Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Performance improvement of a cyclone separator using different shapes of vortex finder under high-temperature operating condition

  • Technical Paper
  • Published:
Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In the present study, the effect of inlet temperature on cyclone performance was numerically investigated based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach. The Eulerian–Lagrangian approach in conjunction with the Reynolds stress transport model was employed to solve the unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations. A series of numerical simulations were carried out at a wide temperature range of 293 K to 700 K. Conclusive results indicated that the separation efficiency of cyclone significantly decreased with any increment of inlet temperature due to weaker swirling flow across the cyclone at a higher temperature. In this condition, it is essential to find an impressive way to overcome this negative effect. Hence, four proposed shapes, namely divergent vortex finder and convergent vortex finder (CVF) were designed to use instead of base one under high-temperature operating conditions. The results extracted from CFD simulations demonstrated that the maximum tangential velocity was obtained about 2.2 times of the inlet velocity (v = 11.99 m/s) at T = 700 K for cyclone with CVF 1, while it was predicted 1.9 times of the inlet velocity for a base cyclone. Moreover, other cyclones generated tangential velocities even less than the base cyclone. Higher tangential velocity led to increase the centrifugal force and cyclone separation efficiency. Using CVF 1 instead of a base vortex finder significantly helped the cyclone to collect finer particles. Whereas the separation efficiency enhanced 9.5% for the particle size of 2 µm at T = 700 K and v = 20.18 m/s compared to the base cyclone.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

C D :

Drag coefficient

\(P_{{\text{f}}}\) :

Fluctuating energy production (m2/s3)

K :

Fluctuating kinetic energy (m2/s2)

Ρ :

Gas density (kg/m3)

\(\mu\) :

Gas dynamic viscosity (kg/ms)

\(\nu\) :

Gas kinematic viscosity (m2/s)

\(u_{i}\) :

Gas velocity in idirection (m/s)

g i :

Gravitational acceleration in idirection (m/s2)

\(\rho_{{\text{p}}}\) :

Particle density (kg/m3)

\(d_{{\text{p}}}\) :

Particle diameter (\({\upmu }\)m)

\(u_{{{\text{p}}i}}\) :

Particle velocity in i direction (m/s)

P :

Pressure (Pa)

\({\text{Re}}_{p}\) :

Relative Reynolds number

R ij :

Reynolds stress tensor

\(\varepsilon\) :

Turbulence dissipation rate (m2/s3)

v :

Velocity (m/s)

References

  1. Karagoz I, Kaya F (2007) CFD investigation of the flow and heat transfer characteristics in a tangential inlet cyclone. Int Commun Heat Mass Transf 34(9–10):1119–1126

    Google Scholar 

  2. Martignoni WP, Bernardo S, Quintani CL (2007) Evaluation of cyclone geometry and its influence on performance parameters by computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Braz J Chem Eng 24(1):83–94

    Google Scholar 

  3. Zhou F, Sun G, Han X, Zhang Y, Bi W (2018) Experimental and CFD study on effects of spiral guide vanes on cyclone performance. Adv Powder Technol 29(12):3394–3403

    Google Scholar 

  4. Caliskan ME, Karagoz I, Avci A, Surmen A (2019) An experimental investigation into the particle classification capability of a novel cyclone separator. Sep Purif Technol 209:908–913

    Google Scholar 

  5. Wang S, Li H, Wang R, Wang X, Tian R, Sun Q (2019) Effect of the inlet angle on the performance of a cyclone separator using CFD-DEM. Adv Powder Technol 30(2):227–239

    Google Scholar 

  6. Gao Z, Wang J, Wang J, Mao Y, Wei Y (2019) Analysis of the effect of vortex on the flow field of a cylindrical cyclone separator. Sep Purif Technol 211:438–447

    Google Scholar 

  7. Zhang T, Guo K, Liu C, Li Y, Tao M, Shen C (2018) Experimental and numerical investigations of a dual-stage cyclone separator. Chem Eng Technol 41(3):606–617

    Google Scholar 

  8. Xu M, Yang L, Sun X, Wang J, Gong L (2019) Numerical analysis of flow resistance reduction methods in cyclone separator. J Taiwan Inst Chem Eng 96:419–430

    Google Scholar 

  9. Li X, Song J, Sun G, Jia M, Yan C, Yang Z, Wei Y (2016) Experimental study on natural vortex length in a cyclone separator. Can J Chem Eng 94(12):2373–2379

