Development of a cyclone separator with high efficiency and low pressure drop in axial inlet cyclones

• We compare the performances of six types of vortex finders used in cyclone separator.
• The cyclone’s performance can be improved by a reflux cone added in vortex finder.
• The cyclone’s performance can be improved gaps added in vortex finder.
• Cyclone with reflux cone and spiral gaps in vortex finder has the best performance.

This study was aimed at optimizing the configuration of a vortex finder to improve the separation efficiency and reduce the pressure drop of cyclone separators. Six types of cone-shaped vortex finders were designed and tested for their performance on gas–solid separation at different flow rates and particle concentrations. The experimental results demonstrated that the reflux cone and gaps (straight and spiral) in a vortex finder could improve separation performance of the cyclone separator through reducing the pressure drop and increasing the overall separation efficiency and grade efficiency. The new cyclone separator with the vortex finder (Type D) that had both reflux cone and spiral gap (15° dextrorotation) configurations had the best separation performance, which reduced the pressure drop by 73% and increased overall separation efficiency by 9% as compared to the cyclone separator with the basic vortex finder (Type A). This new cyclone separator removed 99% particles with a diameter bigger than 10 μm. Our study indicated that the modified vortex finders (especially with both reflux cone and spiral gap configurations) have great potential for their application in gas-solid separation for natural gas cleaning.

The short flow from the vortex finder entrance is cut down and the separated particles escaped from the vortex finder enctrance would be decreased, so that the overall separtion efficiency increases by using the staight gaps (Type C) and spiral gaps (Type D). The reflux cone (Type B) increases the efficiency that is a result of the restraining escape of the separated particles. The short flow from the vortex finder entrance is cut down and the separated particles escaped from the vortex finder entrance would be decreased, so that the increases by using the straight gaps (Type C) and spiral gaps (Type D).Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide