Natural Medium Cyclones

Natural medium cyclones are used to separate particles of different density in a very viscous medium (35 - 40 per cent solids).  The natural medium cyclone is mounted horizontally.

Cyclones can be used alone or in a system with natural medium barrels.  Larger plants may include banks of cyclones operating together.  Cyclone-only plants are suitable for the cleaning of small coals of less than 40 mm particle size.

Operation

In cyclones, the small particles are separated by centrifugal and vortex action (the cyclone itself does not move).  The water/particle mixture is pumped into the side of the cyclone tangentially (1) and swirls around creating a vortex in which the lighter particles are sucked to the middle (and out to a dewatering screen).  The heavier particles are thrown by centrifugal force to the wall of the cyclone and are discharged at the opposite end (3).