Performance of a hydrocyclone as a size separation unit is popularly judged using empirical or phenomenological models, with a predefined design under consideration. In contrast, here we develop a fundamental basis for analyzing the classification behavior of any hydrocyclone using experiment, simulation, and concurrent theory. Considering the G force (defined as the ratio of the centrifugal force to the weight of the suspended particle under consideration) distribution that has implications in creating separation of the suspended particles, here we bring out its consistent dependence on the essential governing parameters. The present estimation seems to agree well with the existing notions and available literature data, irrespective of the hydrocyclone size. Thus, our analysis is expected to provide a consistent basis for design of any tailormade hydrocyclone.
OATAO is an open access repository that collects the work of Toulouse researchers and makes it freely available over the web where possible. This is an author-deposited version published in : http://oatao.univ-toulouse.fr/ Eprints ID : 18144
a b s t r a c tA new mechanistic model on water split behaviour in a hydrocyclone has been developed based on the convoluted hydrodynamics of swirling flows in a confined environment. A comprehensive study has been accomplished on the genesis and subsequent distribution of G force based on the characterization of internal flow features of a 2 in hydrocyclone through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach. The difference between the magnitude of G force in cylindrical and spigot regions is taken into account as a new hydrodynamic parameter to compute the water split behaviour. Specifically, our analysis reveals a semi-empirical relationship between the water split with G force difference (Δ ) G , the vortex finder diameter (D vf ) and the spigot diameter (D sp ). The developed model is validated against experimental data and show good prediction accuracy. Unique aspect of the developed empirical model is that the underlying mechanism of incipient flow peculiarity is implicitly accounted to rummage the separation characteristics in a quantifiable manner. In addition to rationalize the flow split behaviour of hydrocyclones, this new hydrodynamic indicator seems promising to be used as a scale-up parameter in envisaging the separation performance for a given application.
The performance of a hydrocyclone as a separation device is never perfect and rigorous research efforts are still continuing along various directions towards achieving optimum solutions. The modus operandi of performance optimization is important for quick and non-invasive monitoring of hydrocyclone performance. Therefore, in the present study, an application potential of spray angle as a performance monitoring tool has been explored to investigate the operation state of a hydrocyclone. In this context, phenomenological features of spray discharge over a wide range of injection pressure and feed solid concentration have been investigated. The emphasis of the present study is to verse the amendment of the hydrocyclone operational state with the corresponding change in underflow discharge pattern. The pattern of the underflow discharge profile was captured using a digital camera and analyzed based on an image processing algorithm to detect the discharge angle under different operating and design conditions. Stability and reproducibility of the spray angle at fixed operating condition have also been confirmed. Subsequent analysis shows that the spray angle is sensitive to variations of operating and design variables. More specifically the effect of feed slurry concentration has been characterized and is of major importance for the transition to roping. On this basis, an attempt has also been made to develop an empirical correlation based on experimental data. The developed correlation shows that the discharge angle could possibly be used as a reliable tool to monitor hydrocyclone performance.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.