Numerical Visualization of Fluid Flow and Filtration Efficiency in Centrifugal Oil Purifier

Abstract

The centrifugal oil purifier is used in ships for purifying the engine lubrication oil. The momentum needed for the rotation of the cylindrical chamber is obtained by jet injections. The dust particles in the oil are separated by the centrifugal forces moving to the inner wall of the rotating cylindrical chamber body. The dust particles are eliminated when the particles are adsorbed onto the surface of the inner wall of the chamber body. The flow characteristics and the physical behaviours of particles in this centrifugal oil purifier have been investigated numerically and the filtration efficiencies have been evaluated. For the calculations, a commercial code has been used and the SST k-ω turbulence model has been adopted. The MRF (Multiple Reference Frame) method has been introduced to consider the rotating effect of the flows. Under various variables, such as particle size, particle density and rotating speed, the filtration efficiencies have been evaluated. It has been verified that the filtration efficiency is increased with the increments of the particle size, the particle density and the rotating speed of the cylindrical chamber.