The Modification of the Dynamic Behaviour of the Cyclonic Flow in a Hydrocyclone under Surging Conditions

Abstract

The aim in this study was to determine how surging modifies the dynamic behaviour of the cyclonic flow in a hydrocyclone using computational fluid and granular dynamics models. The Volume-of-Fluid model was used to model the air-core formation. Fluid–particle, particle–particle, and particle–wall interactions were modelled using an unsteady two-way coupled Discrete Element Method. Turbulence was modelled using both the Reynold’s Stress Model and the Large Eddy Simulation. The model predictions indicate that the phenomenon of surging modifies the dynamics of the cyclonic flow in hydrocyclones and subsequently impacts separation. The results reveal that the primary cyclonic separation mechanisms break down during surging and result in air-core suppression. The flow and primary separation mechanism in the core of the hydrocyclone is driven by the pressure drop and the flow and primary separation mechanism near the wall is primarily driven by the gravitational and centrifugal force-induced momentum. However, surging causes a breakdown in this mechanism by swapping this primary flow and separation behaviour, where the pressure drop becomes the primary driver of the flow near the walls and gravitational and centrifugal force-induced momentum primarily drives the flow in the core of the hydrocyclone.