Effect of structural modification on hydrocyclone performance

The structure of hydrocyclone was designed with a series of modifications, and the comprehensive effects of the structural modifications on operation performance indices of hydrocyclones were investigated experimentally with orthogonal design method. Based on the conventional hydrocyclone, the struc tural modifications with central insertions named winged core, solid core a nd inner diffuser could increase all the reduced separation efficiency, sep aration sharpness, cut size, capacity and flow split, and decrease the ener gy loss coefficient. The structural modification of 20 degrees cone with sp iral has the same function. The parabola type of cone part could increase t he separation efficiency, separation sharpness, cut size and capacity, and decrease the energy loss coefficient and flow split. For increasing separat ion efficiency and reducing energy loss coefficient only, straight vortex f inder with siphon and straight underflow pipe with cone are efficient struc ture designs. From experimental results of this study, useful clues or guid ance could be obtained for the structure design of hydrocyclones with diffe rent target indices in different applications. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B. V. All rights reserved.