Numerical investigations of the cone-shaped vortex finders on the performance of cyclone separators

Performance analysis of 0.29 m diameter cyclone separator was done for cone shaped vortex finders having different in-built tapered angles varying from 0.0 degrees-10.0 degrees in steps of 2.5 degrees at different inlet velocities using Fluent 15.0. Increasing the angle from 0.0 degrees to 10.0 degrees at the lowest inlet velocity decreases the Stokes number (Stk(50)), which represents the cut-size of a cyclone separator, by 22.1 % at an expense of significant increase in Euler number (Eu), representing the dimensionless pressure drop, by nearly 46.3 %, whereas at the highest inlet velocity of 25 m/s, the Stk(50) decreases by 26.1 % and the increase in Eu lowers to 34.3 %. Beyond a critical angle of orientation, 5.0 degrees, a recirculation zone of increasing magnitude develops inside the vortex finder. The axial velocity, tangential velocity, and pressure drop across the cyclone have been validated against published literature; a grid independence test was also done successfully.