Numerical investigation of the hydrocyclone vortex finder depth on separation efficiency

Lesiba Mokonyama, Thokozani Justin Kunene, Lagouge Kwanda Tartibu

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Hydrocyclones are devices used in numerous chemicals, food, and mineral-related industrial sectors for the separation of fine particles. A d50 mm hydrocyclone was modelled with the use of the Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation, ANSYS® Fluent 2021 R1. The vortex finder depth was varied from 20 mm, 30 mm, and 35 mm to observe the effects of pressure drop and separation efficiency from a varied vortex finder depth and characteristics of the air core. The numerical methods validated the results observed from different parameters such as volume fraction characteristics based on CFD simulations. The tangential and axial velocities increased as the vortex finder length increased. It was found that as the depth of the vortex finder is increased, particle re-entrainment time in the underflow stream increases, and separation efficiency improved.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication12th South African Conference on Computational and Applied Mechanics, SACAM 2020
EditorsSebastian Skatulla
PublisherEDP Sciences
ISBN (Electronic)9781713840770
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020
Event12th South African Conference on Computational and Applied Mechanics, SACAM 2020 - Cape Town, South Africa
Duration: 29 Nov 20211 Dec 2021

Publication series

Name12th South African Conference on Computational and Applied Mechanics, SACAM 2020

Conference

Conference12th South African Conference on Computational and Applied Mechanics, SACAM 2020
Country/TerritorySouth Africa
CityCape Town
Period29/11/211/12/21

Keywords

  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Hydrocyclone
  • Pressure Drop
  • Vortex Finder

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computational Mechanics
  • Mechanical Engineering

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