The hydrocyclone is a relatively effective fine particle classification equipment in the current mineral processing equipment. In daily production, the hydrocyclone will more or less have some equipment failures. If it cannot be discovered and solved in time, it is likely to cause the hydrocyclone to stop. So, what are the common faults of hydrocyclones in daily operation? How should we solve these failures? This article starts with five common faults and analyzes their causes and countermeasures.

1. Large fluctuations in the feed pressure

During the production process, feed pressure will affect the processing capacity and grading particle size of the hydrocyclone. Generally, the feed pressure of the hydrocyclone should be kept stable as required, and no large fluctuations should occur, otherwise it will damage the performance of the equipment and affect its classification effect. The large fluctuation of the feed pressure is usually caused by the lack of the pump feeder due to the drop in the liquid level of the pump tank or the air traction, or the blockage of debris in the pump. If the pressure drop of the hydrocyclone occurs after a long period of operation, it is mainly caused by pump wear.

Solution:

1. If the feed pressure fluctuation is caused by the drop of the pump tank liquid level, it can be adjusted by increasing the liquid level, or closing one or two cyclones, or reducing the pump speed;

2. If the feed pressure fluctuation is caused by the pump blockage or wear, the pump needs to be repaired.

2, the hydrocyclone is blocked

Judging whether the hydrocyclone is blocked is mainly determined by observing whether the overflow and underflow discharge of the hydrocyclone in operation are unobstructed. When there are more coarse particles in the overflow, the flow of the overflow and the underflow is reduced, or the underflow is cut off, and the sediment is discharged in a column shape, it indicates that the hydrocyclone has been blocked. In addition, if the hydrocyclone vibrates severely for a long time, it also indicates that the hydrocyclone is blocked.

Solution:

1. If the overflow and underflow flow are both reduced, it may be that the feed port of the hydrocyclone is blocked. At this time, close the feed valve blocking the hydrocyclone, remove it, and clear the blockage;

2. If the underflow flow is reduced or cut off, the underflow port is blocked. At this time, the flange can be removed to remove the debris in the underflow port.

3. In order to prevent clogging, facilities for preventing coarse materials and debris (such as chip removal screen) can be installed in the feed tank of the hydrocyclone group. At the same time, the feed tank should be emptied in time when stopping to avoid recurrence Blockage caused by precipitation and high concentration when driving.

3. Underflow concentration and discharge abnormalities

During the operation process, hydrocyclone operators need to frequently observe the underflow discharge status of the hydrocyclone, and regularly check the underflow concentration and fineness. If the underflow concentration fluctuates or “underflow Clip fine & rdquo; should be adjusted in time. Under normal working conditions, the underflow discharge of the hydrocyclone should be "umbrella shape". If the underflow concentration is too large, the underflow will be "columnar" or intermittently "lumps".

Solution:

1. The high underflow concentration may be caused by the feed slurry concentration or the underflow opening is too small. You can add an appropriate amount of water to the feed first. If the underflow concentration is still large, you need to replace a larger underflow opening.

2. If the underflow is discharged in an “umbrella shape”, but the underflow concentration is less than the production required concentration, it may be caused by the low feed concentration. At this time, the feed concentration should be increased.

3. “The underflow clamp is thin” may be caused by the underflow orifice wear, the underflow orifice is too large, the overflow pipe diameter is too small, the pressure is too high or too low, you need to adjust the pressure first, and then check the underflow Whether the port is worn or replace a smaller size underflow port, gradually debug to normal production state.

4. Abnormal overflow concentration and fineness

During the operation, the hydrocyclone operator also needs to regularly check the concentration and fineness of the overflow of the cyclone. Increased overflow concentration or "overflow roughness" is usually caused by increased ore concentration and underflow port clogging.

Solution:

1. It is found that the "overflow running rough" can be detected first if the underflow orifice is blocked, and then the concentration of the ore feed is detected, and then adjusted according to the specific situation. If the underflow port is blocked, open the underflow port to clear the blockage.

2. If the overflow concentration is small and the fineness is fine, the pressure can be lowered or the feed concentration can be adjusted at this time, and the requirements can also be met by replacing the small grit nozzle. If the overflow concentration is large and the fineness is coarse, the requirements can be met by increasing the pressure and adjusting the concentration of the ore, or by replacing the large grit nozzle.

5. The grit nozzle is spray-like or rope-like

Under normal circumstances, the sedimentation of the hydrocyclone is discharged in an umbrella shape, and the sedimentation angle is between 10°-20°, and the concentration reaches about 75%, which is the ideal working state of the hydrocyclone. If the grit nozzle is spray-like, the spreading angle of the grit is too large, indicating that the grit nozzle is too large. If the grit nozzle is in a rope shape, it may be because the concentration of the ore feed is too high, the size of the grit nozzle is too small, the grit nozzle is partially blocked or the slurry density is too low.

Solution:

1. When the grit nozzle is spray-like, it can be adjusted by replacing the small grit nozzle.

2. When the grit nozzle is in the shape of a rope, the size of the grit nozzle can be appropriately increased, and the cyclone operation can be stopped to clear the blockage.

The above are the reasons and countermeasures for common failures of hydrocyclones. For equipment to operate stably and efficiently, in addition to selecting equipment types that meet the beneficiation process, daily maintenance and maintenance are also particularly important. It is recommended that all mine owners consult with professional hydrocyclone manufacturers when purchasing, and comprehensively consider the beneficiation process and beneficiation equipment to further improve the efficiency and economic benefits of the beneficiation plant.