Numerical simulation of strongly swirling turbulent flows in a liquid-liquid hydrocyclone using the Reynolds stress transport equation model

The Reynolds stress transport equation model (DSM) is used to predict the strongly swirling turbulent flows in a liquid-liquid hydrocyclone, and the predictions are compared with LDV measurements . Predictions properly give the flow behavior observed in experiments, such as the Rankine-vortex structure and double peaks near the inlet region in tangential velocity profile, the downward flow near the wall and upward flow near the core in axial velocity profiles. In the inlet or upstream region of the hydrocyclone, the reverse flow near the axis is well predicted, but in the region with smaller cone angle and cylindrical section, there are some discrepancies between the model predictions and the LDV measurements. Predictions show that the pressure is small in the near-axis region and increases to the maximum near the wall. Both predictions and measurements indicate that the turbulence in hydrocy-clones is inhomogeneous and anisotropic.