Simulation of gas flow pattern and separation efficiency in cyclone with conventional single and spiral double inlet configuration

Abstract

The numerical simulation of the fluid flow and particle dynamics is presented by CFD technique to characterize the performance of two types of cyclones with the conventional single inlet (SI) and spiral double inlets (DI), respectively. The Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations with the Reynolds stress turbulence model (RSM) for fluid flow are solved by use of the finite volume method based on the SIMPLE pressure correction algorithm in the fluid computational domain. A Lagrangian method is employed to track the particle motion and calculate the gas-particle separation efficiency in the cyclones. According to the computational results, the differences of pressure, velocity and turbulence parameters of the gas flow are described to address the effects of the inlet geometry on the flow pattern of cyclones. Especially for the tangential velocity distribution, a key flow parameter in cyclones, are analysed using the classical Rankine vortex theories. Furthermore, the separation performances of cyclones are predicted, with the comparison of experimental data and theoretical model. The results indicate that the CFD method can effectively reveal the mechanism of gas-particle flow and separation in cyclone with different inlet configuration. © 2006 Institution of Chemical Engineers.