Element Sand Nozzles for CAVEX 500 Hydrocyclone Successfully Tested

The CAVEX 500 hydrocyclone sand nozzle was installed in November 2023 on a hydrocyclone battery in the grinding and classification section for testing under operating conditions. Hydrocyclone sands containing 65-70% solids are returned to the mill for further grinding to the required size. Hydrocyclone overflows containing 30-35% solids are fed into six trommel screens for chip separation. Previously, the enterprise used rubber and polyurethane nozzles, which failed prematurely due to abrasive wear. As a universal solution, specialists from Mining Element and the official distributor Nordfelt proposed nozzles made of a composite material—ceramic on a polyurethane substrate. Compared to polymers, this solution offers high wear resistance, inertness to aggressive environments, and a lower coefficient of friction. These properties significantly increase the nozzles' service life. The first test results were recorded after two months. The service life of the Element parts was 1,510 motor hours, fully meeting the customer's requirements. Kirill Uvarov, a representative of Nordfelt, notes that due to the concentration of heavy solid particles, the lower liners of hydrocyclones are subjected to the most significant abrasive wear and require frequent replacement. The properties of the wear part material are of great importance: "A correctly selected sand nozzle material effectively resists abrasive load. This increases the service life and maintenance interval of the equipment," Uvarov noted. The results of the industrial tests confirmed the reliability and quality of the nozzles, and Element products have been included in the list of recommended components for procurement by the enterprise.