Far East Gold Processing Plant Tests Element Sand Nozzles

A major gold mining company in the Russian Far East conducted pilot industrial tests (PIT) of Element sand nozzles for the CAVEX 500 hydrocyclone.

In November 2023, ceramic nozzles from Mining Element were installed on a hydrocyclone battery in the grinding and classification section. The testing conditions were as follows:

• Hydrocyclone sands with 65-70% solid content were returned to the mill for regrinding to the required particle size.

• Hydrocyclone overflows with 30-35% solid content were directed to six drum screens for chip separation.

Before switching to Mining Element products, the plant relied on rubber and polyurethane nozzles, which failed prematurely under abrasive wear. Mining Element, in partnership with its distributor Nordfelt, proposed a universal solution using composite materials. The Element nozzles are crafted from ceramics on a polyurethane substrate. Unlike polymers, this material offers exceptional wear resistance, chemical inertness, and a low friction coefficient, significantly extending the lifespan of the nozzles.

After two months, the test results were in: the Element sand nozzles lasted 1,510 machine hours, fully meeting the customer's expectations.

According to Kirill Uvarov, a Nordfelt representative, the lower linings of hydrocyclones experience the most severe abrasive wear due to the concentration of heavy solid particles. These parts often fail first and require frequent replacement. “The correct material selection for sand nozzles effectively counters abrasive loads, increasing service life and extending equipment maintenance intervals,” Uvarov noted.

The pilot tests confirmed the quality and reliability of the nozzles. Based on these results, the company has included Element products in its list of recommended spare parts for procurement.