A method of improving grinding, grading and capacity of ores by reducing a fineness content ratio θ.sub.0 in settled ores includes providing a two-stage ore grinding and grading system including a first fully closed circuit including a grinder and a hydrocyclone, or a two-stage ore grinding and grading system including a first-stage open circuit, and controlling parameters for ore grinding and grading as follows: controlling a dc an value of a point B on a separation cone of a second-stage Φ500 mm hydrocyclone; controlling a fineness content ratio θ.sub.0 in settled ores; controlling a second-stage ore grinding and grading load Q.sub.2; and acquiring a first-stage grinding, grading and capacity Q of ores.

Described embodiments generally relate to a hydrocyclone for isolating particles within a fluid. The hydrocyclone comprises an upper conical section defining at least one inlet to receive the fluid, a vortex finder extending into the upper conical section, and an overflow port fluidly connected to the vortex finder and configured to expel a portion of the fluid out of the upper conical section; and a lower conical section defining an underflow port to expel the remaining fluid out of the lower conical section, the lower conical section being fluidly connected to the upper conical section to define a single hollow volume. The shape of the hydrocyclone causes particles smaller than a predetermined size to be isolated by expelling the particles from the overflow port.

Described embodiments generally relate to a hydrocyclone for isolating particles within a fluid. The hydrocyclone comprises an upper conical section defining at least one inlet to receive the fluid, a vortex finder extending into the upper conical section, and an overflow port fluidly connected to the vortex finder and configured to expel a portion of the fluid out of the upper conical section; and a lower conical section defining an underflow port to expel the remaining fluid out of the lower conical section, the lower conical section being fluidly connected to the upper conical section to define a single hollow volume. The shape of the hydrocyclone causes particles smaller than a predetermined size to be isolated by expelling the particles from the overflow port.

The invention provides an apparatus for separating components of a fluid stream, the apparatus comprising: (a) a support structure on which is mounted a rotatable centrifugal separator chamber in which separation of the components of the fluid stream occurs; (b) a fluid inlet for introducing a pressurised source of the fluid stream to be separated into the centrifugal separator chamber; (c) a fluid outlet for collecting one or more separated components of the fluid stream; (d) a vortex-creating device which rotates in order to introduce a vortex to the fluid stream in the centrifugal separation chamber thereby to bring about centrifugal separation of the components of the fluid stream; and wherein the centrifugal separator chamber and vortex-creating device are configured to rotate independently of each other.The invention also provides a method for separating components of a suspension, the method comprising passing the suspension through an apparatus as described herein.

The invention provides an apparatus for separating components of a fluid stream, the apparatus comprising: (a) a support structure on which is mounted a rotatable centrifugal separator chamber in which separation of the components of the fluid stream occurs; (b) a fluid inlet for introducing a pressurised source of the fluid stream to be separated into the centrifugal separator chamber; (c) a fluid outlet for collecting one or more separated components of the fluid stream; (d) a vortex-creating device which rotates in order to introduce a vortex to the fluid stream in the centrifugal separation chamber thereby to bring about centrifugal separation of the components of the fluid stream; and wherein the centrifugal separator chamber and vortex-creating device are configured to rotate independently of each other.The invention also provides a method for separating components of a suspension, the method comprising passing the suspension through an apparatus as described herein.

An apparatus for washing and grading sand includes a first vibrating screen having a deck arranged to receive a feed material. Oversize material passes over the deck of the first vibrating screen for collection as a first product, and undersize material and water are collected in a sump of the first vibrating screen before being pumped to a hydrocyclone. A second vibrating screen receives an underflow from the hydrocyclone upon a deck thereof, with oversize material passing over the deck of the second vibrating screen for collection as a second product. An overflow from the hydrocyclone passes into a settling tank, and a water storage reservoir receives water overflowing from the settling tank while sludge is collected and removed from a lower end of the settling tank. Water is passed from the water storage reservoir to the first and second vibrating screens to wash and fluidise material thereon.

An apparatus for washing and grading sand includes a first vibrating screen having a deck arranged to receive a feed material. Oversize material passes over the deck of the first vibrating screen for collection as a first product, and undersize material and water are collected in a sump of the first vibrating screen before being pumped to a hydrocyclone. A second vibrating screen receives an underflow from the hydrocyclone upon a deck thereof, with oversize material passing over the deck of the second vibrating screen for collection as a second product. An overflow from the hydrocyclone passes into a settling tank, and a water storage reservoir receives water overflowing from the settling tank while sludge is collected and removed from a lower end of the settling tank. Water is passed from the water storage reservoir to the first and second vibrating screens to wash and fluidise material thereon.

The invention relates to a beneficiation process for uranium ores comprising clay and carbonate minerals, the process comprising: performing a hydrocyclone step to obtain a hydrocyclone underflow fraction substantially comprising the uranium component; treating the hydrocyclone underflow fraction to effect a separation of carbonate and uranium minerals; and recovering the uranium-bearing minerals to produce a uranium concentrate.

The invention relates to a beneficiation process for uranium ores comprising clay and carbonate minerals, the process comprising: performing a hydrocyclone step to obtain a hydrocyclone underflow fraction substantially comprising the uranium component; treating the hydrocyclone underflow fraction to effect a separation of carbonate and uranium minerals; and recovering the uranium-bearing minerals to produce a uranium concentrate.

A method and apparatus for washing and grading sand includes a first grading screen adapted to separate a feed material into a fine fraction and a coarse fraction, the coarse fraction having a greater particle size than the fine fraction. A first fines separation stage including one or more hydrocyclones is adapted to receive the fine fraction entrained in water, downstream of the first grading screen to thereby remove fine contaminants. A first dewatering screen includes a deck adapted to dewater the fine fraction downstream of the first fines separation stage to provide a fine sand product, and a second dewatering screen includes a deck adapted to dewater the coarse fraction downstream of the first grading screen to provide a coarse sand product.