Multi-stage hydrocyclones, potato/ cassava/ corn starch process equipment

Multi-stage hydrocyclones, key process machine for starch processing

Working principle

Mutli-stages hydrocyclone is suitable for removing soluble and insoluble foreign matters such as protein, fiber, pectin and etc from starch milk efficiently. By centrifugal force of inflow under high pressure, each conical cyclone works as a separate unit inside the whole block. The working principle is by the centrifugal force heavy phase matter i.e. starch moves down to the bottom of cyclone as underflow thus form an opposite pressure on light phase matters i.e. protein, fiber to move up to the top as overflow. By this mean, starch is purified stage by stage and at the last stage starch milk of 18-22 Baume will be obtained.

Main Function

                              Fig. I                                                                                     Fig. II

There are two types of hydrocyclone blocks in Multi-hydrocyclones as shown above in Fig. I and Fig. II. Each type is used in different stage along one battery of hydrocyclones.

Fig. I named plate type hydrocyclone is of hygienic type suitable for starch milk full of sticky matters such as pectin. This type features no dead-end and free flow in channel so bacteria can't not stay alive inside the channel, which ensure hygiene standard. Normally this type is used in concentration and recovery stage of Multi-hydrocyclones.

Fig. II named drum type hydrocyclone is used in rinsing stage of Multi-hydrocyclones with good performance. It's suitable for washing less sticky starch milk such as corn starch. 

Normally, one battery of hydrocyclones includes the following in sequence:

- 1 stage of concentration hydrocyclone;

- 2 stages of recovery hydrocyclone;

- 9 stages of rinsing hydrocyclone for cassava starch or

 12 stages of rinsing hydrocyclone for potato starch (because the fine fiber content is higher in potato starch milk and it is harder to wash starch with fiber)