Design and Operation Experience of Hexagon Structured Cyclone Separator Using Mathematical Models and Computational Fluid Dynamic Methodology

Design and operation experience of hexagon structured cyclone separator using mathematical models and computational fluid dynamic methodology

 

Abstract

A set of novel hexagon cyclones with hexagon outer cone and tube and were designed and optimized. By comparing with cylindrical cyclone and square cyclone, fine particles separation performance of hexagon cyclone separator were studied based on the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method. The Reynolds Stress (RSM) turbulence model combines with the discrete phase model (DPM) is used to simulate the three-dimensional gas-solid flow cyclone separator. Two optimized hexagon cyclone II and III were presented and three parameters are introduced simultaneously. The hexagon cyclone is characterized by higher particles separation gradient efficiency, and the simulated value indicates the Xr decreased 5.6% for the optimized hexagon cyclone II compared with that of cylinder cyclone. Considering particles trajectories and wall shear stress, the particles residence time (PRT) of hexagon cyclone is shorter, and the wall wear percentage is lower as well. The particles separation efficiency and inlet-outlet total pressure drop of hexagon cyclone demonstrate an excellent performance of instantaneous and rotational gad-solid flow separation. A high operating flexibility could be obtained at low inlet velocity that almost excludes the value of other cyclone separators. All of this represent a substantial potential superior in energy costs and facility integration.