Gas-solid separation performance and structure optimization in 3D printed guide vane cyclone separator

Low separation efficiency and large pressure drop are two common problems of cyclones. In this paper, a 3D printed guide vane cyclone separator was designed to study the separation efficiency, turbulent kinetic energy, and particle movement of particle group by experiment and simulation. The results shown that the tangential velocity was the major influence of separating. The bottom of the exhaust pipe was the main region of gas–solid separation and pressure drop. The separation efficiency and pressure drop were positively correlated with the inlet velocity and the particle radius of the fluid. The distribution of turbulent kinetic energy that leaded to the pressure drop loss was concentrated on the inlet of the exhaust pipe. The swirl has external and internal two directions. The optimized cyclone has a longer and narrower blade flow path to obtain higher separation efficiency, especially at low inlet velocity.     

Effect of the inlet angle on the performance of a cyclone separator using CFD-DEM

Hydrodynamic characteristics in a cyclone separator are simulated by means of DEM-CFD. Reynolds stress turbulence model (RSM) is used to capture gas turbulence. By changing the inlet angle, the distributions of pressure drop, tangential and axial velocity of gas phase are obtained within the cyclone. Simulated results indicate that the flow pattern consists of two regions: loss-free vortex region and forced vortex region. The negative inlet angle brings about a larger pressure drop comparing to positive inlet angle. The separation efficiency and trajectory of particles from simulation are obtained. The effects of inlet angle and particle size on separation efficiency are quantified. The separation efficiency is increased with an increase of particle size, while the separation efficiency firstly increases and then declined as inlet angle changes from negative to positive. An agreement between the numerical simulation and experimental results has been achieved in a cyclone separator.     

Experimental and CFD study on effects of spiral guide vanes on cyclone performance

This paper presents an experimental and numerical study on a tangential inlet cyclone separator with a spiral guide vane which is not often researched. Numerical pressure drop results were in close agreement with the experimental data. The spiral guide vane was also found to considerably influence the velocity distribution, turbulence intensity, pressure drop and collection efficiency in the cyclone. A critical value of spiral guide vane turns appeared below or above which there was a marked increase in collection efficiency, pressure drop, and tangential velocity. Compared to a cyclone with zero spiral guide vane turn, the maximal decrease in collection efficiency in the cyclone with the critical spiral guide vane turns (one turn) was 2% approximately. The maximum-efficiency inlet velocity appeared to exist independent of spiral guide vane turns, as inlet velocity affected the radial distance traveled by the rebounded particles from the inner wall. The analysis of flow field in cyclones indicated that the flow field was improved with the spiral guide vanes employed to some extent. The results presented here may provide a workable reference for the effects of spiral guide vanes on the flow field and corresponding performance in cyclone separators.     

Performance evaluation of a hydrocyclone with a spiral rib for separation of particles

Several design modifications have been done to improve particle separation efficiency in a hydrocyclone. The effects of a rib which is introduced into the cylindrical part of the hydrocyclone are discussed here. CFD (Computational fluid dynamics) is a useful tool to study the velocity and pressure distribution of complex turbulent flow in a hydrocyclone. Flow simulations are carried out using a three-dimensional double precision, segregated, steady-state solver tool. Reynolds stress model is employed for turbulent model which is suitable for the anisotropic turbulent flow. A comparison study for pressure drop and flow velocity for the conventional and ribbed hydrocyclone have done. The obtained CFD simulated results in correlation with experimental data shows that the pressure drop reduces by 13.9% at a velocity of 2.5 m/s by using rib. An experimental finding shows that the cut size particle diameter for conventional and ribbed hydrocyclone are 36 µm and 28 µm respectively at the velocity of 2.5 m/s.     

Introduction and simulation of a small electro cyclone for collecting indoor pollen particles

Since pollen is a major cause of allergies, collecting it from the environment seems to be beneficial. In this study, a new electro cyclone is proposed and simulated for collecting pollen from indoor environments. In this cyclone, an electrode is added to a traditional cyclone to apply additional force to particles that have already been pre-charged. The obtained results showed an increase of 14, 33 and 53 (%) in separation efficiency for pollen particle sizes of 10, 8 and 6 µm. Moreover, at lower inlet velocity, high electrostatic voltage enhances the efficiency, with the effect being more noticeable on finer particles. The validity of the simulation results was confirmed by comparing it with experimental and simulation findings of our previous study. It is also concluded that small electro cyclone systems are more efficient in removing fine particles from various gas streams.     

