Numerical analysis of hydroabrasion in a hydrocyclone

Abstract

The velocity profiles and separation efficiency curves of a hydrocyclone were predicted by an Euler-Euler approach using a computational fluid dynamics tool ANSYS-CFX 14.5. The Euler-Euler approach is capable of considering the particle-particle interactions and is appropriate for highly laden liquid-solid mixtures. Predicted results were compared and validated with experimental results and showed a considerably good agreement. An increase in the particle cut size with increasing solid concentration of the inlet mixture flow was observed and discussed. In addition to this, the erosion on hydrocyclone walls constructed from stainless steel 410, eroded by sand particles (mainly SiO 2 ), was predicted with the Euler-Lagrange approach. In this approach, the abrasive solid particles were traced in a Lagrangian reference frame as discrete particles. The increases in the input flow velocity, solid concentration, and the particle size have increased the erosion at the upper part of the cylindrical body of the hydrocyclone, where the tangential inlet flow enters the hydrocyclone. The erosion density in the area between the cylindrical to conical body area, in comparison to other parts of the hydrocyclone, also increased considerably. Moreover, it was observed that an increase in the particle shape factor from 0.1 to 1.0 leads to a decrease of almost 70 % in the average erosion density of the hydrocyclone wall surfaces.

Analysis of Hydrocyclone Geometry via Rapid Optimization Based on Computational Fluid Dynamics

“…The RSM completely renounces the hypothesis of isotropic eddy viscosity, which has more potential to give accurate predictions for the complex flow field inside a hydrocyclone 64, 65. In line with previous research studies on hydrocyclones 66–69, the RSM is selected for the turbulent calculation model in this study. In the Fluent software, the inlet velocity and the outflow split ratio are selected, and the solid wall boundary is treated with the no‐slip condition 24.…”

Impact of inter-particle collision on elbow erosion based on DSMC-CFD method

“…When particle mass loading is increased, bend erosion is reduced due to modifications of particle impact velocity and angle, although wall collision frequency grows. Azimian and Bart (2016) proposed a model based on the Euler-Euler approach; the effects of input flow velocity, solid concentration, and the particle size on erosion depth and erosion spatial distribution are investigated. Zhu and Li (2018) used CFD-DPM Eulerian-Lagrangian approach to evaluate the anti-erosion effect.…”

Effects of Wall Roughness on the Separation Performance of Hydrocyclones under Different Inlet Conditions

“…7 These linings are not polished as the high concentration of coarse particles at the wall will quickly wear out the surface and even cause dimensional variations. 8,9 In addition, due to the difficulties in measurement and prediction in use, the wall roughness has been ignored in both theoretical and empirical models.…”

“…For example, the hydrocyclones used in mineral dressing plants are generally assembled with rubber or ceramic linings due to the abrasive nature of most slurries . These linings are not polished as the high concentration of coarse particles at the wall will quickly wear out the surface and even cause dimensional variations. , In addition, due to the difficulties in measurement and prediction in use, the wall roughness has been ignored in both theoretical and empirical models.…”