PREDICTION OF AIR-CORE SIZE AND SHAPE IN A HYDROCYCLONE

A new method to predict the size of the air-core within a hydrocyclone is presented based on calculating the internal pressure distribution by solving a set of conservation equations. The effect of slurry prope rties such as bulk viscosity and surface tension and flow conditions a re taken into consideration. Predictions of air-core diameters are giv en as a function of various hydrocyclone geometries and operational co nditions. The results show that feed flow rate has a dominant effect o n the air-core diameter. The results predict a slightly conically shap ed air-core with the cone-angle depending on the the slurry viscosity. Increasing the slurry viscosity causes a decrease in the air-core dia meter.