    Google Scholar 

  10. Huang AN, Maeda N, Shibata D, Fukasawa T, Yoshida H, Kuo HP, Fukui K (2017) Influence of a laminarizer at the inlet on the classification performance of a cyclone separator. Sep Purif Technol 174:408–416

    Google Scholar 

  11. Fatahian H, Fatahian E, Nimvari ME (2018) Improving efficiency of conventional and square cyclones using different configurations of the laminarizer. Powder Technol 339:232–243

    Google Scholar 

  12. Wasilewski M, Brar LS (2019) Effect of the inlet duct angle on the performance of cyclone separators. Sep Purif Technol 213:19–33

    Google Scholar 

  13. Siadaty M, Kheradmand S, Ghadiri F (2017) Improvement of the cyclone separation efficiency with a magnetic field. J Aerosol Sci 114:219–232

    Google Scholar 

  14. Safikhani H, Mehrabian P (2016) Numerical study of flow field in new cyclone separators. Adv Powder Technol 27(2):379–387

    Google Scholar 

  15. Obermair S, Woisetschläger J, Staudinger G (2003) Investigation of the flow pattern in different dust outlet geometries of a gas cyclone by laser Doppler anemometry. Powder Technol 138(2–3):239–251

    Google Scholar 

  16. Zhao B, Su Y, Zhang J (2006) Simulation of gas flow pattern and separation efficiency in cyclone with conventional single and spiral double inlet configuration. Chem Eng Res Des 84(12):1158–1165

    Google Scholar 

  17. Balestrin E, Decker RK, Noriler D, Bastos JCSC, Meier HF (2017) An alternative for the collection of small particles in cyclones: experimental analysis and CFD modeling. Sep Purif Technol 184:54–65

    Google Scholar 

  18. Wasilewski M, Brar LS, Ligus G (2020) Experimental and numerical investigation on the performance of square cyclones with different vortex finder configurations. Sep Purif Technol 239:116588

    Google Scholar 

  19. Venkatesh S, Kumar RS, Sivapirakasam SP, Sakthivel M, Venkatesh D, Arafath SY (2020) Multi-objective optimization, experimental and CFD approach for performance analysis in square cyclone separator. Powder Technol 371:115–129

    Google Scholar 

  20. Fatahian H, Hosseini E, Fatahian E (2020) CFD simulation of a novel design of square cyclone with dual-inverse cone. Adv Powder Technol 31:1748–1758

    Google Scholar 

  21. Gupta AVSSKS, Nag PK (2000) Prediction of heat transfer coefficient in the cyclone separator of a CFB. Int J Energy Res 24(12):1065–1079

    Google Scholar 

  22. Shimizu A, Yokomine T, Nagafuchi T (2004) Development of gas–solid direct contact heat exchanger by use of axial flow cyclone. Int J Heat Mass Transf 47(21):4601–4614

    Google Scholar 

  23. Siadaty M, Kheradmand S, Ghadiri F (2018) Research on the effects of operating conditions and inlet channel configuration on exergy loss, heat transfer and irreversibility of the fluid flow in single and double inlet cyclones. Appl Therm Eng 137:329–340

    Google Scholar 

  24. Shin MS, Kim HS, Jang DS, Chung JD, Bohnet M (2005) A numerical and experimental study on a high efficiency cyclone dust separator for high temperature and pressurized environments. Appl Therm Eng 25(11–12):1821–1835

    Google Scholar 

  25. Gimbun J, Chuah TG, Fakhru’l-Razi A, Choong TS (2005) The influence of temperature and inlet velocity on cyclone pressure drop: a CFD study. Chem Eng Process Process Intens 44(1):7–12

    Google Scholar 

  26. Zhao B, Shen H, Kang Y (2004) Development of a symmetrical spiral inlet to improve cyclone separator performance. Powder Technol 145(1):47–50

    Google Scholar 

  27. Safikhani H, Akhavan-Behabadi MA, Shams M, Rahimyan MH (2010) Numerical simulation of flow field in three types of standard cyclone separators. Adv Powder Technol 21(4):435–442

    Google Scholar 

  28. Kaya F, Karagoz I, Avci A (2011) Effects of surface roughness on the performance of tangential inlet cyclone separators. Aerosol Sci Technol 45(8):988–995

