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Hydrocyclones are important and economically viable systems for the wet-mechanical separation and classifying processes of ores and minerals. AKA-VORTEX are applied across the industry in various areas:

  • Sorting
  • Desliming
  • Solids recovery
  • Classification

Principle of Operation

In principle, the hydrocyclone is a solid bowl centrifuge of “slim” design.

lt can be compared to a high-speed tubular centrifuge but also with a long-tube decanter.

In the case of the hydrocyclone, however, the body is stationary. A rotation is initiated by the flow arising from the tangential f eed under pump pressure. The fluid is subjected to centrifugal forces, that lead to the c reation of a primary vortex, which is directed downwards, and an internal secondary vortex directed upwards. This leads to a segregation effect of the particles present in the fluid, due to a radially outward sedimentation.

Design Features and Advantages

  • Simple in operation
  • Optimum separation characteristic at varying operating conditions
  • Modular system through the use of simple connectors and adaptors (feed part, overflow and underflow nozzle)
  • Easy adaption to changing operation parameters
  • Fast and trouble-free changing of wear parts
  • Low weight of single parts
  • Long life time as per appropriate selection of material for each application: highly wear-resistant polyurethane, oxide- or SiC-ceramic, NiHard, titanium, diverse steels
  • Can be lined with high wear-resistant, chemical- and corrosion-resistant materials

Applications

  • Ores and Minerals
  • Chemical intermediates
  • Alumina
  • Sands