Classification studies of lead-zinc ore fines using water-injection cyclone

Classification studies to recover liberated particles of lead and zinc minerals from a ground lead-zinc ore were carried out using a 100-mm water-injection cyclone. The effects of variables on the performance of water-injection cyclone are discussed. The results indicated that the injection water rate has a complex interaction with the other variables like spigot opening, feed inlet pressure, and vortex finder opening. A set of empirical equations for slurry throughput, corrected cyclone cut size, minimum distribution point, and reduced efficiency numbers was developed for predicting the performance of water-injection cyclone. Finally, the results obtained in water-injection cyclone are compared with the data obtained on a similar diameter (100 mm) hydrocyclone.