Hydrocyclone control in grinding circuits

A new control concept for hydrocyclones being operated in grinding circuits is presented. Such a system is required with increased hardness of the mill feed resulting in coarser mill discharge, increased circulating load and higher solids content in the hydrocyclone feed. Applying volume split control enables stabilizing the reduced efficiency curve of separation. A grinding circuit can be operated in a wide range between ≈150% and 620% of circulating load with this advanced control system. The high solids content in the hydrocyclone underflow results in a minimum of circulating load with less overgrinding.