A novel idea to increase the performance of a wheat flour cyclone separator: Controlling the reverse flow

In this study, as a novelty, the reverse flow effect on a wheat flour cyclone performance was evaluated. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation was realized using a Reynolds stress turbulence model. Also, particle-air interactions were modeled applying a discrete phase model. Besides the experimental measurement, the numerical simulation was conducted in a main (without reverse flow) and six various reverse flow levels (I = 0.0385 m(3) s(-1), II = 0.0396 m(3) s(-1), III = 0.0484 m(3) s(-1), IV = 0.0583 m(3) s(-1), V = 0.0704 m(3) s(-1), and VI = 0.0836 m(3) s(-1)) by CFD. The validation between pressure drop in experimental data and numerical results revealed a good agreement with a maximum deviation of 8.2%. Cyclone performance including pressure drop and separation efficiency was assessed in the mentioned reverse flow levels. Moreover, velocity field, centrifugal force, and turbulence parameter were evaluated, comprehensively. It was found that the flour separation efficiency increased with enhancing the reverse flow level to IV = 0.0583 m(3) s(-1), but decreased with a sharp slope in the reverse levels of V = 0.0704 m(3) s(-1) and VI = 0.0836 m(3) s(-1).

Automated summary

This study evaluated the reverse flow effect on a wheat flour cyclone performance using computational fluid dynamics simulation and experimental measurements. The results showed that the separation efficiency of wheat flour increased with increasing reverse flow levels, but decreased after a certain level.