Study of inlet temperature effect on single and double inlets cyclone performance

In this paper, a comprehensive study is performed in order to demonstrate the effect of the flow and particle temperature on cyclone performance. Three main characteristics of the low-mass-loading gas-solid cyclone separators, including: pressure drop, particle separation efficiency and natural vortex length are investigated. Eulerian-Lagrangian approach is employed to solve the unsteady Navier-Stokes and energy equations to model the flow of particles. Because of the strong swirling flow in cyclone, Reynolds stress transport model (RSTM) is used to calculate the Reynolds stresses. Numerical simulation is accomplished at a temperature range of 293–700 K and four inlet velocities. Also, a comparison is conducted between two Stairmand high efficiency cyclones with the same dimensions, one with single inlet and the other with double inlets to declare the effect of the second inlet on cyclone performance. The analysis of results shows that the swirling flow becomes weaker for higher temperature cases and thus, flow pressure drop and particle separation efficiency is noticeably decreased. Increasing in temperature causes decrease in natural vortex length. Also, study of natural vortex length is performed for the studied range of temperature.     

入口带有加速段方形分离器性能研究

分离器的分级分离效率是循环流化床锅炉性能的主要影响因素之一。在冷态试验的基础上开发了带有加速段的方形分离器，并在热态实验台和工业规模设备上进行了热态测试。测试结果表明：分离器从小尺寸冷态放大到工业规模热态运行分级分离效率变化不大，与相同当量直径的常规圆形旋风筒的分级分离效率相近，设计工况下dc50为42μm，dc99为160μm；阻力约为500Pa。测试结果为其进一步放大提供了可靠的依据。     

The effect of particle humidity on separation efficiency for an axial cyclone separator

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of particle humidity on the inlet particle size distribution, overall efficiency, grade efficiency and cut size diameter for an axial cyclone separator with inner diameter of 150?mm. The collection and grade efficiencies of the cyclone separator were measured by on-line method for inlet velocities, particle concentration and particle humidity in the ranges of 12–18?m/s, 30–500?mg/m³ and 8–30‰, respectively. By employing a set of fixed parameters for inlet velocity and particle concentration, the effect of particle humidity on separation efficiency was investigated. The experimental results show that the volume ratio of larger particle increases with the increasing of particle humidity due to particle agglomeration. When the inlet velocity and particle humidity remain constant, the collection and grade efficiencies improve greatly as the increasing of the particle concentration because of the particle aggregation. However, it was noticed that the grade efficiencies did not always increased with the increasing of particle humidity under the same conditions of inlet velocity and particle concentration. The trends of grade efficiency curves for different particle humidity change at the particle diameter of approximately 10?μm. The grade efficiency improves with the increasing of particle humidity when the particle diameter is larger than 10?μm, while a contrary tendency is observed when the particle diameter is smaller than 10?μm.     

PM2.5细颗粒物分离技术的数值模拟和性能改进

旋风切割器是分离细颗粒物的主流技术,为了提高其分离效率并减少能耗,本文分析了切割器参数对粒子分离的影响.基于计算流体动力学数值模拟的方法,分析了VSCC型旋风切割器的内部湍流流场,比较15~25L/min范围内不同流速下的涡流变化情况;基于"逃逸率"概念,模拟1~6μm内不同粒径的细小粒子逃逸率随流速的变化曲线,考察临界粒径dc并结合气溶胶实验进行验证,分析流速对分离性能的影响程度;之后考察了流速对压降的影响,提出一种几何参数改进方案,在避免压降升高的前提下提高分离性能.研究表明:流速影响旋风切割器内的湍流分布,随着流速增大,临界粒径变小,分离性能得到提升,模拟结果在16 L/min的流速下,临界粒径约为2.5μm,与实验结果基本一致,并且利用曲线给出计算总分离效率的思路;调节几何参数可以实现在低能耗的前提下,将临界粒径进一步降低为1.1μm,收集效率更高.研究结果可为PM2.5切割器的商业选择或工程设计提供理论参考.     

CFD simulation of a novel design of square cyclone with dual-inverse cone

The objective of the present study is to propose a novel design to improve the separation efficiency of the conventional square cyclone. For this purpose, the conical section of the conventional square cyclone with single-cone is modified to dual inverse-cone. In addition, the effect of second-cone length on the performance of cyclone is considered. A three-dimensional numerical simulation is done by solving the Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations with the Reynolds Stress Model (RSM) turbulence model and applying the Eulerian-Lagrangian two-phase method. The turbulent dispersion of particles is predicted by the application of the Discrete Random Walk (DRW) model. The numerical results demonstrate that dual inverse-cone square cyclone although produces higher pressure drop but its separation efficiency is higher than the square cyclone with single-cone. This is due to a smaller separation zone and shorter path of particle movements which force the particles exit from the outlet section of the cyclone. Finally, using dual-inverse cone square cyclone reduces the 50% cut size about 10% and 30% for inlet velocities of 12 m/s and 28 m/s, respectively.     

