Page 91 - Impiantitica industriale

Figure 2 - Particle size distri-
bution PSD (at Malvern Sizer
Laser Diffraction) of non tre-
ated solution

Figure 3 - P&ID of pilot
scale plant soli-liquid
hydrocyclone

dal particle size distribution of 13.3 µm (PSD is
shown in Figure 2).

The pilot scale plant

Experimental tests were made on a closed-loop
pilot scale plant where both the treated water
(overflow stream) and the separated solids (un-
derflow stream) were recirculated back to the
feeding tank, thus facilitating the process start-
up and control.
The pilot scale plant included the following devic-
es: a feeding mixed tank with conical section, an
electrical mixer, a centrifugal feeding pump, three
pressure gauges, (on the inlet feed, on the overflow
and on the underflow) two flow-meters the hydro-
cyclone/liner and a pressure vessel (Figure 3).

The slurry liquid, after being mixed, was pumped
by a centrifugal pump to the hydrocyclone. The
inlet flow rate was controlled by regulating both
the valve between tank and the centrifugal pump Figure 4 - Desanding cyclone manifactured in Cannon Artes factory before
and the valves on the bypass line. The 2” diam- shipment to Congo
eter liner (hydrocyclone element) was made by Liners are usually made of ceramic materials (allumi-
alumina and was fixed internally into a SS hous- na, silicon carbide, tungsten carbide etc.) since they
ing (Figure 4). operate in very corrosive and erosive conditions.

Impiantistica Italiana - Marzo-Aprile 2021 85