Simulation and Experimental Validation of an Axial-Flow Hydrocyclone
Abstract
Axial-flow hydrocyclone separators are a potentially viable alternative to the conventional reverse-flow designs; particularly on the smaller scale where a large pressure loss in detrimental. An experimentally validated Large-Eddy-Simulation model of a cylindrical axial-flow miniature hydrocyclone has been developed. Using this model, an investigation into the flow structure of the hydrocyclone has been conducted, and an investigation into separation efficiency and pressure characteristics has been conducted as part of the experimental validation. It has been found that these devices can potentially separate particles with a significantly lower pressure drop than the conventional reverse-flow hydrocyclones due to their high intensity swirl and simpler flow structure.
Keywords
Hydrocyclone; Computational Fluid Dynamics;