On the simulation of hydrocyclones using CFD

Ghadirian, Morteza; Hayes, Robert E.; Mmbaga, J.P.; Afacan, Artin; Xu, Zhenghe

doi:10.1002/cjce.21705

Cited by 24 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…It solves the larger-scale fluctuations while modelling the smaller-scale ones. Ghadirian et al [32] used LES as a tool to capture the turbulence of the hydrocyclone flow and achieved close agreement with experiment results. The Smagorinsky-Lilly model is the sub-grid scale model used in this study.…”

Section: Model Developmentsupporting

confidence: 70%

A Study of the Hydrocyclone for the Separation of Light and Heavy Particles in Aqueous Slurry

et al. 2015

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This paper describes an experimental and modelling investigation of a hydrocyclone for the separation of light and heavy particles in an aqueous slurry. The effects of overflow pressure, feed flow rate, particle size, vortex finder length, and particle concentration are investigated. A model based on the governing conservation equations for mass and momentum is solved using a commercial software package, Ansys 12 Fluid Dynamics. Turbulence is modelled using the large eddy simulation, and the discrete particle model is used to predict the particle separation. It is shown by experimentation and modelling that increasing the vortex finder length results in an increase in the recovery of light particles in the overflow. The recovery of light particles increases as their size increases. Increasing the feed flow rate and decreasing the solid concentration in the feed also improves light particle recovery. A computational model based on LES gave close agreement with experimental results for low overall particle concentration.

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Section: Model Developmentsupporting

confidence: 70%

A Study of the Hydrocyclone for the Separation of Light and Heavy Particles in Aqueous Slurry

et al. 2015

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“…This has led some of the researchers to use the differential Reynolds stress turbulence model to model the turbulence in hydrocyclones. However, some recent studies have shown that the large eddy simulation (LES) technique has given better flow field predictions over Reynolds averaged turbulence models in hydrocyclones with computationally practical grids.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

The dynamic behaviour of a large‐scale 250‐mm hydrocyclone: A CFD study

Vakamalla

Mangadoddy

2019

Asia-Pacific J Chem Eng

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The fluctuating feed solid contents usually cause instationarities in industrial hydrocyclone separation. This demands a controlling mechanism for stabilizing the separation effect. Understanding the transitional/dynamic behaviour is necessary to design such control mechanisms. In this context, the present paper is aimed to understand the dynamic behaviour of a large-scale 250-mm hydrocyclone in terms of air core development and solid concentration distributions using the modified mixture model coupled with large eddy simulation turbulence model. Numerically predicted two-phase flow field data is validated against laser Doppler velocimetry data at two axial positions. A close agreement is found between the modified mixture model predicted particle classification curve and experimental data. Longer residence time is observed with near cut size particle compared to the and fine size particles. Further, the analysis of the equilibrium radius of different solid particles inside the cyclone in the presence of turbulence is compared with the classical Kelsall experiments and observed that the classification of particles influenced by both the turbulent dispersion and the centrifugal force. Finally, the effect of feed solids concentration (10-50 wt%) on the hydrocyclone performance and particle segregation is also undertaken in this study.

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“…The PREssure STagering Option (PRESTO! ), recommended for highly swirling flows, was used for pressure spatial discretization. The QUICK algorithm (Quadratic Upwind Interpolation for Convective Kinematics) was employed for spatial discretization of the momentum, swirl, and Reynolds stresses equations.…”

Section: Numerical Scheme and Boundary Conditionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The QUICK algorithm (Quadratic Upwind Interpolation for Convective Kinematics) was employed for spatial discretization of the momentum, swirl, and Reynolds stresses equations. This high order scheme was employed to minimize numerical diffusion and improve convergence . The inlet boundary condition was assigned velocity inlet whereas the outlet boundary condition was set to pressure outlet.…”

Section: Numerical Scheme and Boundary Conditionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An integral criterion for turbulence suppression in swirling flows

et al. 2018

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A numerical study of flow in rotating pipes was conducted to elucidate the relative importance of convection and turbulence. CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulations of flow inside a rotating pipe (D ¼ 2 cm and L/D ¼ 20) were carried out, using the Reynolds Stress Model, for four different Reynolds numbers and a range of rotation numbers. The objective was to gain a deeper understanding of the interaction between fluid forces in swirling flows. This widely-studied model problem was used to ascertain the conditions under which computationally cheaper turbulence models such as the k-e model should be accurate.We identified a dimensionless rotation parameter that delineates the condition at which decreasing turbulence force equals increasing convective force as rotational speed increases. This dimensionless number establishes a criterion for knowing which forces are dominant, and thereby a rational basis for choosing turbulence models that are both cost-effective and accurate. We found a universal, critical threshold that determines when convective forces dominate over turbulence forces. This threshold determination is based on an 'integral measure criterion' of local forces in the radial direction. The threshold itself is defined by a dimensionless rotation number, N, based on the ratio of the circumferential and axial flow velocities. The critical value was found to be N cr ¼ 0.45. Above this, convection dominates; below it, turbulence dominates. This finding will facilitate selection of CFD models to optimize cost and accuracy for modelling swirling flows. For example, k-e models suffice when N cr < 0.45, but more complex models are required for higher values.

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On the simulation of hydrocyclones using CFD

Cited by 24 publications

References 19 publications

A Study of the Hydrocyclone for the Separation of Light and Heavy Particles in Aqueous Slurry

A Study of the Hydrocyclone for the Separation of Light and Heavy Particles in Aqueous Slurry

The dynamic behaviour of a large‐scale 250‐mm hydrocyclone: A CFD study

An integral criterion for turbulence suppression in swirling flows

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