Comparison of boundary conditions for predicting the collection efficiency of cyclones

Gas-particle flow in three cyclones was numerically modeled using the Eulerian-Lagrangian approach. A tangential lift-off boundary condition was developed and included in the CFD simulations of cyclone performance via a user-defined function. Particles were considered as detached from the surface if they met the criterion of tangential lift-off; otherwise they were captured by the surface. Prediction of the collection efficiency in cyclones was conducted using the three different boundary conditions: (1) bottom trap only; (2) cone and bottom trap; and (3) the tangential lift-off, which is a combination of trap and reflect. Comparison with experimental data in literature indicates that the tangential lift-off boundary condition yields more accurate predictions than other boundary conditions.     

Effect of geometric configuration on the collection efficiency of axial flow cyclones

The particle collection efficiencies of axial flow cyclones with eight different geometric configurations, operated at 50 lpm aerosol flowrate, have been evaluated in this study. The geometric variation of test cyclones includes the optional addition of an upside-down cup, two vortex finder lengths, and two cyclone base shapes. Under various configurations, the cutoff aerodynamic particle size of axial flow cyclones changed from 272 to 448 nm. Our study shows that configuration effects on the collection efficiency of axial flow cyclones are different from those of tangential flow cyclones. The observation of different geometric effects on particle collection by axial and tangential flow cyclones is attributed to the flow pattern difference between cyclones of two types. It is further concluded that the optimal configuration for axial flow cyclones is with an abrupt contraction base, without an upside-down cup and with an increased vortex finder length. A simple model combining the model of Leith and Licht (1972) and the tubing loss in 90° bends at high Reynolds numbers has also been proposed to predict the particle collection efficiency curve of the optimal axial flow cyclone among those tested.     

Flow Pattern and Pressure Drop for Small Long‐Cylinder Cyclones Operating at High Flow Rates

To address the gas flow pattern and pressure drop characteristics for small long‐cylinder cyclones (SLCCs) in the high operating flow rate range, experimental investigation and computational fluid dynamics (CFD)‐based simulation were performed. The pressure drop coefficient depends insignificantly on the Reynolds number at high flow rates. The tangential and axial velocities present the Rankine vortex and the roughly inverted V‐shaped distribution, respectively, similar to those in typical cyclones. The CFD simulation approximated well the experimental data of pressure drop. The pressure drop caused by vortex loss, turbulent energy loss, and resistance loss accounted for 72.5 % of the total pressure drop. The Stairmand model was found to be relatively accurate among the classical pressure drop models for the proposed cyclone. The results may help in the design and applications of cyclone separators and reactors.     

Modelling of the Pressure Drop in Tangential Inlet Cyclone Separators

This article introduces a new mathematical model that predicts the pressure drop in a tangential inlet cyclone. The model calculates the pressure drop from the frictional losses in the cyclone body, using a wall friction coefficient based on the surface roughness and Reynolds number. The entrance and exit losses are also included in the model by defining new geometrical parameters. The pressure drop coefficient is obtained as a function of cyclone dimensions and operating conditions. The model is validated by studying 12 different cyclones presented in the literature. Comparison of the model results with predictions and measurements published in the literature show that the new model predicts the experimental results quite well for a wide range of operating conditions covering a flow rate of 0.3–220 l/s and a temperature range of 293–1200°K, in different cyclones. The pressure drop coefficient is also examined in view of the outlet pipe diameter, friction coefficient, surface roughness, and Reynolds number.     

Numerical Study of Gas Phase Flow in Cyclones with the Repds

Experiments have shown that a cyclone's energy loss can be largely reduced by a stick called a Repds (Reducing Pressure Drop Stick). The present study reports on a three-dimensional numerical simulation performed using FLUENT, a kind of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software. The simulation result confirmed the effectiveness of the Repds in reducing the energy loss. This article compares the numerical results with two sets of experimental results. The numerical calculation shows that the Repds reduces the tangential velocity peak and increases the axial velocity in the central region of the cyclones. The change in the velocity distribution results in the reduction of the energy dissipation in the cyclones.     

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.     

