The coordinated relationship between vortex finder parameters and performance of hydrocyclones for separating light dispersed phase

► We used Phase Doppler Particle Analyzer for the first time to systematically study the influence of the change of structure and size of vortex finder on the zero axial velocity wave zone (ZAVWZ), the tangential velocity gradient, the centrifugal separation factor and the distribution of axial velocity. The performance of the hydrocyclone was also examined under the same material and flow condition as the PDPA test for flow field. ► The size of vortex finder has great influence on the distribution of the centrifugal separation factor, but the different depth of vortex finder has little influence on the centrifugal separation factor. ► The greater the depth of vortex finder, the higher the degree of disturbance and the stronger the fluctuation of the tangential velocity gradient will be. ► The vortex finder diameter will not directly influence the shearing and breaking effect of the swirling field. ► With the reduction of the vortex finder diameter, the size of the dispersed particles gets smaller and the separation of the hydrocyclone gets better.