Hydrocyclone Cut Size (d50) & Separation Calculator
Calculate solid-liquid hydrocyclone separation cut point (d50), operating pressure drop, underflow-to-overflow split ratio, and classification sharpness.
Cyclone Body Geometry & Flow
Physical Fluid & Particle Properties
Classification Cut Size
Recommended Tools & Equipment
Tested hardware and components for high reliability
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the cut size (d50) represent in hydrocyclone operation?
The d50 cut point is the particle diameter that has an exact 50% statistical probability of reporting to the heavy underflow and a 50% probability of escaping into the overflow stream. Particles larger than d95 report nearly 100% to the underflow, while particles smaller than d10 escape in the overflow.
How does operating pressure drop affect hydrocyclone separation cut size?
Higher pressure drop (e.g. 25-35 psi vs 10 psi) increases tangential feed slurry entry velocity, creating greater centrifugal G-force acceleration. This forces smaller and finer particles to the cyclone outer wall, sharpening separation and reducing the d50 cut size.
Why are manifolds of dozens of 2-inch or 4-inch cyclones used instead of one 24-inch cyclone?
Cut size d50 scales strongly with cyclone diameter (d50 ~ Dc^0.65). A large 24-inch cyclone may have a coarse cut point of 75-100 microns. To achieve a fine classification of 10 to 15 microns while treating 1,000 GPM, engineers install a radial cluster of twenty 4-inch cyclones operating in parallel.