On the effect of solid particle sphericity on the tangential velocity in a cyclone separator

The Eulerian–Lagrangian computational approach is employed for the particles motion simulation within the cyclone separator. The 3 D Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations are utilized to calculate the flow field. CFD simulations are verified first with the available numerical and experimental data in the literature, then they are verified with the particle-laden flow experimental measurements carried out in a cyclone separator. The Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes equations (RANS) implying the realized k–ε turbulence model is used in the simulation of the gas phase, whereas the simulation of the particulate phase is performed utilizing 3-D particle tracking technique. The numerical model accounts for particle sphericity by applying three separate equations for the drag coefficient. The tangential velocity in the cyclone is obtained numerically for different particle sizes, sphericity and particle mass loadings. Verification of the numerical findings is performed by means of experiments, in which, the tangential velocity is measured using a five-hole probe. The experimental measurements show a considerable agreement with the available numerical data simulating particle laden flow for non-spherical particles in a cyclone.Copyright © 2021 American Association for Aerosol Research