Abstract: The invention provides a cyclone adapted for use in a dense medium separation process comprising an inlet chamber having a tangential raw material feed inlet, a vortex finder extending into the inlet chamber, and defining a low gravity fraction outlet for a low gravity fraction of separated material, a conical section opposed to the vortex finder extending and converging in a direction away from the inlet chamber, an outlet chamber extending co-axially with the conical section and in a direction opposed to the inlet chamber and providing an unobstructed flow path to a high gravity fraction outlet for a high gravity fraction of separated material being disposed generally tangentially relative to the outlet chamber.

Abstract: A hydrocyclone has an inlet head, one or more chambers located beneath the inlet head and terminating in an underflow outlet, a vortex finder located within the inlet head, and an overflow outlet connected to the vortex finder. The overflow outlet has a peripheral annular zone therein that receives coarse particles in the overflow issuing from the vortex finder, and a secondary outlet communicates with the annular zone.

Abstract: The invention provides a cyclone comprising a generally cylindrical inlet head into which a vortex finder extends co-axially, and from which a tubular section extends opposed to the vortex finder, a generally tangentially disposed inlet for introducing raw material into the inlet head, the tangential inlet being elongated at the zone of its junction with the inlet head to define a major outer wall and a major inner wall, the major outer wall merging with the wall of the cylindrical inlet head generally tangentially at such junction, while the major inner wall diverges towards the axis of the inlet head at each junction.

Abstract: A cast iron hydrocyclone (1,21) made of separate parts joined together, wherein at least two of the parts (2,3; 22,23) are held together by a pair of separate collars (7,8; 26,28) connected to one another, each collar being anchored to one or the other of the parts. The parts may be so anchored by bearing against an anchor provided on the parts.