Laboratory Products
|
M17 Cyclosizer (C1 – C5)
MARC is the manufacturer of the Cyclosizer (Originally known as the Warman Cyclosizer). MARC inherited the responsibility of manufacturing the M15 model Cyclosizer from METCON (a sister business) in 2013. We immediately made a few modest changes and updated the model number to an M16 to signal the change. We have been manufacturing the M16 model since 2014. Now in 2023 we have introduced the M17 Cyclosizer. The M17 update is the most significant update yet. The M17 now has a stronger frame and cabinet. Dimensions have increased to improve vertical stability and improve laminar flow. The design has been tweaked to reduce manufacturing time but at the same time produce a machine that is easier to maintain and will no longer suffer from cabinet “rot” (corrosion). The M17 model has now completely replaced the M16 after verification has shown that the changes do not impact performance.
*3D Model Above Shown with Closed Rear for Modelling Purposes – The M17 is Open at the Rear
Updates from the M16 to M17 are modest but will help improve upgradability, increase useful life, decrease repair costs and reduce lead times. These updates are:
Discontinued M16 Cyclosizer
Use the »Calibration Tool« to check your Cyclosizer’s Performance!
The Background to the Cyclosizer The Cyclosizer is a laboratory precision apparatus for the rapid and accurate determination of particle size distribution within the sub sieve range. Each machine is calibrated individually before it leaves the works and typically separates an SG 2.65 sample into 5 cuts between 60 and 14 microns. The Cyclosizer was developed for the mining industry, and a feature of the Cyclosizer separation is that it returns the size fraction for assay or microscopic examination so that information on liberation sizes can be gathered. The operation of the Cyclosizer is robust so that although some operator skill is required, it is less sensitive than some other competing processes that do not produce size fractions for examination. Particles are separated according to their Stokes equivalent diameter and in this sense differ from say mesh screen sizes, which rely on whether or not a grain will pass a square aperture. Thus when plotting the sizing results there is often a small inflection in the graph associated with the change in sizing principle. When a Cyclosizer sizing is plotted against sizings using other techniques, there is generally a small parallel shift for each technique that is a function of how the technique defines particle size. Because the Cyclosizer uses the Stokes equivalent diameter, the fractions produced are specific gravity dependent. It is convention to express the sizings as quartz equivalents, but in reality, these sizings need to be corrected for variations in specific gravity. Corrections are calculated as part of the standard operating technique. Although a sizing may use an average specific gravity it is possible for discrete minerals to be classified separately. For instance in the first cyclone that separates at say 50 micron quartz equivalent this will also capture a 14 micron gold grain. Thus heavier minerals report to higher cyclones in the configuration. Machine life depends on usage and the environment but it is not unusual for the working life to exceed 25 years.
Cyclosizer Cyclone Performance Expectations The Cyclosizer’s cyclone cutting performance varies per model and per build. These machines are hand crafted and tiny variations in manufacturing will affect the character of each machine. The Cyclosizer is unique and is primarily used to split your sample up into size groups that can be assayed – but it is NOT a precise instrument. Sieve sizing’s can’t be perfectly matched to hydrocycloning and those both can’t be perfectly matched to laser sizing. The M17 Cyclosizer model is currently cutting silica (SG 2.65) at the sizes below at 11.6 L/min: C1 = +57 µm C2 = 37 µm C3 = 21 µm C4 = 17 µm C5 = 13 µm Yours may cut differently! Note that the C1 will cut out the largest particle size fraction of your sample up to the size of your prior sieve screening. This means that you need to screen on a 75 µm (or less) screen prior to Cyclosizing. Blockage of the apex discharge valve in C1 may become a problem if you don’t. Higher SG minerals produce cuts of a smaller particle size. A Higher flowrate produces cuts of a smaller particle size. A Higher water temperature produces cuts of a smaller particle size. Remember this when having high performance expectations with a variable temperature water source. If the water temperature increases during your run you will achieve cuts for the maximum temperature the run achieved – not for the average (remember that for your correction factors).
