3-D computational fluid dynamics for gas and gas-particle flows in a cyclone with different inlet section angles

A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) Reynolds stress model (RSM) was used to describe the gas and gas–solid flow in a cyclone with a scroll inlet duct at three different inlet section angles in relation to the cyclone body. The effects of the inlet section angles on the fluid dynamics inside the cyclone and on the performance parameters (collection efficiency and pressure drop) were analyzed by means of the finite volume method using a computational code and an industrial-sized cyclone for separation of gas-particle phases operated by Votorantim Cimentos Company. The numerical results show that the value for overall collection efficiency in this work increased to 77.2% for the 45° inlet section angle, while that for the normal inlet duct was 54.4% under the same operating conditions.