Performance evaluation of a hydrocyclone with a spiral rib for separation of particles

Several design modifications have been done to improve particle separation efficiency in a hydrocyclone. The effects of a rib which is introduced into the cylindrical part of the hydrocyclone are discussed here. CFD (Computational fluid dynamics) is a useful tool to study the velocity and pressure distribution of complex turbulent flow in a hydrocyclone. Flow simulations are carried out using a three-dimensional double precision, segregated, steady-state solver tool. Reynolds stress model is employed for turbulent model which is suitable for the anisotropic turbulent flow. A comparison study for pressure drop and flow velocity for the conventional and ribbed hydrocyclone have done. The obtained CFD simulated results in correlation with experimental data shows that the pressure drop reduces by 13.9% at a velocity of 2.5 m/s by using rib. An experimental finding shows that the cut size particle diameter for conventional and ribbed hydrocyclone are 36 mm and 28 mm respectively at the velocity of 2.5 m/s. (C) 2017 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.