The influence of operating and design parameters of a hydrocyclone on the efficiency of fine fraction classification

Tetiana Oliіnyk Yevhen Bezsmertnyi
Received 05.08.2025, Revised 03.12.2025, Accepted 24.12.2025
Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the operation of the GTS-500 hydrocyclone battery, which is used in the third stage of classification at the enrichment plant of the mining and processing enterprise of the Kryvyi Rih iron ore basin, in order to assess its efficiency and optimise the particle separation process. The main focus is on analysing the effect of feed pressure, pulp density, discharge pipe diameter, and sand nozzle diameter on the nominal separation size, classification efficiency, and distribution of the -0.033 mm fraction between sand and discharge products. The study was carried out using actual production data and theoretical modelling of the classification process. The research methodology was based on calculating the mass balance, determining the classification efficiency using the Hancock parameter, and applying the Bradley theoretical model to evaluate the nominal separation size and construct a particle size distribution curve. It was established that the actual classification efficiency of the -0.033 mm fraction is 39.27%, and the results of theoretical modelling agree with industrial data with an absolute error of less than 2%, which confirms the correctness of the approach used for engineering calculations. It has been shown that an increase in pressure and feed density leads to an increase in the nominal separation size and a decrease in classification efficiency due to a change in the hydrodynamic operating mode of the hydrocyclone. At the same time, increasing the diameter of the discharge pipe helps to reduce the maximum particle size and increase the efficiency of the process, but is accompanied by an increase in the content of fine particles in the sand product. Changing the diameter of the sand nozzle significantly affects the distribution of fine particles and the selectivity of the classification process. Based on the results obtained, rational parameters for the operation of hydrocyclones are justified, which provide a compromise between classification efficiency and product quality and can be used to optimise the operating modes of hydrocyclone batteries at enrichment plants

Keywords:
nominal separation size; classification efficiency; pulp density; discharge pipe; sand nozzle

Retrieved from Vol. 59, No. 2, 2025

Pages 56–70

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Oliіnyk, T., & Bezsmertnyi, Ye. (2025). The influence of operating and design parameters of a hydrocyclone on the efficiency of fine fraction classification. Mining Journal of Kryvyi Rih National University, 59(2), 56-70. https://doi.org/10.31721/2306-5435-2025-2-56-70
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