The cyclone gas–liquid separator: operation and mechanistic modeling

A research program was aimed to develop the cyclone gas–liquid separator. The program focused on testing scaled-down models and prototypes and developing mechanistic modeling for the phase separation and flow hydrodynamic processes. This paper describes the operational principles of the cyclone separator, discloses laboratory and field data and presents the modeling foundations. The laboratory tests were performed in downsized models operating with mixtures of air and water or water-based viscous liquids. The analysis of experimental data, extensive flow visualization and the identification of the operational constraints set the basis for the mechanistic modeling. The capability of the model to represent the separation processes was checked against field tests conducted with actual fluids in full dimension prototypes. Based on these results, prospective field applications are also presented.