Hydrocyclone Design Optimization Catering for a Higher Plant Throughput

Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. had a rated capacity of approximately 1200 MTPD. They wanted it to expand up to 1500-2000 MTPD. For this they wanted to increase the fresh feed to the mill.

The Tega sales team off the region was approached by the customer who informed them about the decision to increase plant throughput and requested Tega to optimize the existing Tega Hydrocyclone in order to meet a specified cut size.

The Hydrocyclone TSS team visited the site to understand the circuit and collect some operating parameters.

Upon running simulations based on the operating parameters as well as the particle size distribution requirements, a selection for a Tega Hydrocyclone was made. The TSS team proposed to install customized 20 inch cyclones for the application to achieve a 40- 46 MTPH increase in feed throughput, thus achieving 70- 80% passing 200 mesh.

Upon installation of the new design and fine tuning the circuit, it was found that the operational result was even better than expected. Fresh feed increased to 48 tph from 40 tph (more than the calculated and suggested), while still maintaining a P 80 of 200 mesh.