MATHEMATICAL-MODEL OF THE HYDROCYCLONE BASED ON PHYSICS OF FLUID-FLOW

A mathematical model of the hydrocyclone, based on the physics of fluid flow, has been developed. The model equations are solved in a computer code that takes as input the hydrocyclone dimensions and feed slurry characteristics. The output of the computer code is the velocity profiles of the fluid and the separation efficiency curve. To validate the model, an LDV was used to measure the velocity profiles inside a 75-mm hydrocyclone. Pure water and glycerol-water mixture were used as the working media to simulate the increase of slurry viscosity in the presence of solid particles. The predicted velocity profiles agree well with the experimental measurements. Dilute limestone slurry was also classified with the same hydrocyclone, and predicted the separation efficiency curve shows good agreement with experimental observation.