Cyclic Flow Experiments of a Fine Particle Separation Hydrocyclone

Abstract

Basic separating principle of hydrocyclones and the cyclic experimental research facilities are introduced. The difficulty of separating fine particle is described. Based on a solid-liquid hydrocyclone used for separating fine particles, effect of cyclic flow condition on hydrocyclone’s performance is studied. Effects of cyclic period ratio, cyclic flowrate amplitude ratio, Reynolds number, gas liquid ratio, and the cyclical signal type on the hydrocyclone’s fine particle separation performance, especially on relative overflow purifying rate were studied in detail. The results show that the separation efficiency of the hydrocyclone operated under cyclic flow condition can be higher than that in steady condition, when the cyclic period ratio is about 0.68 and the cyclic flowrate amplitude ratio is about 2%. Rectangular wave seems to be the best cyclic signal for enhancing the hydrocyclone’s separation efficiency. The cyclical change of flowrate leads to the increasing of hydrocyclone’s energy consumption to some extent, while the increasing amount is very less, which is no more than 3% in general.