Abstract
Mini-hydrocyclones are separators widely investigated with a view to expanding their applications in operations that require efficient separation of fine particles. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of design and operating variables, including the vortex finder length and height of the cylindrical body, cone frustum angle, underflow diameter and feed pressure, on the separation efficiency of a modular hydrocyclone with a characteristic diameter of 30 mm especially developed for use in the petroleum industry. The particulate matter consisted of phosphate rock with a density of 3.15 g/cm3 and an average diameter of 4.5 μm, used at a concentration of 0.5 vol% in the preparation of the suspension. The results were analyzed statistically and correlations or empirical models were generated. The proposed empirical models offered a good description of the collected experimental data. A methodology for multi-objective optimization of these models was used and an optimal geometry was proposed. The optimal geometry showed a total separation efficiency of more than 89% and a flow ratio of less than 35%.
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