Multi‐object optimization study on the performance of gas cyclones based on heterogeneous condensation and turbulent agglomeration

Abstract

Improving the separation efficiency of fine particles becomes more and more critical as environmental pollution aggravates. This study aims to investigate the effects of four key parameters on the performance of gas cyclones, including cyclone body height, particle concentration, initial supersaturation degree, and inlet temperature. Then, the two‐way coupling numerical model, in which is the process of heterogeneous condensation and agglomeration for insoluble fine particles, was achieved by user defined function. On this basis, the response surface analysis method and multi‐objective genetic algorithm were adopted to optimize the cyclone. The results show that when the particle concentration is less than 1000 mg/m3, the separation efficiency can reach above 95%. The initial supersaturation degree has the greatest effect on the separation efficiency and vapour consumption rate, while the cyclone body height is the most critical factor on the pressure drop. As the particle concentration increases, the separation efficiency decreases at first and then keeps almost stable. With the increase of inlet temperature, the separation efficiency is enhanced, and the pressure drop reduces. These research results can provide important guidance for the optimization and engineering application of this technology.

Insights into the hydrodynamics in the annular pipe of industrial‐scale top‐blown smelting furnace

“…As one of the recognized configurations of the centrifugal flow in the industrial apparatus, swirling flow has been prevalently utilized in gas turbine combustors, industrial burners, pressure swirl atomizers, nanotechnology, and fluidized beds, [ 1–4 ] thereby necessitating an in‐depth understanding of the non‐linear dynamics to predict the inherent characteristics of the flow. The swirling flow can be classified as confined pipe flows and unconfined jets.…”