Study of a novel uniflow cyclone design

A 5 cm diameter scale-down model of a new uniflow cyclone for the ultra-rapid fluidized (URF) reactor with a gas residence time under 20 milliseconds has been tested at high solids loading (5/1 wt. solids/wt. gas) under cold modeling conditions. The body length, gas exit diameter and amount of gas withdrawn with the existing solids (gas underflow) were varied to obtain high separation efficiency (over 99.9%). Silica sand of 55 and 105 micrometer Sauter mean diameter was used. Grade efficiency curves were determined for several specific configurations to get a deeper understanding of the mechanisms influencing the separation.     

Analytical Approach for Calculating the Separation Efficiency of Uniflow Cyclones

An approach for calculating the separation efficiency of uniflow cyclones for the separation of solid particles from gases is proposed. The analytical model is based on an equilibrium orbit concept, similar to that used in the Barth‐Muschelknautz model for conventional reverse‐flow cyclones, which has been proven to be successful for designing and calculating cyclones in a wide range of industrial applications. The proposed model takes into account the special flow pattern of uniflow cyclones, which differs substantially from that in reverse‐flow cyclones. The model provides correct dependencies of the separation efficiency on the main geometry and operation data of low‐loaded uniflow cyclones. Applying the calculation method to uniflow cyclones operated in test facilities indicates good agreement with experimental data.     

Study of the gas circulation patterns in a uniflow cyclone

A uniflow cyclone is being studied to achieve the separation of hot solids from the gaseous products of ultra-rapid fluidized (URF) processes. An experimental method with hot wire probes was developed to study the gas flow around the gas outlet, where the solids exit. The vortex penetration in the solids exit could be determined. The presence of solids greatly reduced the vortex penetration in the uniflow cyclone. Restricting gas circulation around the gas outlet dramatically impaired the cyclone collection efficiency. Therefore, good cyclone performance requires a proper design below the gas outlet.     

不同入口形式的固液分离旋流器壁面磨损研究

基于计算流体力学(CFD)软件Fluent中的颗粒随机轨道模型(DPM),对两种入口形式的固液分离旋流器的壁面磨损进行数值模拟的比较,结果表明:单入口式固液分离旋流器顶板的最大磨损位于方位角140°~210°,环形空间壁面最大磨损位于方位角120°和190°,底流口附近壁面最大磨损在周向方向180°的底流口上方1~2mm位置;双入口式旋流器的壁面磨损呈对称分布,最大磨损在底流口位置,顶板壁面最大磨损在两个入口区域,顶板外层最大磨损位于方位角80°~110°和260°~290°,环形空间壁面最大磨损位于方位角120°和300°;相同条件下,双入口式旋流器顶板和环形空间的壁面磨损小于单入口式旋流器顶板和环形空间的壁面磨损;而对于底流口附近的壁面磨损,双入口式固液分离旋流器底流口附近的壁面磨损略大。     

Development of a symmetrical spiral inlet to improve cyclone separator performance

Three cyclone separators with different inlet geometry were designed, which include a conventional tangential single inlet (CTSI), a direct symmetrical spiral inlet (DSSI), and a converging symmetrical spiral inlet (CSSI). The effects of inlet type on cyclone performance characteristics, including the collection efficiency and pressure drop, were investigated and compared as a function of particle size and flow rate in this paper. Experimental result indicated that the symmetrical spiral inlet (SSI), especially CSSI inlet geometry, has effect on significantly increasing collection efficiency with insignificantly increasing pressure drop. In addition, the results of collection efficiency and pressure drop comparison between the experimental data and the theoretical model were also involved.     

天然气脱蜡旋风分离器分离效率的模拟

旋风分离器分离效率高,不易堵塞,用于天然气脱蜡效果显著。通过CFD软件Fluent模拟CYG-S型天然气脱蜡旋风分离器的两相流场,得到了旋风分离器内的压力、切向速度、轴向速度分布。对比了不同入口速度下的模拟与理论计算的分割粒径x50,发现具有很好的吻合度,两相模拟有一定的可靠性。结果表明：在旋风分离器锥段底部靠近壁面处的石蜡液滴质量浓度较高;随着进口流量的增加,旋风分离器分离效率提高,当进口流量为1000 m3/h时,x50可以达到5.3 μm;大粒径液滴的分离效果明显,但在所研究的进口流量范围内,进口流量的变化不能明显地影响粒径小于5 μm液滴的分离效率;柱段和锥段长度的增加使得旋风分离器的整体长度增加,延长了液滴在旋风分离器内的停留时间,提高了旋风分离器的分离效率。     

Study on the floatation mechanism and floatation performance for the floatation cyclone of natural inlet air

A novel structure floatation cyclone of natural inlet air has been designed, and its structural characteristics and floatation principle have been analyzed. The velocity and pressure distributions within the flow field of the floatation cyclone have been studied by Navier-Stokes equations. Based on the flow characteristics of the mixture of fine coal and water, reasonable boundary conditions are decided and the equations are modified, so that the final equations can describe the real flow state of the flow field of the floatation cyclone. The boundary surface position between float coal and tailings is determined and there is an air cylinder in the central region of the floatation cyclone. The research reveals the floatation mechanism of the floatation cyclone. The floatation results can be greatly improved by regulating the structural dimensions of cyclone. The experimental results show that the floatation cyclone is very effective for the floatation of fine coal grains.     

