Cyclones

Cyclones

The Gromatex Hydro Cyclones range consists of the C26, C20 and C15. The C26 is currently the largest of the Gromatex hydro cyclone range. It has a 660mm feed chamber and a 6” inlet. The medium sized C20 has a 500mm feed chamber and a 6” inlet while the smallest cyclone in the Gromatex hydro cyclone range is the C15 which has a 380mm feed chamber and a 4” inlet.

All three cyclones are lined with the highest quality abrasive resistive rubber which is designed to work in the toughest applications. The rubber has a shore hardness of 40IRDH and an abrasion resistance of 108. The rubber is hot vulcanised to the steel body at pressure to ensure a top quality seamless liner.

Further details on all three cyclones can be found in our Cyclones brochure.

Operating Principles

A hydro-cyclone is a device used for the classification of sub sieve materials typically below 200 microns. The material (in slurry form) is fed into the feed chamber at pressure, using a centrifugal pump. The centrifugal pump is paired with a cyclone to ensure optimal feed rate for the cyclone to perform efficiently.

FLUID FLOW & PARTICLE MOTION

PRESSURE WITHIN THE CYCLONE

Due to the conical shape of the cyclone, as the material makes its way down the cone, the pressure increase creating a vortex within the centre of the cyclone capable of lifting particles caught within it, carrying them up through the overflow of the cyclone

HOW THE SEPARATION OCCURS

The cyclone separates the solid particles due to their relative settling rate. The separation of the solid particles occurs due to centrifugal force which is created within the body of the cyclone. As the material is fed in tangentially, the solid particles are accelerated against the walls of the cyclone . The force within the cyclone acts greatest on the largest particles and are forced against the wall of the cyclone. The smaller finer particles find themselves drawn towards the centre of the cyclone. The finer particles in the centre of the cyclone are caught in the vortex and carried up through the overflow, allowing the coarser particles to continue falling and eventually leaving through the underflow.

Pump Requirements

Gromatex cyclones can be paired with any brand of centrifugal slurry pump, however care must be taken to ensure that the pump feed rates and operation pressures are optimal with the cyclones requirements to ensure optimal operating conditions and maximum efficiency. Gromatex recommend using Slurry Pro’s centrifugal pump range. We can specify and supply pumps according to your specific requirements. As a rule the tables below indicate typical pairings.

SINGLE PUMP / SINGLE CYCLONE SETUP

Cyclone Type Cyclone Size Pump Size Max Output
C15 380 4-3 Up to 100 TPH
C20 500 6-4 Up to 150 TPH
C26 660 8-6 Up to 200 TPH

SINGLE PUMP / DOUBLE CYCLONE SETUP

Cyclone Type Cyclone Size Cyclone Qty Pump Size Max Output
C15 380 2 6-4 Up to 100 TPH
C20 500 2 8-6 Up to 150 TPH
C26 660 2 10-8 Up to 200 TPH

When dealing with cyclo-pacs, i.e. more than two cyclones arranged in a cluster it is advisable to contact Gromatex and our engineers will take on board each specific application and can advise on the set up required.

Cyclone Performance and Tuning

OPERATING VARIABLES

During the operation of the cyclone there are certain variables that will change and can affect the performance of the cyclone. The two main variables to be concerned about are feed solids concentration and feed pressure.

CYCLONE VARIABLES

Certain parts within the assembly of the cyclone can be altered to change or tune the properties of the cyclone. Cut points can be managed by changing the inlet diameter, the vortex finder and most easily the spigot assembly. Gromatex carry a fully range of spigots and vortex finder which are available upon request.

Cyclone Type Cyclone Size (mm) Typical Cut Point
C15 380 63 microns
C20 500 63 microns
C26 660 75 microns