Computational Fluid Dynamics Applied to the Analysis of 10-mm Hydrocyclone Solids Separation Performance

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Computational Fluid Dynamics Applied to the
Analysis of 10-mm Hydrocyclone Solids Separation
Performance

• S. A. Grady, M. M. Abdullah, and G. D. Wesson

Department of Chemical Engineering Florida AM
University/Florida State University College of
Engineering
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Presentation Outline

• Research Objectives
• Experimental Procedures
• Solution Details Results
• Conclusions
• Continued Work
• Acknowledgments

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Research Objectives

• Develop Flow Field Predictions for Reynolds
  Stress Turbulence Model
• Comparison of Flow Field Properties for Different
  Geometries

• Validate Flow Field Prediction
• Solid Particle Motion
• Apply Drop Break-up Model with Separation for
  Liquid/Liquid Systems

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Experimental Procedure

• 10-mm Geometry
• Develop Grid
• Establish Boundary Conditions
• Perform RSM Simulation Using FLUENT
• Identify Appropriate Flow Structures

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3-D Cyclone Grid
Tangential Inlet Configuration
Volute Inlet Configuration
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Grid Information

• Tangential Inlet
• Hexahedral and Tetrahedral Cells
• 532,863 cells
• 1,095,577 faces

• Volute Inlet
• Hexahedral Cell Type
• 175,506 cells
• 544,937faces

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Boundary Conditions

• Flow Split
• Inlet Volumetric Flow Rate
• Plug flow profile normal to inlet face

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Results
Velocity profiles Velocity vectors Core properties
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Axial Velocity Profiles
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Tangential Velocity Profiles
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Velocity Vectors
Volute Inlet Configuration
Tangential Inlet Configuration
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Turbulence Intensity
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Pressure Distribution
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Locus of Zero Axial Velocity
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Locus of Zero Tangential Velocity
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Conclusions

• Volute Inlet Configuration Provides
• Greater symmetry about the axis of symmetry
• Lower turbulence intensity
• Reynolds Stress Model Predictions Provide

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Continued Work

• Model Validation Based on Separation Principles
• Particle migration analysis
• Turbulence intensity based drop break-up analysis
• Model Validation Based on LDV Experiments

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Acknowledgements
FAMU/NASA Graduate Fellowship Program Florida AM
University Foundation