IP Library Granted Patent US 12,508,603
Granted Patent B2
US 12,508,603 · App. 17/421,831 · Granted Dec 30, 2025

Hydrocyclone for detecting formation of a roping state

Inventors: Matti Sakaranaho (Oulu, FI); Teemu Soini (Kuopio, FI); Jari Kourunen (Kuopio, FI); Jani Kaartinen (Kuopio, FI); Janne Loimi (Helsinki, FI); Kari Heiskanen (Helsinki, FI)
Assignee: Metso Finland Oy
B04C11/00B04C5/14G01N27/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,508,603
App. No.
17/421,831
Granted
Dec 30, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A hydrocyclone for separating feed into overflow and underflow comprises a feed inlet, an overflow outlet, an apex for discharging underflow, an upper section connected to the feed inlet and the overflow outlet, a conical section between the upper section and the apex and a plurality of electrodes for measuring electrical conductivity inside the hydrocyclone to detect the formation of a roping state in the hydrocyclone. The plurality of electrodes are is positioned circumferentially in the conical section on an axial distance from the apex (d meas ); wherein d meas is at least 5 percent of the axial distance between the apex and the upper section, and d meas is at most 50 percent of the axial distance between the apex and the upper section.

Claims (20)

1 . A hydrocyclone for separating feed into overflow and underflow, comprising:

(i) a feed inlet;

(ii) an overflow outlet;

(iii) an apex for discharging underflow;

(iv) an upper section connected to the feed inlet and the overflow outlet;

(v) a conical section between the upper section and the apex, the conical section is divided in separate upper part and lower part in an axial dimension; and

(vi) a plurality of electrodes for measuring electrical conductivity inside the hydrocyclone to detect the formation of a roping state in the hydrocyclone;

wherein the plurality of electrodes is positioned circumferentially in the conical section on an axial distance from the apex (d meas ); wherein d meas is at least 5 percent of the axial distance between the apex and the upper section, and d meas is at most 50 percent of the axial distance between the apex and the upper section; and

wherein the plurality of electrodes is positioned substantially horizontally, perpendicular to the axial dimension, within an annular gasket, the annular gasket is located between the upper part and the lower part of the conical section.

2 . The hydrocyclone according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrodes comprises at least nine electrodes for electrical resistance tomography (ERT) and/or electrical impedance tomography (EIT) mapping.

3 . The hydrocyclone according to claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the electrodes in the plurality of electrodes is at least 2.5 millimeters.

4 . The hydrocyclone according to claim 1 , wherein the annular gasket is of rubber or insulating polymer.

5 . The hydrocyclone according to claim 1 , wherein the annular gasket is clamped between the upper part and the lower part.

6 . The hydrocyclone according to claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the annular gasket is at least 5 millimeters.

7 . The hydrocyclone according to claim 1 , wherein an outer circumference of the annular gasket comprises an extension for each of the electrodes in the plurality of electrodes.

8 . A method for measuring electrical conductivity within a hydrocyclone to detect the formation of a roping state in the hydrocyclone by using the hydrocyclone recited in claim 1 ,

wherein the method comprises utilizing the plurality of electrodes positioned within the annular gasket to measure electrical conductivity inside the hydrocyclone to detect the formation of the roping state in the hydrocyclone.

9 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein a weight of solid matter in the feed introduced into the hydrocyclone corresponds to 10-85 percent of the total weight of the feed.

10 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein solid matter in the feed introduced into the hydrocyclone has specific weight of 1.5-7.0 tons per cubic meter.

11 . The method according to claim 9 , wherein solid matter in the feed introduced into the hydrocyclone has specific weight of 1.5-7.0 tons per cubic meter.

Assignments (3)
MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 23, 2025
From: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY; METSO MINERALS OY
To: METSO OUTOTEC FINLAND OY
Reel/Frame 072339/0131 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 23, 2025
From: METSO OUTOTEC FINLAND OY
To: METSO FINLAND OY
Reel/Frame 072929/0153 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 22, 2025
From: SAKARANAHO, MATTI; SOINI, TEEMU; KOURUNEN, JARI; KAARTINEN, JANI; LOIMI, JANNE; HEISKANEN, KARI
To: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
Reel/Frame 072333/0644 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220097082A1 · Mar 31, 2022
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