Analysis of vortex flow in a cyclone separators based on the energy gradient theory

• Published in: IOP conference series. Materials Science and Engineering 2015-01, Vol.72 (4), p.42037
• Main Authors: Liu, L, Dou, H S, Chen, X P, Zhang, H Z
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Computational fluid dynamics; Cyclone separators; Cylinders; Energy gradient; Finite volume method; Flow simulation; Flow stability; Fluid flow; Low pressure; Mathematical models; Navier-Stokes equations; Pressure drop; Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes method; Reynolds stress; Separators; Stability analysis; Turbulence; Turbulent flow; Velocity; Velocity distribution; Vortices
• ISSN: 1757-899X; 1757-8981; 1757-899X
• DOI: 10.1088/1757-899X/72/4/042037

Numerical simulation is carried out for the tangential inlet cyclone separator with different dimensionless parameter (the ratio of cone-tip diameter and cylinder diameter d/D is 0.342, 0.355, 0.368, 0.382 and 0.395). Then, the stability of the vortex flow in the separator is analyzed with the energy gradient theory. The governing equation is the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations with Reynolds Stress Model (RSM). The finite volume method is employed to simulate the flow and the velocity, pressure, separation efficiency and the turbulent intensity are obtained. Results show that the location of the maximum tangential velocity is near the axis, and the highest outer vortex tangential velocity is achieved at the dimensionless rate of 0.355. When the d/D=0.355, the tangential velocity distribution in the outer vortex is the most close to velocity distribution characteristics of free vortex. The free vortex distribution has the best stability from the energy gradient theory which may be the reason why optimal performance can be achieved at d/D=0.355. To achieve high efficiency and low pressure drop for the device studied, d/D=0.355 is the optimal dimensionless diameter ratio.