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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Influence of inlet angle on flow pattern and performance of gas-liquid cylindrical cyclone separator

Gas-liquid cylindrical cyclone (GLCC) separator is widely used in the petroleum industry with potential field applications. Its performance is strongly influenced by the inlet configuration. The 27° optimal inclined inlet angle has been experimentally observed for GLCC with the same diameter of body and inlet. For other GLCCs, the effect of inlet angle on flow pattern and their performances have not been investigated. The main target of the current study is to deeply understand the changes of flow pattern with respect to different inclined angles and flow conditions. Twelve GLCCs with different inclined angles were numerically investigated by using the Reynold stress turbulence model to predict the flow pattern with GLCC. The distribution of radial, axial, and tangential velocity profiles and their maximum magnitudes with respect to the change of inlet angle were carefully considered in this study.     

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。     

Study and optimization of flow field in a novel cyclone separator with inner cylinder

This paper presents a study of gas-solid flow in a novel cyclone separator with inner cylinder, compared with that in a conventional cyclone. The Reynolds stress model (RSM) is used to simulate fluid flow, and the discrete phase model (DPM) is selected to describe the motion behavior of particles. The experimental data measured by particle image velocimetry (PIV) is used to verify the reliability of the numerical model. The results show that in the novel cyclone, the cleaned gas can be quickly discharged from the vortex finder, the movement distance and residence time of fine particles are prolonged, the short-circuit flow and vertical vortex under the vortex finder are eliminated, the mutual interference between upflow and downflow in the cylinder is eliminated, and the region of quasi-free vortex in the cone is enlarged. Compared with the conventional cyclone, the novel cyclone has higher collection efficiency and lower pressure drop.     

高温高压旋风分离器流场模拟及性能试验

提出一种圆形径向进口、筒体段扩径的拱顶旋风分离器新结构;并与PV型分离器进行了流场和分离性能对比。结果表明:在相同处理气量下,新型分离器外旋流区切向速度显著大于PV型,中心涡核区轴向速度小于PV型;用中位粒径为9μm的滑石粉进行冷模试验,新型旋风分离器分离效率比PV型高约1%;新型旋风分离器结构强度和分离性能优良,适合高温、高压的工况下应用。     

旋转直流内循环式旋风分离器流场测定与分析(Ⅰ)

采用五孔探针测试技术及相应的计算机数据采集与处理系统，测定了旋转直流内循环式旋风分离器的三维流场分布。对所测流场分4个区域进行了分析讨论，并对内循环气量进行了衡算。结果表明该新型旋风分离器设计合理，结构有利于气流中颗粒的分离。     

Parametric analysis and optimization of gas-particle flow through axial cyclone separator: A numerical study

The separation of particles through an axial swirl tube cyclone separator is numerically investigated using Eulerian-Lagrangian approach by solving Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes equations with RNG K-epsilon model as turbulence closure and Discrete phase modeling (DPM) of particles. The four significant geometric parameters in an axial swirl tube cyclone separator for improving the performance are identified to be blade angle, blade length, blade-tube distance and number of blades. The impact of these parameters on the output parameters of a cyclone separator, is studied through numerical analysis with the open source CFD solver OpenFOAM. A one factor analysis is performed to understand the individual contributions of the parameters and a multiobjective optimisation is done using the Design of Experiments (DoE) approach. The blade length was found to be the most sensitive parameter whereas the blade tube distance had the least effect. Using statistical methods such as Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Multi Objective Genetic algorithm (MOGA), a set of Pareto optimum solutions are generated, with an effective trade off between the pressure drop and filtration efficiency. The configurations obtained after optimisation are validated with CFD simulations and found to be having a better overall performance as compared to the conventional configuration.     

Effects of helical fins on the performance of a cyclone separator: A numerical study

This study aimed to investigate the separation performance of a cyclone separator after reshaping its cylindrical body by installing the helical triangular fins. A numerical simulation based on Fluent was adopted to perform an orthogonal test to optimise the structure of the cyclone separator with helical triangular fins. Three structural parameters of the helical triangular fins were selected as optimisation variables: base width, fin size, and fin pitch, and their influences on the evaluation indices of the cut-off diameter were investigated. The optimal combination scheme was determined by range analysis, and the cyclone separator performances before and after optimisation were compared and analysed. The significant influence of the structural parameters on the cut-off diameter was in descending order as the fin pitch, fin size, and base width. For particles with diameter of 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 μm, the separation efficiency of the cyclone separator with optimized helical triangular fins increased by 7.4 %, 15.9 %, 20.1 %, 10.9 % and 14.8 % respectively. Moreover, the cut-off diameter of the finned cyclone separator is reduced by 30.7 %, while the pressure drop is only increased by 6.6 %. The short circuit flow and back-mixing were alleviated, thereby considerably enhancing the stability of the flow field. Therefore, the finned cyclone separator was found to play a critical role in increasing the separation of fine particulate matter.     

