Numerical Simulation on Optimization of the Inlet Aspect Ratio in a Gas-Liquid Cyclone Separator

The effects of inlet dimensions of a gas liquid cyclone on its performance and flow field were investigated using the RSM and DPM models. The results show that the maximum tangential velocity in the cyclone increases with decreasing of the inlet dimensions,but the pressure drop is lowered. When the inlet width is wider than the gap between the cyclone barrel and vortex finder wall, part of the incoming flow will impact the vortex finder and affect the flow field. When the inlet width or height decreases, the pressure drop has no significant change. When the width is reduced, the separation efficiency of cyclone can be improved, but the height is the opposite. When the ratios of inlet height and width to cyclone diameter, a/D and b/D, are 0.20, both dimensions lead to the close pressure drop, but the separation efficiency has a difference of 3.6%. When a/D is 0.38, the separation efficiency is 95.6%, and the pressure drop 340 Pa. When b/D is 0.25, the separation efficiency is 96.3%, and the pressure drop 320 Pa. The effect of inlet width is more significant than that of inlet height, especially for the separation efficiency of cyclone.