bermut:
A lot of what is applied to hydrocyclones for water use is derived from compressible gas equations...The equations are easily manipulated to fluids and will give you an understanding of how the process may work for you. I have designed several for water use and found pilot testing to develope emperical data is the best way for me.
Cyclones typically function to remove particles with specific gravities far greater than 1. I have however been able to realize oil removal from hot water with the devices..
My advice would be to set up a small pilot scale system for your application and then set in place a program to test for the analytical data for the raw and treated water streams in addition to the reject stream.
From this you will also be able to determine pressure drop. It is not a linear relationship to inlet pressure and depending on treated output, reject water volumes can vary greatly ans will removal efficincies. As you can see there are a lot of variables that you have to consider, making a strick fromula driven analysis of the system not suitable in most cases.
There are several hydrocyclone companies out there, Andritz is one that comes to my mind...
Let us know how you make out....
BobPE