Effect of inlet area on the performance of a two-stage cyclone separator

The cyclone separator is an important separation device. This paper presents a new type of embedded two-stage cyclone, which includes a 2nd-stage cyclone (internal traditional cyclone) with multiple inlets and a 1st-stage cyclone (outer cylinder) that unifies the 2nd-stage cyclone inlets into one inlet. The Taguchi experimental method was used to study the two-stage cyclone separator's inlet area on its performance. Studies have shown that the increase of the 1st-stage cyclone inlet area and the increase in the number of 2nd-stage cyclone inlets (N) positively affect reducing the pressure drop and a negative effect on efficiency. It is recommended to use 2S (the original 1st-stage cyclone inlet area) of the 1st-stage cyclone inlet area and 2N of the 2nd-stage cyclone inlets when separating fine particles. Compared with a traditional cyclone, the pressure drop is reduced by 1303 Pa, the mass separation efficiency (E_q) is increased by 0.56%, and the number separation efficiency (E_n) is increased by 2.05%. When separating larger particles, it is recommended to use 2S of the 1st-stage cyclone inlet area and 4N of the 2nd-stage cyclone inlets. Compared with a traditional cyclone, although E_n decreases slightly, the pressure drop is reduced by 3055 Pa, and the E_q is increased by 0.56%. The research results provide new insight into the design of the cyclone.     

旋风分离器入口形式对内流场非稳态特性的影响

旋进涡核（PVC）现象会削弱旋风分离器对细颗粒的捕集效率。利用数值模拟方法研究纯气相流场中涡核的运动频率和偏心程度。结果表明：随着蜗壳包角的增大,排尘口截面涡核的运动频率和偏心程度都逐渐减小,PVC现象被削弱,蜗壳包角大于270°以后,纯气相流场中的PVC现象基本消失。入口切进度对排尘口截面涡核运动特性的影响会因蜗壳包角而有所不同。相比于入口结构的对称性,涡核偏心程度与下行气流的能量损失相关性更强。下行气流的能量损失越多,下行期间汇入内旋流的气流能量越高,内旋上行气流受到的横向扰动越大,汇入气流的能量超过某一阈值后,引发涡核摆动。而涡核旋转频率受下行气流能量损失的影响则较小。     

Development of a new high‐efficiency simple structure cyclone

A novel uniflow cyclone design was evaluated using three prototype cyclones. For the first two, the efficiency and Euler number were determined using airborne solid particles with a number mean diameter of 12.5 µm. Then a larger scale prototype based on the optimized geometry was compared with an existing conventional high efficiency cyclone and a vane‐induced uniflow cyclone, using mineral oil droplets with a number mean diameter of 8.9 µm. Both sets of experiments showed that the newly designed cyclone had a higher efficiency at a higher pressure requirement, in addition to the feature of a small footprint.     

不同进出风方式对旋风筒主要性能参数的影响

针对旋风筒内存在的局部二次涡流,对传统的旋风筒做了几种形式的改进,通过冷态模型试验,研究了不同进出风方式对旋风筒的压力损失、分离效率和切割粒径等主要性能参数的影响,为开发新型旋风筒提供了参考。     

下料管处漏风导致旋风筒分离效率降低幅度的影响因素研究

对因下料管处漏风导致旋风筒分离效率降低幅度变化的各种影响因素进行了试验研究。研究结果对于改进膨胀仓调整翻板阀安装位置小下料管处漏我导致旋风筒分离效率降低幅度,从而提高实际生产过程中旋风筒的分离效率具有指导意义。     

Characteristics of the collection efficiency for a double inlet cyclone with clean air

Two single inlet cyclones and a double inlet cyclone were designed and fabricated to evaluate, and compare, their collection efficiencies. Two single inlet cyclones had different inlet sizes and vortex finder diameters. The double inlet cyclone had two inlet parts that divided the cyclone inlet in two. Clean air was introduced to the inlet near the cyclone wall, and particle-laden air was introduced to the inlet away from the cyclone wall. This double inlet made the clean air swirl in the region near the vortex finder, and the particle-laden air swirl in the region close to cyclone wall. The performance of the double inlet cyclone was evaluated at various clean air flow rates, keeping the particle-laden air flow rate constant.The collection efficiency of the double inlet cyclone was found to be 5–15% greater than that of the single inlet cyclone with the same inlet size and vortex finder diameter. As the flow rate of clean air was increased, the collection efficiency increased. This result indicates the possibility of achieving higher collection efficiencies with a double inlet cyclone.     

