Numerical Simulation of a Cyclone Separator for Small Heat Sources

¹ Center for Technology Transfer, University of Zilina, Univerzitna 8215/1, 010 26 Zilina Slovakia
² Department of Power Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Žilina, Univerzitna 8215/1, 010 26 Zilina Slovakia

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

Energy consumption and household emissions contribute significantly to overall pollutant emissions. To mitigate the impact of pollution, strategies such as optimizing airflow and flue gases, as well as capturing solid pollutants, can be employed. Cyclone precipitators serve as effective devices for separating solid pollutants from gas streams. There are two types: axial cyclones and reverse flow cyclones, which differ in their gas flow directions. In an axial cyclone, a vortex is generated upon entry into the cyclone via blades, while in a reverse flow cyclone, the vortex is created by the tangential inlet positioned at the top. This research focuses on reverse flow cyclones, which typically demonstrate higher efficiency compared to their axial counterparts. The performance of these cyclones is determined by factors such as absorption efficiency, pressure drop, particle size, gas entry rate, and gas residence time. Advancements in computer technologies have significantly enhanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD), allowing for the simulation of flow movement, mass and heat transfer, chemical reaction phenomena, and the resolution of mathematical equations through sophisticated computational processes. The primary CFD methods include the Euler-Euler approach, in which the particle phase is treated as a continuum, and the Euler-Lagrange approach, where each particle is characterized by its individual properties such as diameter, temperature, and density, which adds time complexity to the simulation. Additionally, there is a hybrid method known as the Euler-Lagrange approach (Multiphase Particle-In-Cell), where a single computational particle represents a group of real particles. In future research, the hybrid Euler-Lagrange method will be employed to simulate flue gas flow within a cyclone precipitator, which is proposed as an add-on device installed in the flue gas duct following a small heat source to reduce airborne emissions during heating.