Hydrocyclones or Sand separators are used for the separation and retention of heavier than water suspended solids (mainly sand) with remarkable results and minimal head losses. They are used as primary filters before screen, disk and sand media filters to retain sand particles, thus preventing any clogging of the main filtration system.
Operations: When the unclean water enters the hydrocyclone, the centrifugal force causes the particles to spin at high speed onto the filter’s walls in a tangential direction and then gather in the collection chamber at the bottom of the filter from where they are flushed out through the drain valve or via an automatic flushing kit. Clean water moves out from the hydrocyclone from the outlet on the top.
Advantages: Excellent tools for separating solid materials from liquids. No moving parts, minimal head losses.