Numerical simulation of an internal flow field in a uniflow cyclone separator

• The characteristics of an internal flow field were studied in a uniflow cyclone separator.
• The motion of solid particles was simulated using the Eulerian–Lagrangian approach.
• A diverging channel plays an important role in particle separation.
• The periodic oscillation of air core movement occurred below the vortex finder.
• Separation efficiency increased rapidly with an increase in particle diameter.

The characteristics of a particle separator were numerically investigated using the concept of a uniflow cyclone. The objective of the current study was to predict the internal flow field and to study the effect of flow streams on particle movement in a uniflow cyclone separator. The motion of solid particles in a flow field was simulated using the Eulerian–Lagrangian approach. Inlet temperature (Tin = 300–1100 K) and pressure (Pin = 1–9 bar) were varied for the initial conditions. Dust–gas mixtures (i.e., particle-laden flow) were injected into the separator inlet at uin = 3–15 m/s. Calculation results showed that the Eulerian–Lagrangian approach was useful for modifying the two-phased viscous turbulence flow. The recirculation zone was predicted under a vortex finder, while a helical flow developed in the carrier gas outlet. Separation efficiency decreased with an increase in dust–gas temperature and pressure and increased with an increase in particle loading, inlet velocity, and particle diameter.

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