Influences of inlet height and velocity on main performances in the cyclone separator

Aiming at improving collection efficiency in the cyclone separator, the effects of inlet height and velocity on tangential velocity, static pressure and collection efficiency were studied. A three-dimensional model including gas-flow, and particle-dynamics fields was built by the Reynolds stress turbulence model, and the numerical simulation was achieved using the FLUENT software. The static pressure distribution, tangential velocity distribution, and particle trajectory of the cyclone were obtained, and the variation law of the collection efficiency with inlet height and velocity as well as particle diameter was analyzed. Numerical results indicate that both the static pressure and the tangential velocity in the cyclone basically present the axial symmetrical distribution, the static pressure shows a nonlinear increasing trend in the radius direction and the distribution of the tangential velocity is in the shape of a “hump.” The increase of inlet height in a certain range reduces the rotation numbers of particles in the cyclone and shortens the residence time, which results in the improvement of trapping performance. Furthermore, the appropriately increasing inlet velocity in a reasonable range can make the collection efficiency increased.     

Evaluation of numerical schemes using different simulation methods for the continuous phase modeling of cyclone separators

The steady and unsteady state simulations of Stairmand cyclone separator were carried out to investigate the performance of different interpolation schemes for discretization of pressure gradient and advection terms. The RSM turbulence model was revisited to explore its simulation capability of PVC phenomenon and fluctuating velocity profiles of cyclone separators. The combination of Presto, SO, standard and BFW schemes for discretization of pressure gradient and FOU, power law, SOU, QUICK and MUSCL schemes for discretization of advection terms were studied. The double precision solver of Fluent 6.3.26 and modified RSM turbulence model constants of Jiao et al. (Chem. Eng. Technol. 30 (2007) 15–20) were also verified for simulation of cyclone separators. The predicted mean and fluctuating velocity profiles and pressure drop inside the cyclone separator with steady and unsteady simulations have been compared to experimental results available in literature.The steady state simulation failed to predict velocity profiles and pressure drop inside cyclone separator accurately, whereas the unsteady state simulation predicted velocity profiles, pressure drop and PVC phenomenon close to experimental values. The prediction of fluctuating velocity profile was better than previously reported work in the core region compared to the off core region. The present study revealed that the SOU scheme for discretization of advection terms of momentum, kinetic energy and its dissipation rate equations and the FOU scheme for Reynolds stresses together with the Presto scheme for discretization of pressure gradient with unsteady simulation are the optimum choice for simulation of cyclone separators.     

Modeling and numerical simulation of flow field in three types of standard new design cyclone separators

In this paper, numerical simulation of flow field in three types of standard new design cyclone separators namely 1D2Dn, 1D3Dn and 2D2Dn are investigated. In these standard cyclones, the length of cylindrical top part of the body is equal to 1, 1 and 2 times of the body diameter, respectively; and the length of the cylindrical bottom part is 2, 3 and 2 times of the body diameter. The new design cyclone is based on the idea of improving cyclone collection efficiency and pressure drop by increasing the vortex length. The Eulerian-Lagrangian computational procedure is used to predict particles tracking in the cyclones. The velocity fluctuations are simulated using the Discrete Random Walk (DRW). Results show that among the three standard new design cyclones, cyclone 2D2Dn has the highest efficiency followed by 1D3Dn one with about only 2% lower efficiency. Cyclone 1D2Dn possesses the lowest efficiency among all. Similarly, the highest pressure drop occurs in cyclone 2D2Dn. Cyclones 1D3Dn and 1D2Dn followed 2D2Dn one with a marked difference of about 20%. In result section, the details of the flow field including velocity, pressure contours, turbulence, velocity vectors and particle trajectory will be presented.     

Effects of Exit Tube Diameter on the Flow Field in Cyclones

A number of cyclones with different exit tube diameters have been simulated with CFD in this study. Results show that the exit tube diameter influences not only the velocity magnitude, but also the shape of the velocity profiles within cyclones. Depending on the diameter of the exit tube, the axial velocity profiles can exhibit a either maximum or a minimum on the axis. If the exit tube diameter is small, the central flow has a jet-like appearance. On the other hand, axial velocity dip in the profile can be observed near the center in a cyclone with a large gas exit tube. In addition, the well-known double vortexes, which commonly are present in a cyclone of practical design, do not exist in a cyclone with an excessively large exit tube. Quantitative comparison of velocity distribution shows that the tangential velocity increases as the exit tube diameter is reduced, giving rise to higher particle collection efficiency. Usually, the pressure drop decreases with increasing exit tube diameter. However, if the exit tube size is excessively large, the pressure drop may start to increase. Practically, cyclone with an excessively large exit tube should be avoided.     

