Numerical Simulation of Air Flow inside Acoustic Cyclone Separator

Abstract

This paper presents a novel concept of cyclone separator, where sound waves are used to agglomerate fine particles. Sound waves generated by Hartmann acoustic generator are introduced into the secondary (core) air flow of cyclone separator. Results of numerical simulation of air flows inside conventional and acoustic cyclone separators are presented. It is shown that intensive pressure pulsations occur in acoustic generator's reflector. These pulsations generate an acoustic field. It is experimentally established that the average separation efficiency of conventional cyclone separator reaches 87.2% only, while separation efficiency of acoustic cyclone separator is approximately 97.5%. Obtained results show that air flows inside cyclone separator can be investigated numerically.