Effects of the inlet particle spatial distribution on the performance of a gas-solid cyclone separator

Abstract

The present study was aimed at the inlet particle spatial distribution of a gas-solid separator with high solid loading and investigated its effects on cyclone performance and the inner flow pattern. The flow fields of a cyclone with different rectangular particle flow areas on the inlet surface were numerically simulated using a four-way coupling method. The simulated results indicate that reducing the inlet particle flow area and lowing the inlet particle position can effectively reduce the scattered particles inside the cyclone separator and enhance the separation performance. Vertically gathering the particles to the centerline can also weaken the particle back-mixing. The particles near the roof account for the swirling particle ceiling phenomenon. The inlet particle spatial distribution affects the pressure drop mainly by affecting the gas tangential velocity in the cylinder body. Moreover, compared to the horizontal particle distribution on the inlet surface, the vertical particle distribution has greater effects on cyclone performance.