Effect of Reynolds Number on the Stokes Number of Cyclones

By using dimensional analysis, the Stokes number based on the cut diameter was predicted to be a function of the Reynolds number and the geometry of the cyclone. Data from various investigators were plotted versus the Reynolds number. At lower Reynolds numbers, the Stokes number decreased with increasing Reynolds number. At higher values of the Reynolds number, the data are inconclusive. For some data sets, the Stokes number approached a constant value, whereas, for other sets, the Stokes number decreased with increasing Reynolds number. The dimensionless data from this study can be used to estimate the cut diameter of geometrically similar cyclones and to make preliminary estimates for a cyclone of a different design.