C5 Overflow Settling Decanter In certain tests it is common practice for the ore sample to be “pre-cycloned” or “deslimed” with a standalone single-cyclone C6 rig, and/or for the overflow of the Cyclosizer’s C5 (the last hydrocyclone) to be collected, decanted and filtered. This is for the extraction of the -C5 fraction of the sample for mass balancing and/or chemical analysis. MARC can offer a settling & decanting system for use with the Cyclosizer to reduce the manual handling associated with the extraction of the ultra-fine component. This system also allows for water to be returned to the Cyclosizer feed tank if water consumption is a concern. Contact us for more information.
Cyclosizer Ordering/Purchasing Details Feel free to contact us directly via the Contact Us page or email us (click) to place an order or make and enquiry. All Cyclosizers are 240V Single Phase but any inquiry for a Cyclosizer should include a statement of the electrical frequency required in your country – as the machines are supplied with either a 50 Hz or a 60 Hz pump/motor assembly. A 50Hz Cyclosizer cannot be used in a 60Hz country and vice versa. The machines are supplied ex works in a crate measuring 1680mm long, 2000mm high and 590mm deep, and weighing nearly 400kg. We also offer the Cyclosizer in a 316SS cabinet at a nominal upgrade cost. This is highly recommended as complete refurbishment after years of operation is definitely more viable if the cabinet is still corrosion free.
The M17 Cyclosizer is Only Available with a Stainless Steel Cabinet – available in either 50 or 60Hz. A Mild Steel Cabinet is No Longer Offered.
Please address your enquiry to us via the Contact Us page or email us (click). To reduce cost and turnaround, customers are advised that freight requirements would be better handled by the purchaser.
Lead Times The standard lead time of a Cyclosizer is 16 weeks. Even if we have units assembled we still need to set time aside out of our week to start the machine up, resolve any leaks or performance problems, calibrate and crate. To eliminate any errors due to the changing of operators the Cyclosizer is only calibrated by MARC’s General Manager so that every build passes the same rigorous inspection procedure and the same calibration techniques is applied. We only run calibration silica through the Cyclosizers so we can detect performance deviations immediately.
Spare Parts MARC maintains an extensive spare parts stock and most parts can be supplied ex stock on a quick turnaround. Consumables depend largely on the usage of the machines, but there is generally no call for spares for at least 10 years and then it is only for perishable items like gaskets etc. Some changes have occurred over the years to parts used, the most significant of which are the change from a two part glass cyclone assembly in the original Cyclosizers to a one part poly-carbonate cyclone assembly in the newer machines as well as a change in flow meters. These changes have led to new model numbers being produced and after some 40 years of manufacture we are now up to model 17. *Shipments to Central and Southern America: Due to abnormally rough handling by couriers in those regions all shipments will be packaged in a crate and increased packaging costs will apply (this does not include shipments consisting only of gaskets and calibration silica).
Refurbishments Please note we no longer offer refurbishments of old units. Technically a refurbishment is more work than making a new one. We hope that by standardizing on stainless steel cabinets and updating to a more modular design we can make it easier for you or your technician to replace parts yourselves.
Respirable Dust Measurement The Cyclosizer’s C5 hydrocyclone and its underflow provide a low risk means of collecting larger samples of respirable size particles from a 30g soil, road or crushed ore sample without generating dusts in the test. At silica’s SG of 2.65 the Cyclosizer will generate a sub-sample of a mean particle size between 14 and 12 μm in the C5 cyclone, the underflow will be smaller. Since the sample is run wet there is no exposure of the technician to dust particles (aside from sample weighing). The sub-sample can then be filtered (or settled and centrifuged), dried and analysed via XRD.
Comment on CSA Compliance and CE Marking The standard M17 Cyclosizer uses CSA marked/compliant electrical components and so is suitable for the Canadian market. Interested buyers are advised to clearly state the destination country so we can make even greater efforts to ensure our suppliers are supplying us CSA-compliant components for your order.
The M17 Cyclosizer is not CE Marked. The Cyclosizer is predominantly a mining industry product and the low interest and small % of total sales of the Cyclosizer into the EU mining industry do not justify the compliance process expense.
Manuals, Tools, Etc. Quick Reference Table – Temperature Correction factor
Cyclosizer Run Sheet
Click Images Above to Open
|
