Sectional view: tangential inlet, vortex finder, air core, cone and apex. The diagram explains the flow; it does not constitute a CFD simulation.
Granulometry of the three flows
Instantaneous distribution curve towards the underflow
d50c: corrected model cutoff. Actual sharing includes short-circuiting of fines entrained with water. Roping degrades the curve.
Model and references
The total flow rate is derived from the pressure, diameter and number of active cyclones. The mass fraction of solids sets the ore and water flow rates. The pressure increases gradually when starting; geometry is supposed to change instantly to compare scenarios, not to describe an intervention in progress.
Apparent partition curve, with entrainment of fines proportional to the water partition. Roping thresholds, viscosity, diameter coefficients and openings are uncalibrated assumptions. An average mineral density is used: mineral by mineral separation, wear, sedimentation in the tank and pump fluctuations are not calculated. No grain is crushed in the hydrocyclone.
A product transmitted from the Grinding page retains its particle size distribution and dry mass. Its dilution is redefined here; it is not a coupled simulation of the two circuits nor the transfer of their historical water.
Metso · Architecture and operation · McLanahan · Apex, vortex finder and roping