@inproceedings{2e9f7fdcbc01422b868b296b02a96d07,
title = "The effect of surface tension on air-core formation in a hydrocyclone",
abstract = "Due to the importance of hydrocyclones, in mining operations, they have been the topic of much computational fluid dynamics research in recent years. Research on air-core formation in hydrocyclones has been pivotal in improving the understanding of cyclone behaviour and performance. However, the effect of surface tension on the air-core has not been considered. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of surface tension on air-core formation in a hydrocyclones using computational fluid dynamics. The computational fluid dynamics simulations were fully transient, thus, capturing the full air-core formation. The Volume of Fluid multiphase model was used to model the air-core with surface tension incorporated using the Continuum Surface Stress model. Three cases were modelled: no surface tension, pure water (slurry with hydrophilic particles), and water with reduced surface tension (slurry with hydrophobic particles). The model reveals that surface tension has a negligible effect on the water phase. However, the maximum velocity of the air phase and the air mass-flow rate at the underflow decreases with increasing surface tension. The air mass-flow rate at the overflow increases with increasing surface tension.",
keywords = "Air-Core, CFD, Hydrocyclone, Surface Tension, VOF",
author = "M. Bhamjee and Connell, {S. H.} and Nel, {A. L.}",
year = "2014",
language = "English",
series = "9th South African Conference on Computational and Applied Mechanics, SACAM 2014",
publisher = "South African Association for Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (SAAM)",
booktitle = "9th South African Conference on Computational and Applied Mechanics, SACAM 2014",
note = "9th South African Conference on Computational and Applied Mechanics, SACAM 2014 ; Conference date: 14-01-2014 Through 16-01-2014",
}