Enhancement of Hydrocyclone Classification Efficiency for Fine Particles by Introducing a Volute Chamber with a Pre-Sedimentation Function

• Published in: Chemical engineering & technology 2008-03, Vol.31 (3), p.474-478
• Main Authors: Liu, P.-K., Chu, L.-Y., Wang, J., Yu, Y.-F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Centrifugation, cyclones; Chemical engineering; Exact sciences and technology; Fluid mechanics; Hydrocyclones; Liquid-liquid and fluid-solid mechanical separations; Particle processing; Separation; Settling
• ISSN: 0930-7516; 1521-4125
• DOI: 10.1002/ceat.200700449

A new hydrocyclone was designed with a volute chamber positioned prior to the inlet. Since the volute chamber prior to the inlet has a pre‐sedimentation function due to the centrifugal sedimentation effect, coarse particles are concentrated on the outer side and fine particles are concentrated on the inner side as the particles reach the entrance of the hydrocyclone. Consequently, coarse particles in the hydrocyclone are easily separated into the underflow and fine particles are easily transferred into the overflow. As a result, the separation or classification performance of the hydrocyclone was improved effectively. Compared with the traditional type of hydrocyclone, this new type of hydrocyclone with a volute chamber before the inlet was shown to possess a much higher classification efficiency for fine particles. A new hydrocyclone is designed with a volute chamber positioned before the inlet. This has a pre‐sedimentation function due to the centrifugal sedimentation effect – coarse particles are easily separated into the underflow and fine particles into the overflow – resulting in improved separation or classification performance of the hydrocyclone.