Numerical simulation of the flow field in a dense-media cyclone

An analytical study of the flow and pressure fields inside a small-diameter dense-media cyclone is presented. The simulations were done with the help of the CFD software FLUENT. The following conclusions were reached: the tangential velocity tends to increase when moving from the center toward the exterior. The velocity then begins to decrease when the maximum velocity point is reached. The velocity field divides into two different sections; an inner swirling zone and an outer swirling zone. The axial velocity points down at the wall and gradually decreases toward the bottom. Continuing toward the bottom, the axial velocity passes through zero and then gradually increases in the opposite direction. In the cyclone's central zone, the pressure is negative and the suction of air allows an air column to be formed therein. At the center of the radial negative zone the pressure drops to its lowest value—phenomenon that has been verified by theoretical analysis. Some discrepancies between the observed data and the simulated data are noted when an analysis in made on a cyclone operating with either fresh water only or with water with added heavy particles.