Effect of the Inlet Geometry on the Flow in a Cylindrical Cyclone Separator

Abstract

The use of Gas-Liquid Cylindrical Cyclone (GLLC©) separators for gas-liquid separation is a new technology for oil and gas industry. Consequently, it is important to understand the flow behavior in the GLLC© and the effect of different geometrical geometries to enhance separation. The main objective of this study is to address the effect of different inlet geometries on the flow behavior in the GLLC© by measuring velocity components and the sum of the axial and tangential velocity fluctuations inside the GLLC© using a Laser Doppler Velocimeter (LDV). Three different inlet geometries were considered, namely, one inclined inlet, two inclined inlets, and a gradually reduced inlet nozzle. Axial and tangential velocities and turbulent intensities across the GLLC© diameter were measured at 24 different axial locations (318-900mm below the inlet) for each inlet geometry. Flow rates of 0.00454 and 0.00063m3∕s were selected to investigate the effect of flowrate (Reynolds number) on the flow behavior. Color contour maps color contour plots of axial and tangential velocity and the sum of the axial and tangential velocity fluctuations revealed some remarkable details of the flow behavior.

The effect of cyclone inlet dimensions on the flow pattern and performance

“…However, they did not study the effects of the inlet section dimensions. Also Erdal & Shirazi [30] investigated the effect of three different inlet geometries (one inclined inlet, two inclined inlets and a gradually reduced inlet nozzle) on the flow behavior. They reported that, the gradually reduced inlet nozzle geometry is the preferred geometry.…”

Numerical Study of Flow Field in New Design Dynamic Cyclone Separators

“…The right side of Equation 6is the drag force due to relative slippage of particles and flow. Drag force, generally, is the impelling force and drag coefficient can be computed using Equations 7and (8) and Re P is Reynolds number of the particles which is calculated using Equation (9). Impact of the particles to the walls of the cyclone is treated with elastic coefficient of 0.8 and it is assumed that impact between particles is negligible.…”

“…The effect of the angle of entrance was investigated by Qian and Zhang [7], Qian and Wu [8]. Furthermore, Erdal and Shirazi [9] studied three different geometries for entrance namely tilted single entrance, tilted double entrance, conical entrance and their effect on flow behavior inside the cyclone. Zhao et al [10] compared three different entrance geometries namely single tangent entrance, direct symmetrical helical entrance and converging symmetrical helical entrance using a function of particle size and flow rate.…”

Unjuk Kerja Separator Gas Liquid Cylindical Cyclone (GLCC Metering Loop)

“…Untuk LCO, hasil penelitian ini sejalan dengan penyelidikan sebelumnya terkait Leq, zero-net liquid flow holdup dan daerah pengoperasian (operational envelope). Parameter bentuk inlet lebih lanjut dikembangkan oleh Erdal dan Shirazi [6] dengan mencoba saluran inlet tangensial tunggal, ganda dan mengadopsi prinsip nosel, meskipun penelitian ini belum memberikan perbaikan kinerja GLCC yang signifikan untuk geometri "gradually reduced inlet nozzle" jika dibandingkan dengan bentuk lainnya.…”