A 3D Numerical Investigation on Droplets Distribution in a Wave-Plate Separator

Abstract

The gas-liquid flow in a wave-plate separator is extremely complex due to its three-dimensional characteristic. Numerical simulation accomplished by former investigators using two-dimensional model may be appropriate for the iteration of pressure drop, but they were far from accurate in prediction of removal efficiency. To fill the gap, a three dimensional geometrical model of wave-plate separator is set up in this paper, RNG k-ε model is employed to compute the gas phase flow field, and the droplet trajectories were predicted applying the Lagrangian method. The turbulent dispersion of droplets were simulated by discrete random walk model. Using the assumption of a constant liquid loading of gas flow, simulation were accomplished for six different inlet velocities and two different droplet sizes. The influence pattern of gravity together with gas velocity on droplets distribution and the overall removal efficiencies were obtained.