Hydroclones are a simple, cost-effective way of separating solids or gases from liquids. Like a centrifuge, a Hydroclone separates mixtures based on differential specific gravities of the mixture components.

However, UNLIKE centrifuges, Hydroclones...

• have no moving parts
• require no separate power source
• are virtually maintenance free
• are very affordable for many industrial applications

How they work

ChemIndustrial Hydroclones work by spinning an incoming mixture through a contoured inner chamber, directing heavy materials in a downward spiral path along the chamber wall and sending light materials upward through the top center outlet. The technique is surprisingly effective at separating most mixtures into heavy and light components.

ChemIndustrial makes Hydroclones in several diameters out of chemical-resistant polypropylene. Our exclusive modular construction allows a range of settling zone geometries to optimize separation for many process applications.

Modular construction

ChemIndustrial's clamped flange modularity allows great flexibility in Hydroclone configuration, including...

• Extended length models enabling optimal separation of "heavies" of various types, in various flow conditions
• Models with accumulation chambers for accumulating "heavies"
• Right and left-handed models

Acccumulation chamber

Hydroclones are usually employed in continuous processes. However, if the quantity of downflow "heavies" is very small, the downflow discharge can be difficult to set.

Setting the downflow discharge rate too high wastes separation capacity by allowing "lights" to discharge along with the separated "heavies". On the other hand, setting the downflow discharge rate too low risks plugging of the downflow outlet followed by backup and resuspension of "heavies" in the body of the Hydroclone.

An accumulation chamber addresses this problem by providing an engineered semi-isolated holding zone for "heavies". The accumulation chamber can be discharged periodically by a timed blow-down cycle, or under the control of a turbidimeter or other sensor.

Right and left-handed models

Experts know that the Coreolis Effect is far too small to influence flow in any vessel - let alone a vessel as small as a Hydroclone. That doesn't mean it's a mistake to have a system where every Hydroclone is convertible between right hand and left hand entry.

• Think layout flexibility
• Think configurability
• Think space savings

...and, if you insist, think about the simplicity of being able to order a Hydroclone system without worrying whether it will be used in the northern OR southern hemisphere!

Hydroclone arrays

Multiple Hydroclones can be combined into...

• parallel arrays for higher flow rates
• series arrays for multistage "polishing" and increased recovery
• manifolds for higher flow AND recovery rates

ChemIndustrial provides stainless steel frames for array mounting.

Chemical resistant materials

ChemIndustrial stocks standard Hydroclones and our modular Hydroclone components in polypropylene. This material has a very wide range of chemical resistance.

Our standard pipework is also polypropylene. Clamps are 304 Stainless while gaskets are either EPDM or Viton®.

Other materials are available on special order.