无压给料三产品重介质旋流器内物料切向速度对分选效果的影响

在无压给料三产品重介质旋流器分选过程中,由于物料的切向速度可能会滞后于重悬浮液的切向速度,致使精煤受矸石污染;为此提出了防止原料煤结团、提高入料切向速度、设置布料锥等解决措施;同时分析了工作压力和给料量对精煤带矸的影响。     

旋风分离器分离性能的数值模拟与分析

以XLPB-5.0和XCX-5.0两种旋风分离器为原型,采用CFD软件对这两种旋风分离器进行了流场与分离效率的数值模拟,初步探讨了入口蜗壳形式与芯管结构对分离效率的影响。模拟结果显示:旋风分离器内流场呈各向异性分布特点,切向速度是影响分离效率的首要因素,径向速度的存在会造成"流场短路"现象,使轴向速度呈不对称分布,导致分离效率的降低。轴向速度与径向速度的共同作用促使颗粒在旋风分离器内做螺旋运动;XLPB-5.0和XCX-5.0的分离效率分别为92.55%和94.96%,与实验结果基本吻合,且不同芯管参数下XCX型的分离效率比XLPB型高;螺旋式入口蜗壳(XCX-5.0型)对旋风分离器上部流场的影响相比直流式入口蜗壳(XLPB-5.0型)复杂;对于两种旋风分离器,随着芯管直径的增大,分离效率逐渐变小;随着芯管深度的增大,分离效率先增大后减小。     

The Effect Of the dust collection system on the flowpattern and separation efficiency of a gas cyclone

The influence of the presence of a hopper section, consisting of a dust hopper and swirl attenuator, under gas–solid cyclones has been investigated by numerical simulation. Inclusion of this configuration in the simulations was found to have a significant influence on both flowpattern and separation efficiency. Moreover, predicted axial gas velocity profiles agreed better with independent experimental measurements. The cyclone separation was predicted to be better with the hopper section included than without, a physical reason is proposed. Comparison of simulated grade-efficiency curves with experimental data indicates improved agreement, in some cases substantially so.     

Analysis of particle trajectories in a quick-contact cyclone reactor using a discrete phase model

The Eulerian–Lagrangian approach with a discrete phase model (DPM) is used to investigate the motion trajectories of the particles at the range of 1–50 μm in the quick-contact cyclone reactor, in which the cracking reactions and the separations of catalysts and products can occur respectively and simultaneously. The results show that the typical motion trajectories of the particles in the quick-contact cyclone reactor can be described as three types: trapping, escaping and dust ring. The first typical motion of particles corresponds to the particles successfully separated from the gas flow, while the other two types can lead to more coking and erosion in the reactor. Moreover, a pre-vortex flow is observed in the mixing-reaction chamber. Additionally, the grade separation efficiency of each particle size is also obtained by counting the numbers of escaping and capturing particles. The particles with diameter larger than 10 μm are separated completely from the gas. The reactor also has a strong capability to trap the particles of small diameters (5 μm <d_p<10 μm). Both results indicate that the separation efficiency of the reactor has met the requirement as a primary separator. Compared with the experimental results, the separation efficiency in the simulated method is higher than 98% with errors of no more than 1.31%. It is illustrated that separation efficiency of the reactor can be predicted by CFD simulation.     

3-D computational fluid dynamics for gas and gas-particle flows in a cyclone with different inlet section angles

A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) Reynolds stress model (RSM) was used to describe the gas and gas-solid flow in a cyclone with a scroll inlet duct at three different inlet section angles in relation to the cyclone body. The effects of the inlet section angles on the fluid dynamics inside the cyclone and on the performance parameters (collection efficiency and pressure drop) were analyzed by means of the finite volume method using a computational code and an industrial-sized cyclone for separation of gas-particle phases operated by Votorantim Cimentos Company. The numerical results show that the value for overall collection efficiency in this work increased to 77.2% for the 45° inlet section angle, while that for the normal inlet duct was 54.4% under the same operating conditions.     

重介质旋流器分选工艺参数分析

通过对旋流器内的物料进行受力分析,介绍了重介质旋流器的分选原理及悬浮液的配置方案;从旋流器结构参数、选前是否脱泥、入料压力控制及给料方式等方面论述了影响重介质旋流器分选效果的因素。     

Overall mass transfer in the swirling flow induced by a tangential inlet between coaxial cones

An electrochemical method is used to measure mass transfer coefficients between an electrolytic solution and the inner core of a system formed by stationary coaxial cones of the same apex angle. A swirling decaying flow is induced by means of a tangential inlet at the system base. The average mass transfer coefficients are measured at three axial positions from the tangential inlet for both laminar and turbulent flow regimes. Pressure drops between the inlet and the outlet of the experimental device are also investigated. Flow visualization revealed the existence of axially fixed toroidal vortices. The overall mass transfer coefficients along the conical gap are found to be greater than those measured in annular swirling decaying flow for the same values of the annular gap thickness, of the tangential inlet diameter and of the Reynolds number based on the mean axial velocity at the bottom of the conical gap. The enhancement in mass transfer, up to 50% compared with that measured in a cylindrical arrangement, is not counter-balanced by an increase in pressure drop, which remains of the same order of magnitude as that measured in a classical annular configuration.