Hot Zone in a Hydrocyclone for Particles Escape from Overflow

Abstract

Hydrocyclone separation techniques have recently been used in an increasing number of applications. Three-dimensional simulation of a hydrocyclone was accomplished under three different flow splits S, say, 0.14, 0.25, and 0.44. Supplementary to standard Reynolds stress turbulence model (RSM), hydrodynamic behavior of flow in the hydrocyclone could be realized more clearly. With a discrete-phase model (DPM), particles in the hydrocyclone could be traced and the performance of the hydrocyclone could be evaluated. This simulation showed that the position or shape of a vortex finder might be a factor influencing short circuit. Particles with large densities have long residence times at small size, while particles with small densities have long residence times at large size. A hot zone that particles flow into will eventually flow out through overflow is three-dimensionally displayed.

Keywords:

• CFD
• Discrete phase
• Efficiency
• Hydrocyclone
• Residence time

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors thank the National Science Council of the Republic of China, Taiwan, for financially supporting this research under Contract No. NSC 95-2214-032-051.