Weir Minerals has launched its Cavex® 2 hydrocyclone, which is an exciting improvement on the successful Cavex® hydrocyclone launched in the 1990s.

The design of the new generation model ensures a step-change in separation performance and reduced turbulence, says Lerato Ramanala, product manager hydrocyclones for Africa and the Middle East at Weir Minerals Africa.

“The Cavex 2 hydrocyclone improves the design of the 360⁰ laminar spiral inlet, which delivered a step-change in separation performance and reduced turbulence,” says Ramanala. “The new design includes the LIG+ advanced laminar spiral inlet and a longer feed chamber, further reducing turbulence and classifying a higher volume of feed slurry.”

She highlights that the Cavex® 2 has the same footprint as the original Cavex® hydrocyclone – and competitor cyclones – so retrofitting is a simple process. Customers can benefit not only from the increased throughput capacity but through operational flexibility by being able to take hydrocyclones offline for maintenance without affecting process flow.

Results from Cavex® 2 hydrocyclones installed across the globe have shown that it maximises plant recovery by reducing the quantity of misclassified particles; the alpha parameter improves by an average of 10% while the bypass improves by an average of over 15%. Fewer fines are returned to the mill, and mines can reduce their carbon footprint by consuming less energy for small particle reduction.

The Cavex® 2 accommodates the company’s in-house Synertrex® industrial internet of things (IIOT) technology, which detects sub-optimal operating conditions like roping in real time and improves overall performance. This aligns with mining industry efforts to leverage digital technology to create mines of the future.

The shape of the liner has also been improved leading to longer life, less downtime for maintenance and lower total cost of ownership. Liners are available in a range of materials including industry‑leading Linatex® premium rubber and other robust Weir Minerals natural rubbers such as R55®.

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