Hydrocyclone: Equipment Tab

Variable Definitions, Ranges and Default Values

The following table shows the meaning of the variables appearing in this tab, as well as their default values and their generally acceptable range. Note that due to the manner by which the variables are used by the sizing and costing equations, the range of acceptable values may be further reduced.

Variable	Default Value	Range

○ Ignore Geometry? Check this box to ignore all geometric variables (including the body diameter).	Yes	Yes/No
◙ Rated Throughput The volumetric flow rate of the slurry that is fed into the equipment.	0.0 m³/h	Positive
○ Max Throughput The maximum volumetric throughput at which a unit of this type is available for purchase in the market.	7200 m³/h	Positive
◙ Body Diameter The diameter of the main cylindrical body of the cyclone vessel.	0.0 m	Positive
○ Max Body Diameter The maximum body diameter at which a unit of this type is available for purchase in the market.	2 m	Positive
○ Max Pressure Drop The desired upper limit for the pressure drop in the cyclone.	3.0 bar	Positive

Symbol Key: ○ User-specified value (always input); ● Calculated value (always output); ◙ Sometimes input, sometimes output

Design/Sizing Options

If the “Ignore Geometry” option is checked, the hydrocyclone geometry is not considered at all, and the hydrocyclone can only be sized based on the volumetric throughput.

If the “Ignore Geometry” option is not checked, the Geometry tab is displayed. Through this tab, the user may specify additional design parameters as ratios to the body diameter (e.g., inlet diameter to body diameter ratio, etc.). In that case, the hydrocyclone can be sized based either on the volumetric throughput or on the body diameter. In more detail:

● If sizing is based on throughput, the user must also specify the hydrocyclone’s body diameter.

● If sizing is based on body diameter, the model that relates the body diameter and volumetric throughput can be based either on inlet velocity or on dimensionless analysis. If it is based on dimensionless analysis, then the user must also specify the maximum pressure drop.

Sizing Based On Throughput: Design Mode

In design mode, the user specifies the max throughput, and the program calculates the number of units and the rated throughput. Calculations are based on the total operating throughput requirement of the Hydrocycloning operation carried out in this equipment resource. If the calculated total operating throughput exceeds the specified maximum equipment throughput, then the program assumes multiple number of identical units that are operated in parallel, each having a throughput equal to the ratio of the total operating throughput to the total number of units. Also, if the geometry is not ignored, the program will calculate additional design parameters (e.g., inlet diameter, overflow diameter, underflow diameter, cyclone length, etc.) based on the specified body diameter.

Sizing Based On Throughput: Rating Mode

In rating mode, the rated throughput and the number of units are set by the user. Also, if the geometry is not ignored, the body diameter is specified.

Sizing Based On Body Diameter & Inlet Velocity: Design Mode

In design mode, the user specifies the max body diameter and additional design parameters as ratios to the body diameter, and the program calculates the maximum equipment throughput, the number of units, the body diameter, and the additional design parameters. These calculations are based on the total operating throughput requirement of the Hydrocycloning operation carried out in this equipment resource, and on the inlet velocity of the feed slurry that is specified through the operation’s data dialog. First, the maximum equipment throughput is calculated based on the specified maximum body diameter, inlet diameter to body diameter ratio, and inlet velocity (which is specified through the operation’s data dialog). If the total operating throughput exceeds the maximum equipment throughput, then the program assumes multiple number of identical units that are operated in parallel, each having a throughput equal to the ratio of the total operating throughput to the total number of units.

Sizing Based On Body Diameter & Inlet Velocity: Rating Mode

In rating mode, the user specifies the body diameter and number of units, and the program calculates the inlet velocity. In addition, the user must specify the rated throughput in order to calculate the equipment purchase cost, if this is not set by user.

Sizing Based On Body Diameter & Dim. Analysis: Design Mode

In design mode, the user specifies the max body diameter, the max pressure drop, and additional design parameters as ratios to the body diameter, The program calculates the number of units, the body diameter, and the additional design parameters. Calculations are based on the total operating throughput requirement of the Hydrocycloning operation carried out in this equipment resource, and on additional data specified through the operation’s data dialog, such as the liquid viscosity, the reduced 50% cut size of the particles, and the particle concentration in the underflow. The program uses a dimensionless analysis model to estimate the values of body diameter, pressure drop and underflow diameter to body diameter ratio based on the equipment throughput in an iterative manner. If the calculated body diameter exceeds the specified maximum body diameter, or if the calculated pressure drop exceeds the specified maximum pressure drop, the program increases the number of units by one, calculates the equipment throughput by dividing the total operating throughput by the number of units, and repeats the calculations. If the calculated body diameter and pressure drop are lower than the respective max body diameter and max pressure drop, and the calculated body diameter is not too low (below 1 cm), then the program assumes multiple number of identical units equal to the calculated number of units that are operated in parallel, each having a throughput equal to the ratio of the total operating throughput to the total number of units, and a body diameter equal to the one calculated by the previous iterative procedure.

Sizing Based On Body Diameter & Dim. Analysis: Rating Mode

In rating mode, the body diameter, the ratio of underflow diameter to body diameter, and the number of units are set by the user. Based on these, the program calculates the pressure drop and the particle concentration in underflow. In addition, the user must specify the rated throughput in order to calculate the equipment purchase cost, if this is not set by user.

Costing

The purchase cost of the equipment is based on the rated volumetric throughput. By default it is calculated by the program’s built-in model for a cyclone with a minimum volumetric throughput of 0.472 m³/s.

For more information on this equipment, see Hydrocyclone.

For information on other variables and options shown on this dialog, see Equipment Data Dialog: Equipment tab.