Modeling of the Gas and Particle Flow in the Cyclone Separator using LES, RANS and Mathematical Models

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD researcher, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2 -1050 Brussels- Belgium.

2 Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2 -1050 Brussels- Belgium.

Abstract

Abstract:
The numerical simulation of the fluid flow and particle dynamics is presented by CFD simulations based on Navier-Stokes equations with the Reynolds stress turbulence model (RSM) and large eddy simulation (LES). A Lagrangian method is employed to track the particle motion and calculate the gas - particle separation efficiency in the cyclones for RSM and LES. According to the computational results, the differences of pressure, velocity and turbulence parameters of the gas flow are described to address the effects of the turbulence methodology on the obtained flow pattern of cyclones, especially for the tangential and axial velocity distributions. A comparison of experimental data, CFD simulation and different mathematical models has been performed to estimate the suitability of the three methodologies for estimation of cyclone performance and flow field. The results indicate that, the CFD approach can effectively reveal the mechanisms of gas-particle flow and separation in cyclones via RSM and LES, with overestimating of LES especially for pressure drop. Also a good matching is obtained from mathematical models for the cyclone pressure drop and cut-off size.

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