New understanding of a hydrocyclone flow field and separation mechanism from computational fluid dynamics

J. C. Cullivan, Richard A Williams*, T. Dyakowski, C. R. Cross

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

143 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The flow field of a 2 in. hydrocyclone is shown to be significantly asymmetric without precession, through both computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and experimental observation. Hence the application of full three-dimensional modelling is demonstrated to be essential. Further, CFD predicts that the axial pressure is not below atmospheric prior to development of the air core and that such development is not pressure driven. In fact, initial insight into a cause of instability of the air-core is identified from the CFD and supported through experimental observation. The predictions use the second-order differential-stress turbulence model which has previously been identified to represent a minimum model. Lastly, the inclusion of full three-dimensional modelling and high-order turbulence modelling leads to a new understanding of particle-separation classification within the hydrocyclone, including a significant stochastic component.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)651-660
Number of pages10
JournalMinerals Engineering
Volume17
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2004

Keywords

  • Classification
  • Computational fluid dynamics
  • Hydrocyclone
  • Thickening

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Earth and Planetary Sciences
  • Geochemistry and Petrology
  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology

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