Effects of flow and geometrical parameters on the collection efficiency in cyclone separators

A mathematical model has been developed for calculation of cut-off size and fractional efficiencies in cyclone separators, by taking into account the effects of flow, particle and geometrical parameters, and acceleration assuming that the mixture of fluid and particles is homogenous, and acceleration diminishes depending on the friction and geometry. Collection efficiency curves and cut-off size values predicted by the proposed model showed a good agreement with experiments over a wide range of inlet velocities for different types of cyclones. Comparison of the obtained results with semi empirical models available in literature also indicated that the present model may be used successfully for determination of the performance of a tangential inlet cyclone. Analyses of the effects of various parameters reveals that, in addition to flow and geometrical parameters, surface friction, vortex length and flow regimes play an important role on cyclone performance especially in small cyclones.     

螺旋并联分配管对旋风分离器分离性能的影响

为兼顾高分离精度及大处理量的要求,微小型旋风分离器并联得到越来越多应用。运用离散相模型和实验研究了螺旋并联分配管对旋风分离器分离性能的影响,分析了螺旋分配管分级和改变“序态”特性。结果表明,大颗粒易于从分配管前端出口逸出,依次进入旋风分离器固体颗粒呈现不同粒径分布,总体呈现分级特性;螺旋管对细颗粒物具有改变“序态”作用,进入旋风分离器颗粒粒径呈现外小内大趋势,内部相比外部颗粒浓度更高;内侧大颗粒构成的粒子环促进细小颗粒的去除,从而提高旋风分离器分离效率。实验进一步验证螺旋分配管分级和改变“序态”特性。研究结果对微小型旋风分离器并联设计具有指导意义。     

重介质微型旋流器内切向速度的数值模拟

重介质旋流器在选煤领域中已得到广泛应用。根据硅和碳化硅等不同密度微细颗粒易团聚且难用化学方法分离的特点,本文选用重介质微型旋流器对其进行分离。为探索重介质微型旋流器的流场特性,本文基于CFD软件Fluent对重介质微型旋流器的切向速度场进行了数值模拟研究,考察了介质的密度及黏度对旋流器内切向速度的影响。结果显示,密度不变,黏度增大,切向速度减小,且旋流器直径越小,切向速度减小越快,即旋流强度衰减得越快。虽然黏度不变时密度的增大会导致切向速度的增加,但当密度和黏度按实际重介质溶液同时增大时,黏度对切向速度的影响远大于密度的影响。     

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.     

A CFD study of the effect of cone dimensions on sampling aerocyclones performance and hydrodynamics

This work presents a Computational Fluid Dynamics calculation to evaluate the effects of cone dimensions on the performance, hydrodynamics and centrifugal forces of sampling aerocyclones (gas cyclones). The problem of modeling highly swirling flow is overcome by means of an algebraic turbulence model. The axial and tangential velocities in a cyclone are successfully simulated. The refined mesh on the cyclone cone was also applied to ensure a better prediction on the effect of cone tip diameter to its performance, centrifugal forces and hydrodynamics. The pressure drop, grade efficiency and cut-off size of a cyclone of different cone dimensions was predicted very well with average deviation of about 2.9%, 5% and 2.1% respectively from experimental data presented in the literature. The findings suggest that the higher peak of tangential and axial velocity in a cyclone of a small cone lead to a higher collection efficiency and pressure drop. This helps to assess the benefit of enlarging or reducing the cone of a given cyclone. Results obtained from the computer modeling have demonstrated that CFD is suitable for modeling an effect of cyclone dimension on its performance.     

A universal model to calculate cyclone pressure drop

The definition and composition of the pressure drop over a tangential inlet, reverse flow cyclone have been analyzed. It is assumed that two factors mainly contribute to the pressure drop, i.e., the local loss and the loss along the distance. The former includes the expansion loss at the cyclone inlet and the contraction loss at the entrance of the outlet tube (or vortex finder). The latter consists of the swirling loss resulting from friction at the cyclone walls and the dissipation of gas dynamic energy in the outlet tube. By use of the measured results of the flow field in cyclones, the calculation methods for each loss have been developed. And a universal model to predict the cyclone pressure drop is thus obtained simply by summing each loss. A detailed comparison between the calculated and experimental results shows that this accurate model is suitable either for pure or for dust laden gases at normal or high temperatures and can meet the requirement of most cyclone designs.     