Design of artificial neural networks using a genetic algorithm to predict collection efficiency in venturi scrubbers

In this study, a new approach for the auto-design of neural networks, based on a genetic algorithm (GA), has been used to predict collection efficiency in venturi scrubbers. The experimental input data, including particle diameter, throat gas velocity, liquid to gas flow rate ratio, throat hydraulic diameter, pressure drop across the venturi scrubber and collection efficiency as an output, have been used to create a GA-artificial neural network (ANN) model. The testing results from the model are in good agreement with the experimental data. Comparison of the results of the GA optimized ANN model with the results from the trial-and-error calibrated ANN model indicates that the GA-ANN model is more efficient. Finally, the effects of operating parameters such as liquid to gas flow rate ratio, throat gas velocity, and particle diameter on collection efficiency were determined.     

Performance evaluation of industrial large-scale cyclone separator with novel vortex finder

This paper presents an experimental and numerical study on an industrial large-scale tangential-inlet cyclone separator with a novel and easy-to-implement vortex finder. The vortex finder was designed with slots on the side wall to improve cyclone performance. The collection efficiency, pressure drop, and interior flow field were analyzed. The proposed device provides an effective gas flow pathway and a coupled swirl-inertia separation mechanism, which eliminates short circuit flows under the bottom inlet of the slotted vortex finder to reduce the swirling intensity and minimize the flow instability in the separator. The pressure drop was reduced up to 27.9% compared to the conventional separator and the maximal increase in collection efficiency was 5.45%. The results presented here may provide a workable reference regarding the effects of vortex finders on improving flow fields and corresponding performance in industrial large-scale cyclone separators.     

旋风分离器减阻杆对流场的影响

在研究发现旋风分离器减阻杆的基础上，研究了减阻杆对流场的影响，发现了减阻杆使切向速度分布趋于平缓、轴向速度上升峰值内移、径向上压力梯度减小、轴向上中心区从逆压梯度变为顺压梯度等重要规律，从而为分析旋风分离器减阻杆的减阻机理提供了依据。同时本文还首次发现旋风分离器入口附近有近２４％的短路流量，提出设法减小这部分短路流量是提高分离效率的一个研究方向。     

Numerical study on the performance of swirl tube based on orthogonal design

Here, an axial flow cyclone separator is design is proposed. The effects of varying the structural parameters and operating conditions on pressure drops and separation efficiency were investigated via a numerical simulation approach. The results show that of the three structural parameters considered, the distance between the diffuser and blade is the most significant factor impacting separation performance compared to the blade pitch and blade shaft diameter. Increasing the distance between conical outlet and blade can decrease its pressure drops and increase separation efficiency; while increasing the shaft diameter can increase pressure drops, and the increasing blade pitch can decrease both the pressure drop and the separation efficiency. The pressure drop of the optimized swirl tube was 102.1 Pa, with a corresponding separation efficiency of 95.04% for 100 μm particles at an extraction ratio of 10%. Further, the cut-off particle size can reach 3 μm, demonstrating that the swirl tube offers good separation performance and has the potential to be widely applied in industrial gas–solid separation applications.     

旋风分离器减阻杆减阻的PIV实验研究

采用先进的PIV实验技术对Stairmand型旋风分离器中安装减阻杆前后的强湍流场进行了测量。通过速度场、湍流强度、Reynolds应力等物理量的对比分析,表明减阻杆降低了中心涡核区的旋转动能和湍流强度。对减阻杆减阻机理进行了更深入的探讨。     

页岩灰与催化裂化催化剂细粉旋风分离性能的对比试验研究

试验测定和对比页岩灰和流化催化裂化三旋灰(FCC三旋灰)的旋风分离器性能,考察入口气速、入口浓度对分离效率和分离器压降的影响.结果表明,在相同操作条件下,同一台旋风分离器上,粒度小于75 μm的页岩灰与FCC三旋灰的分离效率和分离器压降曲线差别显著;页岩灰的分离效率与分离器压降都明显低于FCC三旋灰,且入口浓度增大,页岩灰分离器压降的下降幅度高于FCC三旋灰;页岩灰分离效率最高的入口气流速度也低于FCC三旋灰.颗粒特性对旋风分离器的分离性能有明显影响,页岩灰和三旋灰的颗粒特性与形状差别是导致其旋风分离特性不同的一个基本原因;油页岩旋风分离器的设计应当考虑油页岩颗粒特性的影响.