A model for performance prediction of hydrocyclones

The equilibrium orbit theory and the residence time theory predict that the product between the Stokes number and the Euler number (Stk(50)Eu) should be constant for a family of geometrically similar hydrocyclones. It has bee n already shown that Stk(50)Eu is, in reality, a function of feed concentra tion and water flow ratio. For different families, this product is also a f unction of the cyclone geometrical proportions. In this work, data obtained with seven hydrocyclones was used to generate a model based on dimensionle ss groups capable to predict performance of hydrocyclones. Unlike other mod els that can be found in the literature, where the parameters have to be ad justed for each data set, the proposed model was able to reproduce data fro m the classical works of Rietema, Bradley and Kelsall. The assumption of in variance of the reduced grade efficiency curve adopted in this work seems t o be a good approximation for performance prediction of hydrocyclones. The fish-hook effect could not be found in any of the 160 experiments, probably due to the apparatus used to determine size distributions, which measure a dynamically equivalent diameter known as Stokes diameter. (C) 2001 Elsevie r Science B.V. All rights reserved.