Australian Mining Industry uses Aeroprobe equipment to study hydro-cyclone processes

Hydro-cyclones are used by in mining industry to separate minerals based on size and density. Slurry is given a vigorous rotation in the cyclone which generates a radial force field. Large/dense particles are driven to the outer regions and underflow, while small and light particles are attracted to the core and overflow. Historically these designs have been empirical. Improved hydro-cyclone designs will reduce mineral processing costs. The flow in these machines is turbulent and multiphase.

Researchers of the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Center employed an Aeroprobe five-hole "Cobra"-type probe and Aeroprobe’s multi-media sensor module to measure velocity components in a machine operated with water only. They have also conducted numerical calculations using a commercial CFD code. Their experimental results appear to validate their calculations as shown in the Figure below where the axial velocity profiles are plotted.