Cyclones/Hydro-Cyclones

Cyclones can be used to process minerals and slurries such as:

• De-watering-(efficiently to about 50% solids)
• De-sliming - (clays from sand)
• Washing - Lignite from sand
• De-gritting – (sands from clays)

The hydro cyclone uses centrifugal force to separate solids from liquid or to classify coarser or greater mass particles from finer or lesser mass solids. This force is generated by converting the delivery head of slurry (By pump or gravity) at the inlet volute into a spiralling passage through the cyclone.

This centrifugal action effectively imparts a force to the solid particles many hundreds of times greater than gravity.

The force encourages solids to migrate outwards to the shell of the cylinder and once the conical section is reached, downward to the apex discharge.

The majority of the liquid and very fine or lighter particles are drawn to the middle where the centrifugal effect is less and are forced upwards to the overflow via the vortex finder. Thus the cyclone can be used not only to de-water a slurry but also to classify or wash solids.

The MEP range of cyclones is comprehensive with sizes from 200mm to 750mm. Most major cyclone components are manufactured using mild steel shells, with a few items from cast iron or aluminium. Linings include:

• Hot Vulcanised rubber liners
• Polyurethane
• Ceramic One Piece Liners
• Ceramic Tiling

Ancillary items include radial and In Line manifolds together with chutes and collectors