The energy costs are reportedly much lower than those of a large centrifuge and SWECO says that the hydrocyclones can also lower the capital, operating, and maintenance costs of a solids-separation system.
The systems, which are used in fine particle separation for wet processing, can remove solid particles in the 4 to 100+ micron range from various slurries. They are supplied in either an open-manifold or a packed-vessel configuration. Manifolds (radial or linear orientation) use 2, 4, 5, or 10 inch diameter cyclones while packed vessels contain either 1 or 2 inch diameter cyclones. Both configurations can process feed rates from 10 to 3,000 gallons per minute, depending on the size and number of hydrocyclones installed in the system.
The hydrocyclone system is shipped assembled and operation of the system requires a consistent feed at a steady pressure. The only moving parts are the feed pump and the slurry itself.
SWECO has also developed a hydrocyclone system integrated with a SWECO centrifuge, rectangular separator, or round separator for more demanding applications. The hydrocyclone system will concentrate the solids, reducing the volume to be handled by the centrifuge or screener. A smaller centrifuge or screener can then be selected.