Effect of the operation temperature on the hydrodynamics and performances of a cyclone separator

Abstract

• Effects of temperature on cyclone performances are studied by CFD. • The separation efficiency decreases and quality improves at higher temperatures. • A large drag force to centrifugal force ratio is needed for escape: larger than 10 4 . • The flow field determines submicron particle separation if the ratio is 10 1 to 10 3 . • Locus of zero vertical velocity and turbulence intensity relate to particle capture. The effect of the operation temperature on the cyclone hydrodynamics and performances is numerically investigated by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). When increasing the temperature, the separation efficiency decreases and the separation quality improves due to the weakened double layer swirling flow structure. The radial drag and centrifugal forces exerted on 0.1 μm and 1 μm particles are recorded. A large radial drag force to centrifugal force ratio is required for escape: a ratio larger than 10 4 . When the radial drag force to centrifugal force ratio is in the range of 10 1 to 10 3 , it is the temperature-dependent flow field which determines the submicron particle separation. While the locus of gas zero vertical velocity is closely related to the particle’s separation, the gas turbulence intensity distribution also contributes the capture of the particles.