The Influence of Plastic Properties of a Suspension on the Separation Index of a Cylindrical-Conical Hydrocyclone

Based on the developed mathematical model of separation of a nonlinear viscoplastic suspension (with Hershel – Bulkley rheology) in a cylindrical-conical hydrocyclone, the influence of plastic properties of the suspension on the separation index is determined corresponding to different values of the separation factor and varying geometry of the working space of hydrocyclone. It is shown that an increase in the plastic number and maximum shear stress, together with high values of the separation factor, increase the separation index of the hydrocyclone. Optimal geometric parameters of the hydrocyclone working space are recommended.