    Google Scholar 

  29. Chuah TG, Gimbun J, Choong TS (2006) A CFD study of the effect of cone dimensions on sampling aero-cyclones performance and hydrodynamics. Powder Technol 162(2):126–132

    Google Scholar 

  30. Wan G, Sun G, Xue X, Shi M (2008) Solids concentration simulation of different size particles in a cyclone separator. Powder Technol 183(1):94–104

    Google Scholar 

  31. Elsayed K, Lacor C (2010) Optimization of the cyclone separator geometry for minimum pressure drop using mathematical models and CFD simulations. Chem Eng Sci 65(22):6048–6058

    Google Scholar 

  32. Elsayed K, Lacor C (2011) The effect of cyclone inlet dimensions on the flow pattern and performance. Appl Math Model 35(4):1952–1968

    Google Scholar 

  33. Fatahian H, Fatahian E, Nimvari ME, Ahmadi G (2021) Novel designs for square cyclone using rounded corner and double-inverted cones shapes. Powder Technol 380:67–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2020.11.034

  34. Azadi M, Azadi M, Mohebbi A (2010) A CFD study of the effect of cyclone size on its performance parameters. J Hazard Mater 182(1–3):835–841

    Google Scholar 

  35. Fatahian H, Fatahian E (2020) Improving efficiency of a square cyclone separator using a dipleg—a CFD-based analysis. Iran J Chem Chem Eng. https://doi.org/10.30492/ijcce.2020.127666.4129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Launder BE, Reece GJ, Rodi W (1975) Progress in the development of a Reynolds-stress turbulence closure. J Fluid Mech 68(3):537–566

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  37. Wang S, Fang M, Luo Z, Li X, Ni M, Cen K (1999) Instantaneous separation model of a square cyclone. Powder Technol 102(1):65–70

    Google Scholar 

  38. Hoekstra AJ, Derksen JJ, Van Den Akker HEA (1999) An experimental and numerical study of turbulent swirling flow in gas cyclones. Chem Eng Sci 54(13–14):2055–2065

    Google Scholar 

  39. Erol HI, Turgut O, Unal R (2019) Experimental and numerical study of Stairmand cyclone separators: a comparison of the results of small-scale and large-scale cyclones. Heat Mass Transf 55:2341–2354

    Google Scholar 

  40. Morsi SAJ, Alexander AJ (1972) An investigation of particle trajectories in two-phase flow systems. J Fluid Mech 55(2):193–208

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  41. Raoufi A, Shams M, Farzaneh M, Ebrahimi R (2008) Numerical simulation and optimization of fluid flow in cyclone vortex finder. Chem Eng Process 47(1):128–137

    Google Scholar 

  42. Parvaz F, Hosseini SH, Elsayed K, Ahmadi G (2018) Numerical investigation of effects of inner cone on flow field, performance and erosion rate of cyclone separators. Sep Purif Technol 201:223–237

    Google Scholar 

  43. Bergman TL, Incropera FP, Lavine AS, DeWitt DP (2011) Introduction to heat transfer. Wiley, Hoboken

    Google Scholar 

  44. Liu Z, Jiao J, Zheng Y, Zhang Q, Jia L (2006) Investigation of turbulence characteristics in a gas cyclone by stereoscopic PIV. AIChE J 52(12):4150–4160

    Google Scholar 

  45. Siadaty M, Kheradmand S, Ghadiri F (2017) Study of inlet temperature effect on single and double inlets cyclone performance. Adv Powder Technol 28(6):1459–1473

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nour Branch, Islamic Azad University, Nour, Iran

    Akbar Jafarnezhad, Hesamoddin Salarian & Jahanfar Khaleghinia

  2. Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Malek-Ashtar University of Technology, Shahin-shahr, Isfahan, Iran

    Saeid Kheradmand

Authors
  1. Akbar Jafarnezhad
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hesamoddin Salarian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Saeid Kheradmand
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jahanfar Khaleghinia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hesamoddin Salarian.

Additional information

Technical Editor: Daniel Onofre de Almeida Cruz.

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Jafarnezhad, A., Salarian, H., Kheradmand, S. et al. Performance improvement of a cyclone separator using different shapes of vortex finder under high-temperature operating condition. J Braz. Soc. Mech. Sci. Eng. 43, 81 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40430-020-02783-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40430-020-02783-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation