK, Surathkal, and JSW Steel, Ballari, have been in collaborative agreement during the course of this research work. A joint patent has been filled on the new type screening machine by NITK, Surathkal, and JSW Steel, Ballari.