A segregation-dispersion model able to predict the coal and mineral separation achieved using a continuous steady state fluidized bed system incorporating inclined channels was developed. This system, referred to as a Reflux Classifier (RC), consists of a lamella settler and a fluidization section below. The feed suspension enters the unit, passing into the inclined channels, segregating onto the inclined surfaces, before sliding back towards the fluidization section. Lower density particles report to the overflow, and denser particles to the underflow. A significant breakthrough in the development of the RC was established in 2008 when closely spaced inclined channels were introduced (~6 mm), promoting a new laminar-shear mechanism. This arrangement led to the selective shear induced lift of low density particles, thus the separation performance increased significantly following 2008. This paper describes the first major step towards developing a segregation-dispersion model of the above mentioned system. As a first step, the effects of the laminar-shear mechanism in the inclined channels have been neglected, and therefore the results have been validated using the experimental work for widely spaced channels prior to 2008. A total of 35 species were used in the simulations, corresponding to 5 different sizes with 7 densities per size for a particle size range of -2.0+0.25 mm. Partition curves for particles of a given size have been determined, achieving excellent agreement with the published data in terms of D 50 and Ep values. Thus, the basic framework for incorporating the effects of shear induced lift is now in place.