The role of wave propagation in hydrocyclone operations II: Wave propagation in the air-water interface of a conical hydrocyclone

The air-core plays an important role in the operation of a conical hydrocyclone. In the apex, the air-core increases in diameter with the possibility of reaching a size close to the apex diameter. In this case, roping may be induced. There is a range of values for the apex to vortex ratio where roping is possible. Using some simple physical models, this work shows that perturbations propagating through the air-core interface are amplified in the direction of the apex and may be responsible for the fluctuations of the underflow that are characteristic of roping.