Characteristic Study of Bi-Cone Solid-Liquid Separation Hydrocyclones Based on Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis

Abstract

Numerical simulation of the bi-cone solid-liquid separation hydrocyclones based on Reynolds Stress Model (RSM) is carried out by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis. Re-circulation flow and short-circuit flow phenomena are indicated by simulating results, and distribution rule of axial velocity, radial velocity and tangential velocity of the flow field inside hydrocyclone are obtained. Some of the simulation results are qualitatively in accordance with the Laser Doppler Anemometer (LDA) measuring data, which proves the correctness of turbulence model and computational method. Moreover, the wall erosion problem of the hydrocyclones is also studied. The positions of erosion, which include tangential inlets, boundary of cylinder and large cone section, and the boundary of large cone section and fine cone section, are analyzed and recognized, based on Discrete Phase Model (DPM). Erosion of the revised hydrocyclone is obviously improved and the separation efficiency is enhanced by CFD analysis. At the same time, characteristic of pressure was analyzed.