Experimental and numerical performance study of a downward dual-inlet gas-liquid cylindrical cyclone (GLCC)

Abstract

The overflow of liquid film in the upper cylinder of gas–liquid cylindrical cyclone (GLCC) is the main reason for poor liquid efficiency. Liquid film formation is directly related to the flow pattern in the inlet pipe and the short-circuit flow at the inlet nozzle. Aiming to improve GLCC performance, a type of dual-inlet GLCC with a downward branch inlet was designed and examined. With a conventional single-inlet GLCC for comparison, experimental study and numerical simulations were conducted on flow patterns of liquid film and separation efficiencies of the dual-inlet GLCC. The results showed that the dual-inlet configuration had a split-flow effect, which guided most of the feed liquid to the lower GLCC cylinder through the lower inlet, hence improving pre-separation and inhibiting the short-circuit flow of the upper inlet. This effect consequently reduced the liquid entering the upper GLCC cylinder and, therefore, expanded the operational envelope.