Research on the Flow Field Characteristics of the Industrial Elliptical Cyclone Separator

Yongli Zhang; Kangshuo Li; Kaixuan Zhang; Guangfei Zhu; Zhanpeng Sun; Jianfang Shi

doi:10.3390/separations12020050

journal article Open Access Feb 13, 2025

Research on the Flow Field Characteristics of the Industrial Elliptical Cyclone Separator

Yongli Zhang

Kangshuo Li Kaixuan Zhang

Guangfei Zhu Zhanpeng Sun Jianfang Shi

Separations Vol. 12 No. 2 pp. 50 · MDPI AG

View at Publisher Save 10.3390/separations12020050

Abstract

A new type of elliptical cyclone separator has been proposed recently, but the flow field characteristics within the industrial device still need to be further investigated. In this paper, the characteristics of the flow field and particle motion inside the circular cyclone and the elliptical cyclone (with a long-to-short axis ratio of 1.2), with the equivalent hydraulic diameter of 300 mm, are comparatively analyzed using CFD methods. The results show that there is a significant change in the flow field distribution of the elliptical cyclone compared to the conventional circular cyclone. The static pressure gradient of the elliptical cyclone is anisotropic in the radial direction. The overall tangential velocity value is reduced, which reduces friction loss and makes the pressure drop of the elliptical cyclone significantly lower. More importantly, an acceleration/deceleration phenomenon of the airflow velocity occurs in the elliptical separator along the horizontal circumference, that is, the flow field is transformed into a circumferential fluctuating cyclonic field. This phenomenon induces an additional inertial separation effect that compensates for the unfavorable effects caused by the reduced centrifugal strength. Due to the coupling of centrifugal force and additional inertia effect, the residence time of small particles with a diameter of 1 micron in the elliptical cyclone is shorter, which helps to reduce the backmixing of particles and improves the separation efficiency of the elliptical cyclone. This study reveals the unique flow field characteristics of industrial elliptical cyclones, which is helpful to further understand the particle separation mechanism in the circumferential wave swirl field.

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Citations

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References

Details

Published: Feb 13, 2025
Vol/Issue: 12(2)
Pages: 50
License: View

Authors

Y

Yongli Zhang

Collaborative Innovation Center for Shandong’s Main Corp Production Equipment and Mechanization, Qingdao 266109, China; Academy of Agricultural Planning and Engineering, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100125, China; Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Primary Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100125, China

K

Kangshuo Li

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China

K

Kaixuan Zhang

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China

G

Guangfei Zhu

Academy of Agricultural Planning and Engineering, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100125, China; Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Primary Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100125, China

Z

Zhanpeng Sun

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China

J

Jianfang Shi

Academy of Agricultural Planning and Engineering, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100125, China; Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Primary Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100125, China

Funding

Collaborative Innovation Center for Shandong’s Main Corp Production Equipment and Mechanization Award: SDXTZX-04

Independent Research and Development Project of Agricultural Planning and Engineering Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Award: SDXTZX-04

Hebei Central and Local Science and Technology Development Fund Guidance Project Award: SDXTZX-04

Cite This Article

Yongli Zhang, Kangshuo Li, Kaixuan Zhang, et al. (2025). Research on the Flow Field Characteristics of the Industrial Elliptical Cyclone Separator. Separations, 12(2), 50. https://doi.org/10.3390/separations12020050

Research on the Flow Field Characteristics of the Industrial Elliptical Cyclone Separator

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