Maximised throughput and uptime, with minimised costs, are the goals of all processing plants. Weir Minerals Africa says “extensive research and smart engineering have resulted in the development of a hydrocyclone that can achieve up to 50% higher throughput capacity in comparison with competitor cyclones in the 26-in diameter range due to its larger inlet and vortex finder configuration.
The Cavex® 700CVX hydrocyclone, with a smaller more space efficient body, has a higher throughput than the Cavex 650CVX hydrocyclone making it attractive for new installations as well as retrofitting into existing cyclone clusters. This allows mines to increase capacity with minimal capital expenditure while maintaining a competitive advantage.
Sheldon Gabriel, product manager cyclones of Weir Minerals Africa and Middle East, explains that the inclusion of a unique laminar spiral inlet in the Cavex 700CVX hydrocyclone is the secret behind the success of this new product. “As with all products we introduce to the market, the design is based on feedback from the market and intensive field testing. The result is a hydrocyclone that produces the desired results due to its large inlet and vortex finder configuration.
“It is important to note that the development of the Cavex 700CVX hydrocyclone was not based merely on a cone modification, but rather on an entirely new feed geometry that substantially increases hydraulic throughput capacity while minimising localised wear on the feed chamber and vortex finder,” he says.
Conventional hydrocyclone geometry causes migration of unclassified solids into the overflow, which can result in valuable mineral losses. The laminar spiral inlet geometry design of the 700CVX hydrocyclone provides a natural flow path into the unit. Due to the fact that the shape has no sharp edges or corners, it readily allows the feed stream to blend smoothly and efficiently with the rotating slurry within the chamber.
“When turbulence is reduced, sorting efficiency is naturally enhanced and fewer misplaced fines bypass to the underflow, with less coarse tramp material bypassing to the overflow. This is achieved by maximising the air core diameter created within the rotating mass of fluid in the hydrocyclone and results in reductions in overgrinding and circulating loads,” says Gabriel.
He points out that in conventional hydrocyclones, slurry bursts into the cylinder with no flow control. The resultant turbulence is responsible for premature and localised wear of the liner walls causing inefficient classification and decreased wear life. By minimising flow resistance through the feed chamber, Cavex hydrocyclones are able to process substantially higher slurry volumes. The increased productivity effectively reduces the quantity of hydrocyclones required and reduces the energy required for the job.
“We envisage a large market potential for the Cavex 700CVX hydrocyclone and, as with all our products, they will be backed up by our extensive service and aftermarket support infrastructure. Not only is this intended to provide increased customer productivity and decreased total cost of ownership, associated with decreased downtime and maintenance, but the Cavex 700CVX hydrocyclone can be retrofitted onto existing cyclone clusters,” Gabriel concludes.