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8.1.3

JKSimMet V6 Manual

Hydrocyclone Models (200, 201)

Hydrocyclone
Models (200 and
201)

8.1.3.1

This topic contains a description of the Hydrocyclone models 200 and 201.

Desciption
The model is based on the concept of a reduced efficiency curve, which in turn
is developed from the actual efficiency curve and the corrected efficiency curve
for the classifier treating a particular ore. The important concept is that the
reduced efficiency curve is a characteristic function of an ore and is
independent of the dimension or operating conditions of the cyclone. A
typical set of efficiency curves for a cyclone is shown in the first figure 298 of
the next section.
The model consists of a series of equations which are described below. At
least one cyclone test on a particular ore is required to provide data for the
calculation of constants in the equations.

8.1.3.2

Equations
The model consists of a series of equations, which are described below.
Pressure Throughput
Relationship

The pressure-throughput relationship can be expressed as:

Q = KQ2 Dc2 (P/

)0.5 (Do/Dc)0.68

(M200.1)

where
KQ2 = KQ1 (Di/Dc)0.45 ( )-0.1 (Lc/Dc)0.2

(M200.2)

The proportionality constant, KQ1 , is a function of the feed material and the
diameter of the cyclone. For cyclones of Krebs design, treating identical feed
solids, the dependence on cyclone diameter may be empirically represented by
the equation
KQ1 = KQ0 Dc-0.1

(M200.3)

where KQ0 depends on feed solids characteristics (eg. specific gravity) only.
Classification
Size
Relationship

For normal industrial operation, the classification size can be related to the
variables according to the equation
d50c/Dc = KD2 (Do/Dc)0.52 (Du/Dc)-0.47

0.93

(P/{

g Dc})-0.22

(M20
0.4)

where KD2 is related to the minor design variables Di, Lc and q by

KD2 = KD1 (Di/Dc)-0.5 (Lc/Dc)0.2 ( )0.15

(M200
.5)

and KD1 may be written as

KD1 = KD0 (Dc)-0.65

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(M200

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.6)
KD0 depends on feed solids characteristics only (such as size distribution and
specific gravity).
(Note that the classification sizes for specific minerals within the feed stream
can be estimated using the following formula:

where FeedSG is the mean feed solids density, d50c is the overall corrected d50 ,
MineralSG is the density of the specific mineral of interest, and d50c(m) is the
corrected d50 of the mineral of interest.)
Recovery to
Underflow
Relationships

Water recovery (Rf) and volume pulp recovery (Rv) to underflow are related to
the major variables by:
Rf = Kw2 (Do/Dc)-1.19 (Du/Dc)2.40 (P/{

g Dc})-0.53 ( )0.27

(M200.7)

g Dc})-0.31

(M200.8)

and
Rv= Kv2 (Do/Dc)-0.94 (Du/Dc)1.83 (P/{

Further, the effects of inlet diameter, cone angle and cylinder length have been
evaluated as
Kw2 = Kw1 (Di /Dc)-0.50 ( )-0.24 (Lc/Dc)0.22

(M200.9)

and
Kv2 = Kv1 (Di/Dc)-0.25 ( )-0.24 (Lc/Dc)0.22

(M200.10
)

Here Kw1 and Kv1 are constants also depending on feed solids characteristics.
The current data indicate that Kw1 and Kv1 are independent of cyclone
diameter for geometrically similar cyclones treating identical feed solids.
Small quantities of viscosity modifiers such as clay, can have a marked effect
on these variables.
Efficiency Curve
Relationship

The efficiency curve used in this model is given below:

Eo(d/d50c) =

(M200.
11)

C.(1+ . *.d/d50c) (exp( ) - 1)/(exp( . *d/d50c) + exp( ) - 2)

When

is 0, * is 1 the above equation reduces to

Eo(d/d50c) = C.(exp( ) - 1)/(exp( .d/d50c) + exp( ) - 2)

(M200.12)

The shape parameter determines the initial rise, while

determines the
slope at larger values of d (d d50c). Both and are normally constant for
given feed solids, while C and d50c vary with cyclone dimensions

and

operating conditions. The parameter * is determined, for given values of

and , by the condition that

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Eo.(1) = C/2

(M200.13)

* is calculated iteratively in the model.

The first two figures below show the effects of
efficiency curve.
Modified
Efficiency Curve

and

on the shape of the

An alternative to the standard efficiency curve is available with the

Nageswararao Fines hydrocyclone model.
With this model the user can specify the value of the reduced efficiency curve
(ie. fraction reporting to overflow) at 33% and 66% of the d50c size.
The curve is fixed (by definition) at the 100% point for zero size and at the
d50c. A cubic spline curve is used to describe the efficiency curve for sizes
below the d50c point. For sizes larger than the d50 , a log-normal distribution
curve is used. The log-normal curve is determined so that there is no
discontinuity in slope at the d50c point.
The third figure below shows how the modified efficiency curve works. The
user needs to specify (or model fit) the values of the curve at 33% and 66% of
the curve only.
The other parameters used by the model are used in the same way as the
standard Nageswararao model.
The Nageswararao-Fines model is useful for describing asymmetric efficiency
curves where a long 'tail' exists for either coarse or fine material.

