CFD modelling of particle classification in mini-hydrocyclones

Vega-Garcia, Dennis; Cilliers, J.J.; Brito-Parada, Pablo R.

doi:10.1016/j.seppur.2020.117253

Cited by 35 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Several attempts have been made to devise a model capable of providing an accurate quantitative description of the operation of hydrocyclones. Empirical models have been developed earlier by Bradley and by Plitt, to be later revisited by Nageswararao et al Semiempirical models and first-principle models have been proposed among others by Neesse and Schubert, − Bohnet, Braun, and Dueck et al , A review of the available models, their characteristics, and their pros and cons has been reported elsewhere. ,,, Alternatively, computational fluid dynamics has been used successfully for accurate modeling − and for the development of novel hydrocyclone designs, − traded off against a higher computational cost.…”

Section: Hydrocyclone Selection and Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Selective Dissolution Process Featuring a Classification Device for the Removal of Fines in Crystallization

Binel

Mazzotti

2020

Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.

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The presence of fine crystals is a common condition that may hinder the downstream processing of a powder obtained through a crystallization process. This study investigates through simulations a process featuring a hydrocyclone for their removal. Hydrocyclones, solid–liquid separation devices widely applied in several fields of chemical engineering, enable the classification of suspended solids based on their size. The classification step allows for a selective dissolution of the fine crystals, thus leading to a more efficient process when compared to a simpler temperature cycle, where partial dissolution of larger crystals is deliberately though reluctantly accepted. A pathway for the selection of a suitable hydrocyclone design is outlined, and a novel graphical tool useful to describe the performance of the device for the fines separation task is presented. The selection of the operating variables and their operating window is discussed, and their effect on the overall process is elucidated. The design space and the performance of the selective fines removal process is investigated by coupling for the first time the detailed modeling of fines dissolution by heating and crystallization by cooling, both based on population balance equations, and the hydrocyclone behavior, for which an established model due to Braun is used. Simulation runs are presented for different scenarios and allow assessing the process performance in terms of reductions of fines, processing time, and energy demand, thus providing a valuable insight into its applicability.

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Section: Hydrocyclone Selection and Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Selective Dissolution Process Featuring a Classification Device for the Removal of Fines in Crystallization

Binel

Mazzotti

2020

Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.

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“…Based on a prior study, the turbulent kinetic energy needs to be second-order, and the Reynolds stresses need to be the first order. 59 To ensure the accuracy of the solution, the criterion for the convergence of the scaled residuals was set to 1 × 10 −5 . The particle trajectories were calculated using the discrete phase model (DPM), considering the volume fraction of the particles to be less than 10%.…”

Section: A Numerical Simulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Particle movement and fluid behavior visualization using an optically transparent 3D-printed micro-hydrocyclone

et al. 2020

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A hydrocyclone is a macroscale separation device employed in various industries, with many advantages, including high-throughput and low operational costs. Translating these advantages to microscale has been a challenge due to the microscale fabrication limitations that can be surmounted using 3D printing technology. Additionally, it is difficult to simulate the performance of real 3D-printed micro-hydrocyclones because of turbulent eddies and the deviations from the design due to printing resolution. To address these issues, we propose a new experimental method for the direct observation of particle motion in 3D printed micro-hydrocyclones. To do so, wax 3D printing and soft lithography were used in combination to construct a transparent micro-hydrocyclone in a single block of polydimethylsiloxane. A highspeed camera and fluorescent particles were employed to obtain clear in situ images and to confirm the presence of the vortex core. To showcase the use of this method, we demonstrate that a well-designed device can achieve a 95% separation efficiency for a sample containing a mixture of (desired) stem cells and (undesired) microcarriers. Overall, we hope that the proposed method for the direct visualization of particle trajectories in micro-hydrocyclones will serve as a tool, which can be leveraged to accelerate the development of micro-hydrocyclones for biomedical applications.

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“…They found that this inlet structure can effectively improve the classification performance of their hydrocyclone compared to conventional tangential inlets. Vega-Garcia et al 23 has explored the influence of overflow and underflow size on classification performance of a mini-sized hydrocyclone through CFD modeling and experiments. Ye et al 24 developed a conical-section hydrocyclone and found that the combination of moderate conical length and modified cone with wider radial space near the underflow is effective in improving the classification performance for ultrafine particles.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A New Method for Continuous Classification of Fine Catalyst Particles from a Slurry Bed Fischer–Tropsch Reactor

Zhang

Wang

et al. 2023

Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.

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During the operation of an industrial Fischer−Tropsch plant, fine catalyst particles are continuously generated in the slurry bed, which results in a series of problems, such as reduced flowability of liquid from the filter, reduction of unit processing capacity, and increased catalyst consumption. To solve these issues, a new classification method based on hydrocyclone was proposed to classify fine particles continuously. Cold model experiments using a mimic liquid−solid medium were conducted to verify the feasibility of this new method. The optimized structure and operating conditions were determined by studying the influences of structural parameters, operating conditions, and material physical properties systematically. Side-stream tests were then conducted to evaluate the actual classification performance. The results showed that the performance of the new classification method is primarily influenced by the medium temperature, i.e., the liquid viscosity. When slurry temperature is 200 °C, the coarse loss ratio can be reduced to less than 5% in a single-turn classification test and the fine removal ratio can be maintained at around 30%. With further increases in the temperature (i.e., at lower liquid viscosities), better classification performance can be expected. Finally, a prediction model was established, which can predict the whole classification performance of the new classification method. The model can be used to guide the process design and operation of this method.

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CFD modelling of particle classification in mini-hydrocyclones

Cited by 35 publications

References 35 publications

A Selective Dissolution Process Featuring a Classification Device for the Removal of Fines in Crystallization

A Selective Dissolution Process Featuring a Classification Device for the Removal of Fines in Crystallization

Particle movement and fluid behavior visualization using an optically transparent 3D-printed micro-hydrocyclone

A New Method for Continuous Classification of Fine Catalyst Particles from a Slurry Bed Fischer–Tropsch Reactor

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