Experimental study on the air core in a hydrocyclone

The evolution of an air core is an important phenomenon in hydrocyclones, which are sensitive to the operating conditions. The morphology of the air core in a hydrocyclone is studied experimentally, using a high-speed video camera and a noise analyzer. Three stages are observed during the increase of flow rate from 300 to 2,400 L per hour, which could be separated by both the noise measurement and the stability of the air core. The flow rate is found to have a nonmonotonic effect on the diameter of the air core, leading to a peak diameter. The influence of the overflow and underflow on the underflow-to-throughput ratio and air flow patterns is also investigated. It is found that the underflow-to-throughput ratio and air flow patterns are sensitive to the valve openings of both outlets.