A CFD Analysis of Cyclone Separator

Cyclone Separator is a type of air quality control device which uses physical phenomenon of centrifugal acceleration to separate particulate matter. The efficiency of cyclone separator to eliminate particulate matter is average as compared to other devices and techniques but its efficiency can be increased by altering physical dimensions. Pressure drop and different velocities generated through cyclone body is the most important parameter to predict its performance. Solving the flow and particle transport equations using CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) approach is one of the methods that can be followed with specific sets of equations and model. The present study is carried out to analyse the performance of three models of cyclone separator with different vortex finder diameter using RSM (Reynolds stress model) methodology to predict turbulent flow behaviour and DPM (Discrete phase model) to trace the particles trajectories through each cyclone model. The equations are solved computationally using the CFD based software FLUENT (v18.2). The case in the study is computed using an assumption of one-way coupling in the cyclone separator. The graphs and contours of velocities and pressure drop are analysed and compared. Collection efficiency is determined by injecting a fixed number of particles from inlet and counting the trapped particles.