Study on morphology and orientation of cellulose in the vascular bundle of wheat straw

Morphology and orientation of cellulose in the vessels of vascular bundles of wheat straw were studied. The results indicated that cellulose acts as the framework in the vascular bundles and cellulose chains are high in orientation. In the thickening part of the vessels, cellulose exists in the form of cellulose crystalline lamellae but not cellulose microfibrils. The crystalline lamellae are perpendicular to the tangential direction of annular rings and incline clockwise with an angle of about 30-40° to the tangential direction of the spiral line in the spiral vessels. A model of the arrangement of cellulose chains in the vascular bundles was proposed.     

Effects of Flow Parameters and Inlet Geometry on Cyclone Efficiency

A novel cyclone design, named converging symmetrical spiral inlet (CSSI) cyclone, is developed by improving the inlet geometry of conventional tangential single inlet (CTSI) cyclone for enhancing the physical performance of the cyclone. The collection efficiency of the CSSI cyclone is experimentally compared with the widely used CTSI cyclone. The results indicate that the CSSI cyclone provides higher collection efficiency by 5%~20% than that of the CTSI cyclone for a tested inlet velocity range of 11.99~23.85 m/s. In addition, the results of collection efficiency comparison between experimental data and theoretical model are also discussed.     

超短接触旋流反应器混合腔内气固混合特性的数值模拟

采用欧拉双流体模型对超短接触旋流反应器内的气固两相流场进行了数值模拟,主要研究了混合腔内固相的体积分数分布情况。计算结果表明：混合腔内的气流在切向进气的作用下得到了一定的混合加速效果,切向的高速射流有效地缩短了气固停留时间,保证短接触反应效果。通过对两种不同混合腔结构反应器的对比计算发现,在相同入口速度条件下结构2（切向进气管位于混合腔顶部）较结构1（切向进气管位于混合腔下部）气固停留时间短,由于切向气流的迅速作用,增加了混合腔内的湍动强度,使催化剂颗粒迅速有效扩散、增强气固接触效果而更有利于催化裂化反应的进行,更易实现短接触操作要求。计算结果与实验测量结果的比较表明模型能有效地描述超短接触旋流反应器内气固两相流动形态。     

排气管偏置分离器分离性能的数值模拟

采用雷诺应力模型（Reynolds stress model,RSM）对旋风分离器排气管中置和偏置时的气相流场进行了数值模拟,并用拉格朗日法模拟了分离器内颗粒的运动轨迹。气相流场模拟结果与实验结果吻合得较好。结果表明：排气管偏置后,分离器内沿排气管偏置方向的切向速度有所提高,排气管下部短路流较小,颗粒离心运动更加强烈,提高了分离效率的同时压降变化不大,分离器经济性更好。     

除油型旋流器压降比特性试验研究

在室内试验装置上对单锥除油型水力旋流器的压降比特性进行了试验研究。研究结果表明 ,除油型旋流器压降比的主要影响因素有分流比、入口流量和溢流背压等操作参数 ;溢流背压对压降比的影响存在一“门槛值”。根据试验结果 ,建立了除油型水力旋流器压降比的半经验计算模型     

自转螺旋扭带管内湍流特性研究

应用激光测速仪LDV(Laser Doppler Velocimeter)对自转塑料螺旋扭带管的湍流特性进行了实验研究。结果表明：与普通光管内流体的流动相比,自转塑料螺旋扭带管内流体的湍流特性发生了根本性的变化：流体在自转塑料螺旋扭带的带动下,呈螺旋流动,而且在近管壁环形区域内流体的轴向分速度明显比管中心区域的高,提高幅度为25％左右,轴向湍流度比无自转扭带的大,提高幅度为68％左右;切向分速度随半径的增大而增大,而且切向湍流度很大,比轴向湍流度大10倍左右。流体的这些湍流特性的测得为自转塑料螺旋扭带管内对流传热强化机理的深入理论研究提供了实验支持。     

Flow visualisation and velocity measurements in a vertical spindle coal mill static classifier☆

The aerodynamics within a reduced scale model of a vertical spindle coal mill static classifier are investigated to provide data for improving classifier particle separation predictions and the validation of computational simulations. Quantitative data for these purposes was obtained by measuring velocities using three-dimensional Laser Doppler Anemometry. Flow visualisation was also used to provide qualitative understanding. The results demonstrate that the flow in the main classifier volume closely resembles that reported in the literature for cyclones. However, the flow in the upper section of the classifier is highly three-dimensional. The effect of varying the inlet vane angle, within the range of industrially useful vane angles, is shown to principally only affect the tangential velocity magnitude.