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.     

高效、低阻分离器入口结构改进及测试分析

为了改进旋风分离器的分级除尘效率和压力损失等性能指标,通过对SLK型高效低阻分离器的分级过程和不同入口形式的旋风分离的颗粒切向速度和沉降速度的分析计算,重点研究SLK型分离器入口形式对旋风分离器内气流速度的影响及其对分级除尘效率和压力损失的影响,通过试制SLK样机并利用粉煤灰进行测试分析,定性验证SLK型分离器高效低阻的性能特点。结果表明:该分离器能获得较高的分离效率,并且压力损失比同型号分离器减小100～400Pa。     

一种新型的旋风分离器

介绍了旋风除尘器的一种新的改进方法,即在旋风除尘器的排气管处加二次流,通过控制二次流的大小及进风方向,可以改变旋风分离器内部流场分布,从而减少上灰环和短路流的产生,提高旋风除尘器的分离效率,尤其是提高其对微细粉尘的分离能力。     

Development of a miniature cyclone separator operating at low Reynolds numbers as a pre-separator for portable black carbon monitors

In this study, a cyclone separator that can be used as a sampling inlet for portable black carbon (BC) monitors operating at a flow rate of less than 200 mL/min was developed. A prototype was fabricated to evaluate its performance by experiments, and the cut-off size of the cyclone separator was predicted through numerical analysis by applying various turbulence models. The RNG k–ε model was found to be suitable for the analysis of the cyclone separator operating at Reynolds numbers of less than 1000. Cyclone separators were designed through simulation and fabricated for each operating flow rate (50, 100, 150, and 200 mL/min) of a BC monitor, and their performances were experimentally verified. Meanwhile, when the non-dimensional analysis method of the previous study conducted at Reynolds numbers of 1000 or higher was used, the cyclone separator operating at Reynolds numbers of less than 1000 also exhibited a similar linear tendency.     

The effect of magnetic field on the performance of new design cyclone separators

In this paper it is attempted to improve the performance of the gas–solid new design cyclones with imposing magnetic fields. First, Eulerian-Lagrangian method is used to model the flow and to track the solid particles within the new design cyclones. The Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes equations with Reynolds stress turbulence model (RSM) are solved by use of the finite volume method based on the SIMPLE pressure correction algorithm in the computational domain. The velocity fluctuations are simulated using the Discrete Random Walk (DRW). Then, to investigate the possible influence of the magnetic field, horizontal and vertical distances of the magnetic source from the coordinate origin as influential parameters are investigated. Solid particles with three different diameters and with different materials including polystyrene, ferrous and nickel are used. Results show that applying a magnetic field can improve the collection efficiency for all different particles’ materials. Analysis of results proves that there is a strong correlation between cyclone performances. It is observed that the collection efficiency is very sensitive to vertical distance of the magnetic source from the origin. Moreover, providing higher efficiency without imposing pressure drop is the advantage of implication of a magnetic field.     

Performance evaluation of a new micro gas cyclone using simulation and experimental studies to capture indoor fine particles

The aim of this study was evaluating a micro gas cyclone performance with a body diameter of 10?mm to collect indoor fine particles. The design of a cyclone requires minimizing the pressure drop and maximizing the separation efficiency. Overall and grade efficiencies, pressure drops, and cut sizes have been investigated through a theoretical model, simulation, and experimental studies. The experimental part was conducted using an Electrical Low-Pressure Impactor (ELPI) device to measure particle concentration for flow rates of 10–13.3 (l/min). In order to study the pressure drop and velocity behavior for different flow rates, COMSOL software was utilized. The obtained results from experimental work have met the theoretical and simulation outcomes adequately. It has been confirmed by all the obtained results that by increasing the flow rate and subsequently inlet velocity, the particle collection efficiency and pressure drop increase while the cut size decreases.     

旋风分离器两相流研究综述

综述了旋风分离器内部流场、颗粒运动和数值计算模型的理论研究发展历程。