Analysis and optimization of cyclone separators by using rans

Abstract

Many types of particulate matter collectors are used in the industry to separate particulate matter from the gaseous streams. Among various type of particulate collectors, cyclone separators are one of the most extensively used gas cleaning equipment because ofthey are inexpensive; easier to fabricate, and could be designed to stand under harsh operating conditions. Due to this extensive usage in the industry, many theoretical and experimental studies have been carried out and empirical models were developed to predict cyclone separator’s most important operational parameters. These models have many limitations of illustrating flow behavior properly due to the complex nature of the cyclone gas-solid flow behavior. Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) simulation could be useful to predict cyclone performance as an alternative approach. This work represents a CFD simulation of a Lapple cyclone separator using OpenFOAM software. Cyclone simulations have been carried out using turbulence models associated with the Reynolds Average Navier Stokes (RANS) equations. Multiphase Particle in Cell (MPPIC) method was used for the particle modeling, in which particle interactions with other particles were represented by models. The perditions of simulations have been compared both mutually and to literature in terms of cyclone pressure drop, gas-solid flow pattern and collection efficiency. RANS model fairly predict the gas-solid flow pattern of the cyclone. Pressure drop and collection efficiency of cyclone well fitted to the experimental results in the literature. Optimum values for inlet gas-solid velocity and particulate loading rate for the Lapple cyclone were obtained by RANS analysis. Pressure drop variation with gassolid inlet velocity which has been obtained by this analysis could be useful to minimize the energy requirement while maintaining the required collection efficiency.