Effects of geometry and solid loading on the performance of gas cyclones

Abstract

The influence of the dust loading and gas inlet and outlet dimensions on the performance of four industrial scale (0.45 m diameter) cyclones has been investigated. All experiments were performed under ambient conditions at an inlet velocity of 15 m s-1 over a loading range of 0.5-130 g solid per m3 air. Measurements were made of the pressure drop, gravimetric efficiency and grade efficiency. Increasing solid loading reduces the pressure drop, to an extent consistent with the empirical equation of Smolik. It also increases collection efficiency, and the gross effect is consistent with the empirical approach of Zenz. The effect on grade efficiency is qualitatively consistent with the mechanism proposed by Muschelknautz, that solids above a 'critical load' are removed independently of their size, but the values of the critical load are not consistent with Muschelknautz' estimates. © 1992.