Modeling Foam Breakup in Batch Separators and Cylindrical Cyclones

Abstract

Summary Models are developed for foam breakup in a batch separator, as well as inlet–cyclone and gas/liquid–cylindrical–cyclone (GLCC) compact separators, by improving the Saint–Jalmes et al. (2000) “1–g” foam–batch–separator model. The modified batch–separator model shows a better performance with respect to experimental data than does the original model. An extension of the modified “1–g” foam–batch–separator model to swirling foam flow in cyclones is developed, which accounts for the effect of higher g–forces in the cyclones. The extended model accurately predicts experimental foam–breakup data for both the inlet–cyclone and the GLCC compact separators.