Taguchi based Grey relational analysis for optimization of design parameters of a 100 mm water-only cyclone

ABSTRACT

Performance of the 100 mm water-only cyclone and its design parameters in cleaning minus 3.0 mm Indian coal was successfully evaluated via Taguchi based Grey-Relational-Analysis (GRA) using L₁₆ (Single-level) orthogonal array experimental layout. The Taguchi method integrated with GRA was used as a performance index in analyzing multiple responses i.e., clean coal yield (%yield), ash content (%ash), and recovery of non-ash (%RNA). The parameters chosen were vortex finder diameter (VFD) and spigot diameter (SPD). The study revealed the subsequent optimum parameter levels: VFD of 50 mm (level 4) and SPD of 22 mm (level 1). The goodness of fit confirmed that using the GRG regression model shows a decent level of the prediction within the range of variables selected (correlation coefficient of 0.84). Experimental results obtained through this approach also showed that the parameter vortex finder diameter has the foremost vital impact on the multiple performance characteristics. Analytical results from two confirmation experiments conducted at the optimal parameter combinations further confirmed that the above-mentioned performance characteristics can be effectively improved through this approach.

KEYWORDS:

• Water-only cyclone
• coal fines
• Taguchi method
• Grey relational analysis
• optimization

Acknowledgments

Authors wish to express their gratitude to the Department of Fuel and Mineral Engineering, IIT (ISM-Dhanbad) for providing the necessary facilities in conducting experiments.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.