UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL Page 1 of 2

DISCIPLINE OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

COURSE: ENCH2MS DATE
LECTURER: Dr. N.M. Mkhize
TOPIC: Tutorial 4 solution 11 MAY 2023

Question 1

A cyclone manufacturer provides a 2 inch diameter cyclone with an imperfection of 0.2. For a slurry
of the size distribution in the table below, which is to have a cut-point of 200 μm, what will be the
size distribution of the overflow product and the percentage feed solids to the overflow in the ideal
system.

DATA:
Particle Size (𝝁𝒎) Mass Retained (%)
+500 0.8
-500+355 3.6
-355+250 8.2
-250+180 12.4
-180+125 14.6
-125+90 16.8
-90+63 25.0
-63 18.4

Assuming ideal situation, since the cut-point is 200 µm any size ≤ 200 will fall under Overflow of
hydro cyclones. And any size >200 µm will report to underflow (appears as zero in overflow table)
Assume a basis of 100 kg Feed but imperfection of 0.2 indicated mass only adds to 99.8
 UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL Page 2 of 2
DISCIPLINE OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
COURSE: ENCH2MS DATE
LECTURER: Dr. N.M. Mkhize
TOPIC: Tutorial 4 solution 11 MAY 2023

74.8
Without imperfections, the % feed solids to overflow = ( 100 ) × 100 = 74.8% solids to overflow
74.8
With 0.2 imperfection means the %feed solids to overflow = ( 99.8) × 100 = 74.95 % solids to

overflow

Question 2

In the hydro cyclone underflow is recycled

𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑦𝑙𝑐𝑒𝑑
Re circulationg load ratio =
𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑠ℎ 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑑

Material balance gives mass of underflow = 340 tons and that of th overflow is 160 tons.
Every time 160 tons is the fresh feed.

340
Re circulating load ratio= = 2.125
160

Question 3
 UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL Page 3 of 2
DISCIPLINE OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
COURSE: ENCH2MS DATE
LECTURER: Dr. N.M. Mkhize
TOPIC: Tutorial 4 solution 11 MAY 2023

Hydro cyclone products = underflow and overflow

Mass balance gives 340 tons underflow and 160 tons overflow.

Volume of solid in feed = volume of solid in underflow + volume of solid in overflow

500 340 160
= +
3.635 3.635 3.635
137.552 𝑚3 = 93.535 𝑚3 + 44.017 𝑚3
75
Volume of water in feed = 311 × 25 = 412.656 𝑚3

Volume of water in underflow = 0.37 X 412.656 = 152.683 m3

93.535×100
Solids concentration in underflow = 93.535+152.683 = 37.989 %

Volume of water in overflow = 412.656 – 152.683 = 259.973 m3

44.017×100
Solids concentration in overflow = 44.017+259.973 = 14.480 %