ABSTRACT
Classification is a method of separating mixtures of particles of different sizes, shapes and specific gravities into two or more products on the basis of the velocity with which the particles fall through a fluid medium, that is, settling velocity. The units in which the separation of solids in fluid medium is carried out are known as classifiers. These classifiers may be grouped into three broad classes as: sizing classifiers; sorting classifiers; and centrifugal classifiers. Sorting classifiers employ the hindered settling conditions to increase the effect of density in order to separate the particles according to their density rather than size. As these classifiers use the rising current of water, they are called hydraulic classifiers and vertical current classifiers. The size of the hydrocyclone is the diameter of its cylindrical section. The variables that affect the performance of a hydrocyclone can be divided into two groups as design variables and operating variables.
