Efficiency evaluation of vortex tube cyclone separator

The aim of the present investigation is analysis on separation phenomenon in a convergent cyclone separator affected by the structural factors including; throttle angle (15-45°), nondimensional throttle diameter (0.444-0.722), convergence main tube angle (2-12°), nondimensional convergent length (20-22.22), injector slots number (2-6) and injection pressure (4.5-6.5 bar), as well as the numerical optimization of these parameters in terms of the separation efficiency using 3D-CFD methods (RSM). The initial experimental results show that, the separation improves with an increase in the nondimensional throttle diameter up to DRth = 0.611, then beyond DRth = 0.611, the separation capabilities are decreased. Also, the cyclone equipped with the throttle angle of α = 30° provides 43.76% and 50.60% higher separation efficiencies as compared to the basic model. Furthermore, there are the initial optimum values (experiments) for the convergence angle and nondimensional length of main tube as β = 10° and LN = 21.66. Also, the separation efficiency improves with an increase in the slot number up to N = 4. The comparison between the computed and laboratory outputs presents a favorable agreement with the maximum and minimum relative differences of 6.22% and 0.93%, respectively. In this study, the experiments determine the correct ranges for the factors, then, the exact optimum values will be selected by the CFD models.