The effect of cone ratio on the separation efficiency of small diameter hydrocyclones

In this study, the effect of cone ratio (ratio of the vortex finder diameter to the apex diameter, Do/Du) on by-pass was investigated for small diameter hydrocyclones. Experimental studies were carried out in a closed circuit laboratory test rig for a wide range of operational parameters, such as diameter of cyclone, vortex finder and apex, inlet pressure and solids content of feed pulp. In the tests, 25.4 mm and 50.8 mm diameter cyclones were used with different vortex and apex units. The results showed that the cone ratio is an important design parameter for cyclones.

Research highlights
► By-pass increases with increasing inlet pressure, depending on the cone ratio.
► Water recovery is not depends on the inlet pressure.
► By-pass is not equal to the water recovery.
► Cone ratio is an important design parameter for small diameter cyclones.