Numerical Simulation of Air Flow inside Acoustic Cyclone Separator

Abstract

This paper presents a novel concept of cyclone separator, where sound waves are used to agglomerate fine particles. Sound waves generated by Hartmann acoustic generator are introduced into the secondary (core) air flow of cyclone separator. Results of numerical simulation of air flows inside conventional and acoustic cyclone separators are presented. It is shown that intensive pressure pulsations occur in acoustic generator's reflector. These pulsations generate an acoustic field. It is experimentally established that the average separation efficiency of conventional cyclone separator reaches 87.2% only, while separation efficiency of acoustic cyclone separator is approximately 97.5%. Obtained results show that air flows inside cyclone separator can be investigated numerically.

An Efficiency Study of the Aerodynamic Sound Generators Suitable for Acoustic Particle Agglomeration

“…Authors in [1,2] established that the relative air humidity measured above an open surface tank is decreased up to 1.6 times in the presence of an acoustic field when compared with the humidity obtained from the conventional push-pull air removal system. Authors in [3] increased the average cleaning efficiency of cyclone separator from 87.2 to 97.5 by placing an aerodynamic sound generator at the bottom of the conical part of the cyclone separator. Authors in [4] improved significantly the fine particle removal efficiency with the combined effect of acoustic agglomeration and vapor condensation, reaching up to 80% with a sound pressure level of 150dB.…”