Interactions

The interactions of variables within a cyclone are complex. Refer to Summary

Table 305 section for a summary of interaction dependencies.

Scaling

Facilities for scaling the operation of the hydrocyclone are built into the
model.

Figure M200.1 - Effect of Alpha on Reduced Efficiency Curve

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Figure M200.2 - Effect of Beta on Reduced Efficiency Curve

Figure M200.3 - Efficiency Curve for Nageswararao-Fines Model

8.1.3.3

Symbols
Symbols

Symbol

Meaning
reduced efficiency curve sharpness parameter
reduced efficiency curve hook parameter

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reduced efficiency curve calculated parameter

100 - Rf or recovery of water to overflow, %

Dc

cyclone diameter, m

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Di

diameter of circle with the same area as cyclone inlet, m

Do

diameter of circle with the same area as vortex finder, m

Du

diameter of circle with the same area as spigot, m

Eo (d)

percentage of feed material of size d reporting to overflow

gravitational acceleration

KD

constant in the classification size relationship

KQ

constant in the volume pulp recovery relationship

Kv

constant in the volume pulp recovery relationship

Kw

constant in the water recovery relationship

Lc

length of cylindrical section, m

feed pressure at inlet, kPa

cyclone throughput, m3/hr

Rf

recovery of water to underflow, %

Rv

volumetric recovery of feed pulp to underflow, %

mean size of particle, mm

d 50c

size of a particle in feed which has equal probability of going to

underflow or overflow, due to centrifugal action, mm

Cv

volumetric fraction of solids in feed slurry

Cv

Cv

density of feed pulp, tonnes/m3

cone full angle, degrees

8.1.3.4

Restrictions
Restrictions

As the feed becomes coarser, d50c tends to decrease even when all the other
variables are kept constant. The effect of size distribution of the feed
material becomes insignificant when the feed consists of mainly 53 mm
particles, and also when the proportion of 53 mm particles is less than
25% of the feed solids.
The analytical form used does not provide a perfect representation for the
reduced efficiency curve. As a result the model often tends to predict fewer
coarse particles in the overflow than occur in real operation, however, the
magnitude of the error is considered to be small.
Viscosity variations due to changes in pulp density are largely accounted
for by the model. Viscosity variations caused by variable quantities of
slimes affect the parameters in quite a systematic way.
As viscosity (or slimes fraction) increases, the cut size becomes coarser, the
water split to overflow is reduced, and the cyclone pressure drop becomes
larger. However, the reduced efficiency curve remains relatively constant
until the onset of roping.

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The model may be used to estimate operation during roping:

o the cut size will become 5 to 10 times larger (ie. multiply KD0 by 5 to 10
times
o the efficiency curve will become an inefficiency curve with an
typically of 0.1 - 0.2.

value

o water split and pressure drop are relatively unaffected although a small
drop in pressure is often claimed. This may result from a reduced
volume of solids to overflow.
The onset of cyclone roping is difficult to predict. In general 50% solids by
volume is a practical underflow limit. However, very coarse underflow may
achieve higher density and finer ones somewhat lower density as detailed
below.
JKSimMet will warn you that roping is likely if either of the density limits
(detailed below) are exceeded.
Cyclone Roping
Constraint

If the cyclone feed density is less than 35% solids by volume, the SPOC
constraint (Laguitton 1985) is claimed to predict onset of roping.
Vol % solids in U/F = Limiting Vol % solids (~56) + 0.2 (Vol % Solids in Feed 20)
The limiting % solids is defined as the onset of roping at a volumetric feed
density of 20%.
In tabular form:
Table M200.1 - Cyclone Roping Conditions
at sg 2.7
Feed
Density

Empirical
Constraint

Underflo
w Density

Feed
Density

at sg 4.0
Underflo
w Density

Feed
Density

Underflow
Density

% by Volume

% by Weight

% by Weight

53

12.4

75.3

17.4

81.8

10

54

23.1

76.0

30.8

82.4

15

55

32.3

76.7

41.4

83.0

20

56

40.3

77.5

50.0

83.6

25

57

47.4

78.2

57.1

84.1

30

58

53.6

78.8

63.1

84.7

35

59

59.2

79.5

68.3

85.2

Industrial experience demonstrates that a coarse underflow will remain in

spray discharge at a higher density than a fine underflow. This is intuitively
reasonable in terms of slurry viscosity but difficult to predict.
Plitt et al (1987) have developed an empirical relationship based on Lynch
(1965) data and others.

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