Effects of Flow Ratio and Concentration Ratio on the Separation Efficiency of 100-mm Hydrocyclone

Abstract

This study used a 100-mm hydrocyclone to separate soil from sugar cane juice in the sugar industry. The important studied parameters affecting the separation efficiency were underflow diameter of the hydrocyclone, feed flow rate and the percentage of soil by weight. It was found that when the underflow diameter of the hydrocyclone increased, the flow ratio increased. However, the flow ratio decreased when the feed flow rate increased. The amount of soil did not affect the flow ratio. At low feed flow rates, an increase in the feed flow rate resulted in a decrease in the separation efficiency until the critical flow rate had been reached. However, when the feed flow rate further increased, the separation efficiency increased. In addition, increased amount of soil caused a decrease in the separation efficiency.