Effects of multi inlet guide channels on the performance of a cyclone separator

Abstract

Widely usage of cyclone separator, especially in industries, makes it not only one of the most interesting subject of papers nowadays, but research and development of it should follow necessarily. The unusual design of this cyclone makes it more useful and functional. This design causes to form a strong vortex flow in the cyclone, which increases the centrifugal force acting on each particle separately, increases the collection efficiency as well as decrease the cut-off diameter. So, simulation of the turbulent 3D flow has been done with the finite volume method and RSM turbulence model. The major contribution of the total cyclone pressure drop has occurred in the upper section of cyclone and guide channels, which increase the entered velocity to the main body of the cyclone. The results represent a uniform distribution of static pressure patterns at cyclone heights for each velocity as well as a uniform flow field pattern in the cyclone. In comparison with usual cyclones, because of the special design of inlet guide channels, not only the entrance velocity of flow to the main cyclone body has been increased, but the inappropriate moving of flow after the entrance to the main body toward the cyclone's top section doesn't occur. The cut-off diameter reduced by 0.2 μm in comparison with the usual cyclone separator. With 20% increasing in the inlet velocity, the maximum static pressure in all sections increases by approximately 41%, while the 20% reduction in the inlet velocity, reduces the maximum static pressure in all sections by 55% to 58%. A 20% increase in velocity compared to the initial velocity of 8.809 m/s, reducing the cut-off diameter to approximately 0.6 μm. A 20% decrease in inlet velocity, the separation efficiency is reduced in general and increases the cut-off diameter to 0.9 μm. The Stokes number smaller than 1, should be expressed as an appropriate criterion to select between two main aspects of Eulerian-Lagrangian and Eulerian- Eulerian approach. Reducing the inlet velocity amplifies the assumption of the Eulerian-Lagrangian aspect instead of the Eulerian- Eulerian approach. About the Euler number, the 20% increasing the inlet velocity has increased the pressure drop in the cyclone, but the inlet velocity seems to be more effective on the flow kinetic energy rather than an influence on the pressure drop.